Refurbished Laptop Faqs

Writen by Max Bellamy

Refurbished laptops are the repaired versions of faulty laptops. They are renovated by the manufacturer and the error free versions are sold in the market at a lower price through remarketing services. These are available even in the most sophisticated models.

How are the laptops refurbished?

The refurbishment of laptops is a systematic process, which differ according to the manufacturer. A thorough evaluation of the technical proficiency is done after the clean up. Damages such as scratches are also repaired. The renovated system is tested vigorously to avoid future errors.

What about the warranty of a refurbished laptop?

Most companies offer a minimum warranty of six months. It varies with the policy of the manufacturer. Extended warranty up to two years can be availed from some retailers.

What are the selection criteria for a refurbished laptop?

Refurbished laptops must be selected according to the purpose of the laptop. The reputation of the manufacturer is a major factor. The cost and warranty also has to be evaluated while selecting.

Which are the leading companies in the refurbished laptop market?

IBM, Dell, Compaq Armada, Toshiba, Panasonic, and Fujitsu are some of the leading manufacturers. Some resellers such as UsedLaptops.Com, USAnotebook.com etc are also focused in the refurbished laptop market.

What is the difference between refurbished laptops and used laptops?

Refurbished laptops are renovated faulty laptops whereas used laptops are the resale laptops. Refurbished laptops are usually rebuilt by the manufacturer. They upgrade the facilities of the laptop to the present market conditions. Used laptops are often just polished by the reseller before resale. They cannot provide the technical excellence of the refurbished laptop.

Are there any other price advantages associated with refurbished laptops?

The price of the refurbished laptops will be reasonable because of the increased competition. Apart from the attractive pricing, most of them offer discounts and promotional offers. Discounts of 5% are available for students, senior citizens and military people. Bulk purchases enjoy special discounts.

Refurbished Laptops provides detailed information on Refurbished Laptops, Cheap Refurbished Laptops, Dell Refurbished Laptops, IBM Refurbished Laptops and more. Refurbished Laptops is affiliated with Used Cheap Laptops.

A Guide To Inkjets

Writen by Richard Romando

The rate of advancement of the computer technology has been increasing at an astonishing pace. Computers of all sorts, from the personal computers to monstrous mainframes, are at work helping individuals from all walks of life. Countless technologies have been created in the past decades and are continuously developed and refined at present. Of these incredible computer-related technological advancements, printing devices have drawn an enormous patronage from consumers.

Printers can be found practically everywhere and come in numerous models and designs. For all the advancements in graphic design, architecture, advertising, and other highly image-conscious industries, more and more printers are being introduced to the market that cater to the different needs of the rising number of consumers. There is an array of printing technologies available nowadays, namely dot-matrix, solid ink, thermal wax transfer, dye sublimation, and by far the top two most widely recognized, laser and inkjet printers.

Inkjet printers and laser printers are marketable because of their wide variations and relatively cheaper prices. A person can choose from scores of models and designs that meet his needs and suit his standards. Laser printers produce images by fusing dry ink or toner and electricity from a controlled laser beam. They can reproduce vibrant outputs in just a short while, although a person has to spend an additional amount for printers with a faster speed and better print quality. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, cost less than most laser printers; operate noiselessly, unlike dot matrix and daisywheel printers; and work without warm-up time as opposed to thermal wax and dye sublimation.

Inkjet technology produces texts and images through "jets" or small nozzles. It makes use of a series of little nozzles through which generated ink droplets are sprayed onto the printing surface, creating an image. The image of the paper is composed of diminutive dots with a resolution ranging from 360 to 720 dots per square inch or "dpi." This technology is riding a surge of popularity for its continuously decreasing price but escalating graphic capacity. As a result, people who are in need of photorealistic-quality color printing but who do not have a lot to spend resort to inkjet printers.

Inkjets provides detailed information on Inkjets, Inkjet Cartridges, Inkjet Printers, Color Inkjets and more. Inkjets is affiliated with Inkjet Printer Cartridges.

Refill Printer Cartridges

Writen by Elizabeth Morgan

Printer cartridges are used in printers to store the ink and apply it in an even form to paper, cardboard, or fabric. Most printers are provided with two printer cartridges, one for black and white printing and the other for color printing. The manufacturer of the printer usually provides both the cartridges. Each of the ink cartridges house one or more compartments that act as a reservoir for the ink, an electric contact, and a chip that is connected to the printer. The cartridge is a removable component of any inkjet or laser printer that is placed closely above the printing surface of the paper.

Since purchasing a new cartridge at regular intervals might prove expensive, many people prefer to go in for the refilling option. There are many companies that refill printer cartridges. It works out to be an economical option over purchasing a new printer cartridge. Refilling printer cartridges is one of the easiest solutions to the problem of high printer ink costs. There are kits available to facilitate the refilling of printer ink cartridges. There is a common belief that the refill kits are messy and a painstaking job to handle. However, the process of refilling ink cartridges has come a long way, and, because of the advancement of technology, the entire process is quicker and tidier. In order to refill ink in a printer cartridge, the instructions provided must me followed. If any of the instructions are overlooked, the result can be a mess.

Many online vendors undertake printer cartridge refill jobs. They also take bulk orders and assure next day, doorstep delivery. A certificate given along with the refilled cartridge guarantees the efficiency of the product. Refill kits are available for most of the leading printer cartridge brands, such as Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Olivetti, BT, DELL, and Samsung.

Printer Cartridges provides detailed information on Printer Cartridges, Discount Printer Cartridges, Inkjet Printer Cartridges, Buy Printer Ink Cartridges and more. Printer Cartridges is affiliated with Printer Ink Refills.

Dont Compromise When Buying Computer Printer Ink

Writen by George Wood

You should not compromise when you have to replace computer printer ink. You have to get the ink that your printer requires. As you know the computer printer ink is expensive, but you will get what you pay for definitely. In fact you are going to damage or ruin your printer by using or trying to use an inferior ink.

Even you can use generic printer cartridges that are much cheaper than their brand name. You have to use at the end of your printer. In fact, some printers won't accept generic cartridges at all, and for some of those who do, the quality is inferior. Beside to that you can void the manufacturer's warranty for your printer if you are going to use a generic printer ink cartridge. In fact for further information you have to read the terms of your warranty.

You should not rely on the cost of the ink cartridges before you purchase a printer that you need to ensure and you should not don't compromise on computer printer ink without investigate. In this way, you will be prepared for the cost when it's time to replace the ink cartridges. You should not purchase a printer whose cartridges are more expensive than the printer itself. No doubt you will save money in the long run by doing your homework.

There are some printers which are intentionally sold at very cheap in order to ensure repeated ink cartridge sales. In fact it will make more sense to spend more on a quality printer. You should replace ink cartridges which are not expensive.

You need to ensure that the ink quality is acceptable to you if you are considered to purchase ink. If possible, try to see a sample from the printer. However this is a major purchase to get a quality printer. Then you will be happy to replace the ink cartridges as the need arises.

You can usually get the quality ink for less if you can buy them in bulk. If your printer uses both a color cartridges and a black, you likely use more of one cartridge than the other. If you are going to shop in bulk, just buy the one you will use most.

The original cartridge manufacturers will generally give you the better quality prints out of any others alternatives. They are the most costly, however.

If you buy cartridges in bulk do not forget that they do dry out. All ink cartridges have a best before date on the box. If they sit very long before you use them, the ink will dry out which means your bulk savings will disappear out the window.

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Setting Up A Tape Backup Strategy For Your Business

Writen by Linus Chang

So you know a little bit about tape backup, but you're wondering how to set up a tape backup strategy for your business. Well, let's take a look at 3 simple steps to setting up a complete backup solution.

Step 1: Purchase your tape backup hardware

Firstly, purchase the tape backup hardware. If you need to perform file server backup (or Exchange Server backup or SQL Server backup) for small business, then one of the following tape drives should suffice:

* Travan cartridge drive (up to 10 Gb)
* DDS tape backup drive (up to 20 Gb)
* DDS tape backup drive with hardware data compression (up to 40 Gb)

Then purchase the necessary tapes for your backup rotation strategy. A good Grandfather-Father-Child variation will require 10 tapes or 14 tapes.

Step 2: Purchase your tape backup software

When it comes to tape backup software, one option is to use NTBackup -- the standard Windows backup program. The problem with NTBackup is that it is too hard to use. While an expert should be able to schedule backup jobs using NTBackup, what you really want is something a novice can setup in minutes.

What you really want to do is invest in some quality backup software for your business? Well, if you run a small business, you'll want to avoid those expensive brands! They're designed for large corporations. You should really be looking for software for tape backup that does everything you need, but is affordable at the same.

Look for a backup program that's designed specially for small business instead. Look for a product that is advertised as being simple to use. Remember, you don't want software that requires an expert to run it. Download a trial version of the backup software and try it out for a month or so. If everything works smoothly and you're happy with the product, go ahead and make a purchase!

Step 3: Continually perform your backups

So you've attached the tape drive to your server and installed the software. You've configured the software to run your tape rotation scheme and everything's raring to go. So how do you go about performing backups?

Well, at the end of each working day, put the tape into the drive. And as obvious as this sounds, the correct tape should be placed in the drive. For example, placing the "Week 2" tape instead of the "Week 3" tape in the tape drive will reduce the effectiveness of your tape rotation strategy! Your tape backup software should take care of the rest.

In addition, you should monitor the results of each backup to check for errors. For example, if a tape wears out and data cannot be verified, you need to take action and replace that tape. If some problem prevented a backup from completing, you need to know about it so that you can re-run the backup the next morning.

Be sure to also follow your manufacturer's guidelines for drive cleaning and maintenance.

Final notes

As strange as this seems, you should be at the mercy of your tape backup software. And the more control it exerts over you, the better! Let me explain...

NTBackup assumes that you insert the correct tape and it doesn't inform you of any errors. You are responsible for selecting the tape according to your tape rotation scheme, and the onus is on you to read result logs and discover if any errors occurred.

This means that the file backup process is tedious and prone to human error. A complete solution for tape backup should take charge of your backup strategy for you.

A tape backup software should email tape rotation instructions and the results of backups to you or your secretary, making your task far simpler and minimizing the chance of human error. Select the right server backup software and you're already most of the way to implementing a complete tape backup strategy for your business.

Linus Chang is a backup expert and the lead developer of BackupAssist -- backup software that is simple and affordable, and perfect for small and medium businesses. Protect your Windows servers, including SQL Server and Exchange Server, to tape, REV drive, hard drive, NAS and more, at a fraction of the cost of other backup programs. Transforms NTBackup into a script-free and simple-to-use tool.

Wireless Networking Cards A Closer Look

Writen by Kevin Erickson

Ok, so you've read all the cool stuff and heard all the great things about going wireless and then it just hit you. However, that works you don't know or care but it hit you. That was it, the little voice in your head said, "do it" and that was that. Unfortunately, that was awhile ago and since that "moment" you've done your part. You did some research into what was needed to upgrade your computer but it's all just so darn confusing. You keep thinking, why can't someone just give me a few basics so I feel more comfortable about this whole "upgrading" process.

If the above paragraph describes you and if you're the typical computer user it probably does, then it's time to exhale, calm your nerves, grab a latte and settle in because hopefully this article can shed a little understanding on at least one aspect of going wireless - the network card.

Like most "typical" computers users, you love your computer and you've pretty good at surfing the net, using email and you've probably even gotten fairly proficient at using your favorite word processing program but when it comes to some of the more technical aspects of your computer or computing in general, you are probably about as close to a "deer in the headlights" as you can get.

Hey, no problem because you've stumbled across a source that hopefully can shed a little light into that wireless networking card abyss. See, those searching skills do come in handy.

Let me start out by saying that when it comes to selecting a wireless networking card you can pretty much ignore all the hoopla except for the following three key factors: range, speed, and standards. Ok, let's do it and take a look at a few specifics.

Below is a typical specification for wireless networking card. This one just happens to be for a Linksys wireless PCMCIA laptop card. Frankly, I can't tell you if this card rocks or it stinks, I'm simply using it as an example. And with that, let's take a closer look.

Here's the description from Amazon: 11 Mbps high-speed transfer rate; interoperable with IEEE 802.11b (DSSS) 2.4Ghz-compliant equipment; plug-and-play operation provides easy set up; long operating range (up to 120m indoor); advanced power management features conserve valuable notebook PC battery life; rugged metal design with integrated antenna; compatible with virtually all major operating systems; works with all standard Internet applications; automatic load balancing and scale back; model no. WPC11

Like I mentioned above, most of the specs can be ignored. To start with, "compatible with virtually all major operating systems." That means nothing. It's simply fluff to expand the description to make the card appear better.

Range

Take a look at where it says "up to 120m indoor". This means that the maximum range of the wireless card is 120 meters -- sure if everything was perfect. And by the way, one meter is equal to about 39 inches or 3 feet. However, in the real world where nothing is ever perfect interference caused by thick walls, other power sources and the list goes on could reduce this number by as much as 90% - so just be aware of this.

And without enough range, your wireless network is no longer wireless and therefore - worthless. It serves no purpose to go wireless if you have to keep your computer next to the wireless port in order for it to work or if you have multiple computers to keep them all in the same room to get them to connect to each other.

As a rule of thumb, unless your walls are made of drywall or wood, it's best to buy about four times the strength you think you'll need. Even in perfect conditions, get twice what you think you'll need - just to be safe.

Speed

Take another look at the description and find where it says Mbps. Mbps is the speed of the wireless connection - 11 Mbps is about one and a half megabytes per second. All 802.11b wireless cards have a speed of 11Mbps, while 802.11g cards run at 54Mbps or nearly 5 times faster. And of course, the next generation will be even faster.

Clearly, speed is important to your wireless network because it's going to directly influence how long you have to wait to connect, how fast pages upload, file transfer rates, and your overall computer experience is always better when things download faster. I don't know about you but if something takes more than a few seconds to download, I start to get impatient.

However, because there are currently very few Internet connections running at speeds over 11Mbps - it's really as much as you need, at least for now.

Standards

You've probably noticed in the above specs the number 802.11 followed by a letter b. The b is the standard that the wireless device conforms too. Currently, there are 3 standards - a, b and g.

In a nutshell, 802.11b and 802.11g are compatible with each other while 802.11a isn't compatible with either. Due to the incompatibility issues with the other two standards and because it's an older less robust standard I would stay away from cards using it.

Between b and g, b is cheaper but slower, while g is more expensive but faster. It's also worth considering that adding a b-speed device to a network that has g-speed devices will often slow the whole network down to b-speed, making the g-devices pointless. Basically, the network will operate at the speed of its weakest link.

If your wireless device doesn't conform to the right standards, it's not going to be much good to you. I often see uninformed people bidding for used wireless equipment on eBay, not realizing that it's going to be terribly slow and may not work with other equipment they might have. Always check what standard the wireless equipment is using and if you don't know the 802.11 letter, don't buy it!

This article may be reproduced only in its entirety.

A great place to research and find answers to everything "wireless" is Zephyr Net. Simply click the Wifi Hotspot link below.

Kevin Erickson is an entrepreneur and writer. For other articles he's written visit: Wifi Hotspot | Business VoIP | Trade Show

Looking For Information On Cd Duplication And Replication

Writen by Gonzalo Roca

Time is one of the most important things we have that we are always short on. One way to maximize your time is to have the most up to date technology available. But, this can be costly. If you are in the market to purchase CD duplication or replication products, you won't have to spend a lot of money to get quality products to help you with this. Depending on what type of CD duplication you are interested in, you will more then likely find just what you need online and do so quickly.

But, what is it that you need your CD duplication to accomplish? For many, simple CD duplication equipment is needed to download music, movies, or files from the Internet. Other things you may need CD duplication for include producing your own music or coping that of another's. What will you use your CD duplication equipment for? What are your needs on a broad scale and then on a specific level as well? By defining what your needs in CD duplication are, you will effectively be able to get the right product for you.

Once you know what you need in your CD duplication equipment, you can begin your search. First, you will find that most of all the products you can imagine in CD duplication are available for you to purchase online. While in most cases, we are talking about components to add to your own personal computer, there are many other products for more sophisticated needs as well. First, let us speak of the more sophisticated of CD duplications. If you are looking to have CD's duplicated on a large scale, you may wish to consider looking for a company to manufacture them for you. Unless you plan to do this often, having someone else handle your CD replication can be a great time saver and money saver as well.

Now, if you are looking for CD duplication for your computer, you face a completely different situation. First of all, most new models of computers actually come with CD burning features that can allow you to download off the internet a wide variety of things including music, movies, software and more. You can also copy CD's from one drive to the next. So, for personal use, CD duplication software may already be on your computer.

Regardless of what type of CD duplication you are planning to do, you can find all the necessary equipment and materials available to you online. What you need to do, though, is determine if you need to purchase CD duplication equipment or possibly enable a company to service your CD duplication needs. Or, you may simply want or need to own your own CD duplication equipment. In that case, you'll be surprised at all that is available to help you. You may even be able to purchase an add-on to your current computer that will allow you to do your own CD duplication. Whatever you need, there is something out there to provide it to you!

Gonzalo Roca
http://www.cd-duplication-directory.com

How To Choose A Computer Power Supply

Writen by Matthew Thompson

What does "ATX" stand for? ATX stands for Advanced Technology eXtended. In summary it defines a set of standards in measurements and forms that helps make things such as computer power supplies interchangeable with one another.

ATXPowerSupplies.Com writes this article on choosing the right power supply for your computer to help you in your decision making process. Whether you are purchasing a power supply for your new computer or just replacing an old one we hope this will help in the selection process.

The first question to ask yourself is, "Is my power supply an ATX form factor?". If you have this information available then the selection process is much easier. The information is sometimes stamped somewhere on the power supply or may be contained in the manual for your existing computer. If you're looking for an ATX power supply make sure the power supply is an ATX form factor, not micro ATX or any other.

Perhaps the most method to use in selecting a power supply is comparing the physical dimensions. Make sure your computer case can accommodate the the Height, Width, and Depth of the power supply. If you are replacing an existing power supply then take measurements of it before you discard it. Take a look at the graphic above to gain a better understanding of Height, Width, and Depth. If your power supply is considerable smaller than the typical dimensions of our atx power supplies then it could be possible that you have a micro atx power supplies. If you feel you might have a micro atx power supply then you could compare its dimensions with our 200W micro atx power supply.

After you have chosen your power supply based on physical dimensions you need to take a look at what connectors you need on your power supply. Different power supplies have different connectors so it's best to choose one with connectors that meet your every need. It's okay if you buy a power supply and not use some of the connectors. You can just leave them hanging unconnected. Below is pictures of some common connectors found on atx power supplies: atx connector

20 pin ATX Connector - The 20 pin ATX connector that inserts into an atx motherboard. If your motherboard has a slot for the 20 pin connector shown in the graphic they you can be almost 100% certain that an ATX power supply is required for your motherboard.

Be sure to pay close attention to the number of pins. On some computers we've found that this connector contains 24 pins instead of 20.

24 pin ATX Connector - Some computer motherboards require a 24 pin ATX Connector. Given our past experience we advise purchasing a power supply with a 24 pin connector built in rather than a converter that converts the 20 pin to a 24 pin. The converters tend to have poor power distribution while a power supply with the 24 pin connector built in will be powered directly from the power supplies.

P4 Connector - Most motherboards that have Intel Pentium 4 processors will have a slot on the board for this P4 connector. If your motherboard has this slot then make sure you get a power supply with a P4 connector on it. If your motherboard doesn't have a slot for this connector it is still okay to purchase a power supply with this connector, and leave the P4 connector unconnected.

4 pin IDE Connector - This is the IDE connector that supplies power to your hard drives and cdroms. Most atx power supplies have 4 connectors of this type included. If you need more than 4 connectors it's best to purchase y-splitters to increase the number of connectors. Purchasing power supplies with more than 4 connectors can often be much more costly than purchasing a y-splitter.

4 pin floppy connector Floppy Connector - The 4 pin floppy connector supplies power to any floppy drives that may be on your computer. Some of the card reader drives use this connection also. Most atx power supplies have two of these connectors included.

6 AUX connector - Look on your motherboard and see if there is a slot that accepts the 6 pin AUX connector. If there is a slot for it then chances are you're going to need it.

Sata connector - Hard drives and other devices with sata connectors as shown here are becoming more and more popular. We aren't sure exactly what the advantages are to this technology, but if you have any devices in your computer that use the sata connector you're going to need a power supply with sata connectors.

You need to know how much power you're going to need. It's okay to buy a power supply that is larger than necessary because the power supply will step down to your power requirements. On the other hand, buying a power supply that is too small for your requirements will be annoying. Many times people will complain of their computer rebooting for no reason at all. Nine times out of ten the reason for this is an undersized power supply. Many companies that sell computers will install an undersized power supply to save money and increase profit margins. Buyer beware!

This article is supplied by ATXPowerSupplies.Com as a complimentary service. It may be reproduced only if credit is given, and all hyperlinks remain intact in the article.

Copyright 2005 Two Point Enterprise

Matthew Thompson, Webmaster
http://www.atxpowersupplies.com

Wireless Notebooks What You Need To Know About Going Wireless

Writen by Titus Hoskins

It's not exactly breaking news that our world is becoming increasingly wireless. Many of our daily activities that once needed a wired connection can now be done wirelessly!

The cell phone craze was probably the first revolution that seemingly happened overnight. The convenience of being constantly connected or plugged in to the your business, friends, or family was an undeniable need that was quickly met. For many people it has become a necessary in their daily lives.

Wireless computers, notebooks or laptops may just be the second wave in our struggle to becoming a totally wireless world. The ability to be constantly connected to your business and/or loved ones is revolutionizing the way we use computers and the Internet.

The ultraportable, versatile little notebook computer, will no doubt play a major leading role in our wireless struggle to be constantly connected. It's the 'portability' of the notebook or laptop computer that holds the most appeal and is its major selling point. And its popularity is growing.

It is estimated that over 42 million computer notebooks will be produced this year in 2005. The market for laptop and notebook computers is growing at a rate of 20% each year according to Taiwanese notebook makers. And they should know -- they make 70% of these notebooks or their components for such major players as Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Gateway.

But it's the portability and wireless communication these devices offer that's increasing their popularity among most users.

Just how is this wireless communication accomplished by the notebook or laptop you ask?

Wireless notebooks uses three major wireless data standards in order to transfer data. The one that is probably most common is 802.11b, also called Wi-Fi which stands for Wireless Fidelity.

Wi-Fi or 802.11b transfers data wirelessly at a maximum rate of 11Mbps for up to 150 feet. It uses the 2.4GHz radio spectrum and although it says 11Mbps, you will probably only get around 4-6Mbps in actual use. But this is enough bandwidth for high speed Internet, gaming and most file transfers.

The 802.11a is another standard that uses the 5GHz radio spectrum, so it has 8 channels available instead of only 3 that's available with 802.11b. The 'A' version also permits a larger transfer, at a maximum of 54Mbps.

The other standard, 802.11g, is a hybrid of 'A' and 'B' -- its also capable of 54Mbps but it uses the 2.4 GHz spectrum and is compatible with 802.11b devices. Some notebooks like the Fujitsu LifeBook N6010, have a tri-mode 802.11a/b/g wireless system that uses all three forms! The next technology in Wireless Communication is 3G EV-DO! Sounds like one of those funny robots from Starwars -- but it stands for evolution-data optimized. This new technology will change how we view and use the world wide web.

Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO began commercial operations in Oct. of 2003 and is now expanding to over 125 million US consumers by the end of 2005. With download speeds of 400 to 700 kbps and bursts up to 2 Mbps, 3G has really given us wireless Internet this time. It has or will turn the Internet into a truly wireless system that's devoid of any cables or lines. It will be everywhere -- no space within our biosphere will be without the Internet very soon.

Of course, it should be kept in mind, that any group of computers can be made wireless by using a wireless router and a wireless network adaptor for each computer. Also, many notebooks and computers come with a Bluetooth module, which allows for wireless communication between any sort of electronic devices -- from cell phones to computer to stereos to headphones.

However, if you're setting up a wireless network or if you're using your wireless notebook or laptop at hotels and airports -- security will be a concern. Anyone within distance, possessing the right equipment and a little ingenuity may get access to this wireless system. For major corporations or the lowly homeowner; safeguards need to be taken to prevent unwanted visitors from interrupting your peaceful wireless universe.

There are usually two basic methods of securing wireless networks, WEP and MAC address filtering. The MAC (Media Access Control) is the physical address or unique hardware identifier given to each device in the network. Then you manually enter a list of addresses that can use or access your wireless network.

The other filtering process is more secure, WEP or Wireless Encryption Protocol requires a shared key between the users and then using this key to encrypt and de-encrypt data that's transmitted between your network users.

Many major hotel chains and other businesses are now offering 'Wi-Fi' services as an added convenience to their patrons. These 'hot spots' are popping up everywhere, even at some gas stations. You may need to sign in or get a password or key to access these services.

But like your cell phone conversations, any radio transfer or transmission will not be as secure as a wired connection. Keep this in mind if privacy is a major concern for you. But don't let it stop you from enjoying the convenience, portability and practicality of your wireless notebook or laptop.

It's a wireless world after all.

For More Information on Computer Notebooks and Laptops Click Here: Computer Notebook Guide

Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins of http://www.bizwaremagic.com

This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Refurbished Apple Laptops

Writen by Max Bellamy

Refurbished Apple laptops are popular refurbished products in the IT market. Apple Macintosh laptops are available as two types of refurbished products such as manufacturer refurbished laptops, also known as Apple certified reconditioned laptops, and renowned exterior professional refurbished laptops.

Apple certified reconditioned laptops are refurbished by Apple engineers. These laptops are thoroughly examined by experts for quality assurance. The customer has the option to add or remove components according to individual choice while buying refurbished Apple laptops. It is also possible to upgrade the memory, hard drives and other accessories to suit individual needs.

Refurbished Apple laptops undergo a rigorous reconditioning process before they are despatched for sale. Products that are returned by retailers come under the section of Apple?s Return and Refund Policies. Eventhough these returned laptops might have only minor technical faults, all units pass through Apple?s quality refurbishment procedure. Each refurbished Apple laptop undergoes complete examination including full burn-in testing. Replacement of defective parts if any and thorough cleaning and scrutiny of individual parts are done while reconditioning. After that the laptop is repacked with proper user manuals, cables, and a new serial number for identification as a refurbished item. All refurbished Apple laptops have AC adapters, battery, and pre loaded operating system. Before sending to the refurbished selling section, the product is once again quality checked. Basic technical procedures of Apple?s finished good testing process are used in the refurbishment of Apple laptops.

Refurbished Apple laptops are cheap compared to new ones. Genuine Apple components are used for replacement of defective parts to maintain a perfect quality. Apple?s one year limited guarantee is given for refurbished Apple laptops. These products are also granted separate hardware warranty for three months. Buying extended warranty coverage of Apple care protection plan offers three years of world class maintenance support. You can also avail of discounts and promotional sales of refurbished Apple laptops.

Renowned exterior professional refurbished Apple laptops also undergo severe checking similar to factory refurbished laptops. These products also are provided warranty for specific periods.

Refurbished Laptops provides detailed information on Refurbished Laptops, Cheap Refurbished Laptops, Dell Refurbished Laptops, IBM Refurbished Laptops and more. Refurbished Laptops is affiliated with Used Cheap Laptops.

Custom Desktop Computers

Writen by Marcus Peterson

Personal computers today are custom-made for various uses. One can buy media center PCs that are solely built to watch movies, rip music, edit movies, and the like. Gaming enthusiasts can also get desktop computers that will enhance game play and provide high-quality graphics so that every game can play itself to its fullest worth. The question here is: how do you get a good deal?

Completely assembled PCs are the most expensive. So the cheapest way to go about getting a desktop computer is to purchase individual computer components such as monitors, DVD/CD drives, motherboards, cabinets, and the like from various manufacturers. In doing so, you can get a fabulous desktop computer, assembled for your needs without straining your budget.

There are many manufacturers out there who custom make desktop computers for users. Examples of such manufacturers include IBM, Compaq, HP, Acer and the like. And if you want a fast mean machine, you can scout around and pick up amazing deals on ultra-fast graphics cards, sound cards and processors to build that dream desktop computer.

Also, hunting for individual computer components is easy, and you can assemble your own PC. While doing so, make sure everything you buy at least has a 2-3 year warranty period. An ideal desktop computer would have a 2.4 GHz – 3 GHz chip as its brain, a 17" monitor, 256MB of RAM, a good motherboard and a standard keyboard and optical mouse.

Today, if you mix and match you will get the perfect fit – and if you want the perfect custom-built desktop computer, you have got to mix and match. It is also recommended that if you are going to invest in a custom desktop computer, invest in quality parts. Get good PC components, even if they are a tad more expensive, so that they don't become obsolete by the time you get them home.

Desktop Computers provides detailed information on Desktop Computers, Cheap Desktop Computers, Custom Desktop Computers, Used Desktop Computers and more. Desktop Computers is affiliated with Flat Screen Computer Monitors.

What To Look For In A Video Card

Writen by John Gibb

The proper graphics card can help speed up almost any system by taking the responsibility of many visual functions, allowing the CPU to work more effectively in other areas. Let's take a look at a few of the key features to look for in a graphics card.

Most all graphics cards are based on an Nvidia or ATI Radeon chip set. For the casual home or office user, any of today's video cards are adequate. If you're just doing Excel spreadsheets you might not need to spend $500 on a video card, but if you have a 21" monitor and want to view that spreadsheet at 1600 x 1200 with a high refresh rate, it may be worth the investment. Where things start to change is on high end games, that's where the Geforce and Radeon cards make the difference.

Memory Matters

As with every other facet of computing, more is always better. However, you don't need a 256MB card if you're just going to be using Quickbooks. For most office applications, a 32 or 64MB card is adequate. For gamers or those doing some sort of video production work, a minimum of 128MB is recommended, with a strong lean to 256. The more memory your video card has, the higher the resolution, and the larger the number of colors it can display.

Connectors and Interfaces

A standard SVGA card is going to have a single VGA connector. Higher end cards will have an S-Video and a DVI connector as well. What this means is that you have to pay attention to what type of monitor you have. DVI is all digital, like HDTV. The S-Video can be used to output to your TV for gaming on a larger screen.

Now a days, you will have either a PCI or an AGP slot for your video card. AGP stands for Advanced Graphics Port and as you might have guessed, means there are enhancements in performance when using and AGP slot. If your current video card is built into the motherboard, it is likely robbing the system of valuable memory because the system RAM is shared with it. This is another good reason to upgrade your video card.

John Gibb manages http://www.computer-and-printer-reviews.com The site dedicated to computers and printers.

Desktop Computer Basics

Writen by Dave Stewart

When buying a computer it helps to know some basic information about components and processes. Hopefully these explanations will give you a better understanding of how a computer functions, and enable you to ask the salesman some productive questions.

CPU
The CPU or central processing unit, basicly the CPU interprets instructions and processes data generated by computer programs. The CPU is often seen as the 'brain' of the computer. The central processing unit controls other components.

Motherboard
The motherboard is often refered to as the mainboard, system board or mobo. The motherboard is the primary circuit board, Most components (CPU, Memory, Graphics cards, Sound cards, Hard drives, Optical devices, Network cards etc..) are attached to the motherboard. Either by cables or by plugging directly into the motherboard slots. Mainboards come in a range of sizes, or factor forms, however the most common is ATX.

RAM
RAM or Random Access Memory describes storage formats and equipment that allow data to be accessed in any order (random), not just sequence. RAM can be thought of as the 'working space' of your computer. Typically memory is cleared when the computer is shut down or reset.

Hard Drive
Hard drives allow the storage of data on the computer. They are generally found in two formats IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) or SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment). Hard Drives utilise magnetism to read and write data. A hard disk uses rotating 'platters' or disks which are made up of millions of 'bits'. These 'bits' can be aligned in two directions, one direction is assigned '0' the other '1'. Data is stored in binary code by exerting a magnetic force on each bit, causing it to align in the desired value.

Graphics Card
The Graphics card or Video card provides, as the name suggests, the video output from your computer. Some cheaper motherboards, refered to as "All-in-One" Motherboards have onboard graphics. However these are very low end graphics solutions, and will only be useful for those not wishing to do anything but basic word proccessing, internet browsing and work. For those that use their computer to play games a seperate video card is a must.

Sound Card
Sound cards provide the audio output for your computer. Nearly all motherboards come with an onboard sound module these days, which for most people will be more than sufficient. However seperate sound cards can be purchased for those seeking higher quality, more feature rich audio.

Optical Drives
Optical drives (DVD/CD readers and writers) are similar to standard CD or DVD players. They utilise the same technology to perform the same tasks as the conventional devices, only made to function in computers.

Hopefully this has given you an insight into the modern desktop computer, and will help you when making a purchase. For more information regarding saving money when purchasing a desktop computer visit http://www.discountdesktopreviews.com/articles/want-a-discount-pc.html.

About The Author
Dave Stewart

Right Monitor Size For Your Computer

Writen by Ihab Sarsour

There are many sizes of monitors today. Choosing the right size depends on several things. For our eyes to work their best they must be comfortable for as long as we are looking at the monitor. Keeping in mind the height of our desk top and chair when buy a monitor.

In general the appropriate size will allow you to sit about 30" back from the screen with your eye level above the top of the monitor with a 30-degree downward gaze angle. Monitors that are bigger than you need, will usually sit too high on a desk. This forces our eyes to look up at them causing additional near viewing stress. Too small of a screen will force us closer to the monitor also adding to near viewing stress. A 15" or 17" monitor is usually the best size for most of us.

Monitor size is measured by the distance from one corner of the screen's viewable area to the diagonally opposite corner. With CRTs, the number is generally about an inch greater than the actual area. The real number is included in the specs. For example, you might see a 17" monitor state 16.1" viewable. With flat panel monitors, the screen size specification is actually its real size.

What matters is monitor resolution, not monitor size. In the Computer World, the screens usually take the size of 14", 15", 17", and 19" . There are 3 main screen resolutions: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 pixels. Usually 14-15" computers take on a 800x600 resolution, and larger screens use higher resolution, but this is NOT always the case. Some old 14" monitor can display up to 1024x768 pixels.

The monitor resolution or number of pixels in the viewing window affects the way it appears. Images and text have their dimensions ultimately specified in terms of pixels regardless of what's being used to view them. The greater the number of pixels, the finer the resolution. An image on a monitor with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels will generally look better and be sharper than an image on a monitor with a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels or 640 x 480 pixels.

Resolution refers to the number of individual dots of color, known as pixels, contained on a display. Resolution is expressed by identifying the number of pixels on the horizontal axis (rows) and the number on the vertical axis (columns), such as 800x600. Resolution is affected by a number of factors, including the size of the screen.

Ihab Sarsour
Want to know more about computer hardware? Check it out at =>Computer Hardware
http://www.easycomputerway.com

Digital Spy Cams

Writen by Max Bellamy

The spy camera industry has evolved quite a bit over the last decade. People don't want the old big cameras anymore; they want smaller and better cameras. Analog technology is no longer used, and the word "digital" is a must-have in any electronic device nowadays. That's why even spy cams now have digital functions, digital display possibilities, and other new digital extras. It can be difficult to choose which digital camera to buy. Basically, the purpose of all digital spy cameras is the same, they are meant to be hidden and used to record a particular person or area.

Many factors influence the decision in choosing a digital camera. There are usually some particulars about the product that influence buying such as the image quality, the sensibility to low light, transmission frequency used and range, and the buyer's previous experience with such cameras. Another factor not usually mentioned but that has to be taken into account is that the battery drainage is often high, limiting the length of time that the camera can record to a couple of hours. Digital zoom possibilities must also be taken into account. There are several models that lose a lot of clarity when zooming and there are several that don't. Also another feature present in many products is an LCD display varying in size and image quality. People who need such a monitor to watch what they are recording live should look for a top model. People who are just looking for recording quality and don't really watch the monitor or care about the display should look for a digital camera that has better recording capabilities.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of digital spy cams on the market. It is important that people pay attention to the specifics of the digital spy camera that they buy. Many models are not very good and cost loads of money, and advertise features they do not posses, or that don't live up to the expectations that the buyer might have. Be sure to compare the prices and features of several different models. Buying a digital cam, especially a small spy cam, should be a well thought process.

Spy Cams provides detailed information about spy cams, hidden spy cams, pinhole spy cameras and more. Spy Cams is affiliated with Discount Laptop Computers.

Cisco Routing Quotip Defaultnetworkquot Vs Default Static Routes

Writen by Chris Bryant

One point of confusion for some CCNA and CCNP candidates is the difference between configuring a static default route and using the Cisco routing command ip default-network.

At first glance, they appear to do the same thing. Both configure a destination to which packets should be routed if there is no more specific route in the routing table.

The major difference between these two options is that configuring a static default route only defines a default route for the router you're configuring it on, while ip default-network will propagate the route via its routing protocol.

Let's examine the routing tables of a hub-and-spoke network using the ip default-network command. R1 is the hub and R2 and R3 are the spokes. They are directly connected via the network 172.12.123.0 /24, and each has a loopback with a 32-bit mask that are numbered according to the router number (1.1.1.1, etc.) RIP is running on all three routers and the loopbacks are advertised.

R1 has another serial interface with the IP address 10.1.1.1 /24, and this network has been flagged as a default network with the command ip default-network 10.0.0.0 . It is not being advertised by RIP.

The routing protocol will then advertise this route. With RIP, the default network is advertised as 0.0.0.0 . (With IGRP, it appears as the network number, but is marked as an IGRP External route. ) This route has been designated a candidate default route on R1, as we see with the asterisk next to the 10.0.0.0 /24 network (code table removed for brevity):

R1#show ip route

Gateway of last resort is not set

1.0.0.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 1.1.1.1 is directly connected, Loopback0
R 2.0.0.0/8 [120/1] via 172.12.123.2, 00:00:11, Serial0
R 3.0.0.0/8 [120/1] via 172.12.123.3, 00:00:11, Serial0
172.12.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C 172.12.21.0/30 is directly connected, BRI0
C 172.12.123.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0
* 10.0.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 10.1.1.0 is directly connected, Serial1

On R2 and R3, a default RIP route is now seen (code tables again deleted):

R2#show ip route
Gateway of last resort is 172.12.123.1 to network 0.0.0.0

R 1.0.0.0/8 [120/1] via 172.12.123.1, 00:00:00, Serial0.213
2.0.0.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 2.2.2.2 is directly connected, Loopback0
R 3.0.0.0/8 [120/2] via 172.12.123.1, 00:00:00, Serial0.213
172.12.0.0/16 is variably subnetted, 2 subnets, 2 masks
C 172.12.21.0/30 is directly connected, BRI0
C 172.12.123.0/24 is directly connected, Serial0.213
R* 0.0.0.0/0 [120/1] via 172.12.123.1, 00:00:00, Serial0.213

R3#show ip route
Gateway of last resort is 172.12.123.1 to network 0.0.0.0

R 1.0.0.0/8 [120/1] via 172.12.123.1, 00:00:27, Serial0.31
R 2.0.0.0/8 [120/2] via 172.12.123.1, 00:00:28, Serial0.31
3.0.0.0/32 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 3.3.3.3 is directly connected, Loopback0
172.12.0.0/24 is subnetted, 1 subnets
C 172.12.123.0 is directly connected, Serial0.31
R* 0.0.0.0/0 [120/1] via 172.12.123.1, 00:00:28, Serial0.31

And the default route works, since we can ping 10.1.1.1 from both R2 and R3. Since they have no other match in their routing tables, they use the default route.

R2#ping 10.1.1.1

Type escape sequence to abort. Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 10.1.1.1, timeout is 2 seconds: !!!!! Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 68/68/68 ms

R3#ping 10.1.1.1

Type escape sequence to abort. Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 10.1.1.1, timeout is 2 seconds: !!!!! Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 68/68/68 ms

When deciding whether to use a default static route or a default network, keep in mind that if you want the routing protocol to propagate the default route, the ip default-network command will do that for you. But if you want only the local router to have the default route, a static IP route is the way to go.

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, "How To Pass The CCNA" and "How To Pass The CCNP", visit the website and download your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!

Setting Up A Network Wired Or Wireless

Writen by Deryck Richards

To Wire or Not to Wire

Wireless networks are en vogue, but your installation won't be successful unless you chose the right type of network and set it up properly. Wired networks require that each computer be connected via a wire to a central location, called a switch or hub. This often involves installing cables through walls and ceilings and can present a challenge for anyone.

If the computers in your home or office are all within 500 feet of each other, a wireless network might be for you. A wireless network has no cables. It can connect computers on different floors of a building or even across the street. Aside from the obvious benefit of not having wires, wireless networks are more convenient since the setup, configuration, and reconfiguration can often be done within minutes, without extensive planning.

Wireless networks, however, are not as fast as wired networks. If you play computer games or want to view streaming video or other high-speed multimedia, a wireless network might not have enough capacity. But, if you just want to check e-mail and view web pages, a wireless network is a good choice. To install a wireless network, you need a Wireless Access Point and a wireless network card for each computer. You will need to buy a wireless network card for each desktop computer, although most newer laptops come equipped with one.

Security is not a large concern in a wired network, since someone would have to physically connect to a wired network to break in. In wireless networks, a car parked outside with a laptop could easily connect to your network if you don't have proper security in place. To prevent this from happening, encrypt your wireless network connections, or set a password to access the network, or do both.

Do It Yourself or Call a Professional?

If you decide to use a wired network, consider whether you will install it yourself or hire a professional. If you have a small number of computers that are all situated very close to one another, you may be able to buy pre-assembled network cables and connect them yourself. If you need to wire multiple floors and lay wire through ceilings and walls, you need a professional installation. If you go this route, it is best to begin with a floor plan of your office or home, determine what your current needs are, and consider how the network design can be adapted to future needs. A professional installer should be familiar with EIA/TIA standards, local wiring and electrical codes, and making custom cables. Network cabling professionals are often judged by the neatness of their work, because sloppy cabling is more apt to deteriorate over time, harder to manage, and poses more of a fire risk.

Having a wireless network or a wired network is not mutually exclusive. Many small offices have a wired network in addition to one or more wireless networks, depending on their needs. Wireless networks are continuing to get faster, more secure, and less expensive. Wired networks will continue to coexist with wireless networks, often in the same homes and offices.

Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive educational background in computer information systems, Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000. His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Technology for Small Business. For more information on Desktronix, visit www.desktronix.com

Easy To Execute

Writen by Seamus Dolly

Plug and play equipment or hardware solves the problem of driver installation, re-starting routines, and generally speaking, "hassle", for those who are not technically proficient.

If your computer supports "Plug and Play", then, as the name suggests, you simply plug it in and play. For people who are "word perfect", plug and play might sound somewhat misleading. Peripherals, such as your mouse, keyboard, monitors, scanners, network adaptors, or printers are included in this.

This long awaited technology is made possible via your U.S.B. port. U.S.B. is an abbreviation for UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS. Using this port, your computer detects such peripherals, and after detection, configuration is automatic, in so far as you have no further input.

Prior to "plug n play", you would have to insert a floppy disc or cd, to supply and install the necessary software or "driver". To put it simply, your computer cannot see or indeed smell or intuitively know what a device, its properties, requirements and priorities are.

Most computers have two USB ports, usually situated on the back of your unit. A U.S.B. "hub" will effectively increase this number. Basically, it is like an electrical adaptor which allows up to seven devices to be connected to it. If you are a big "gadget" fan, you can simply plug another hub into the first one, and so on.

U.S.B. is classified as Serial communication, as opposed to parallel communication.

This means that it transmits data/info/signal, if you like, one "bit" at a time. Conversely, it receives it in a similar fashion. This is done or executed, in one wire or cable.

Did you ever notice the "big" or "wide" ends on your cables? These cables are parallel and transmit/receive data/info/signals, many "bits" at a time. Therefore, parallel communication needs many cables/wires and consequently more connections, at its port.

U.S.B. ports and cables are smaller. Just pop around to the back of your P.C., and you will immediately notice the difference. On the machine that I am currently working on, I noticed that the printer has both types of ports and that the parallel port and cabling is the option that the technician used. The serial option would have worked just the same, at this level, where transmission speeds are of little relevance.

In summary, Plug 'n Play is welcomed and embraced by everyone and is a major step towards "user-friendly" computing.

About The Author

Seamus Dolly is the webmaster of http://www.CountControl.com His background is in engineering and analogue electronics. His studies include A+, Net+ and Server+.

seamus@countcontrol.com

How To Choose Printer Paper

Writen by John Sollars

Everybody wants to know about the correct inkjet cartridge for his or her printer, but what about printer paper? Inkjet and laser printers can print on a variety of surfaces, including photo paper, labels, business cards, stickers, and t-shirt transfers. One of the biggest advantages of laser printers is their ability to churn out quality prints on almost any paper. However, the same does not apply to inkjet printers. Although most of your inkjet printing probably involves standard white papers, when it comes to this medium, you may have more options than you realise.

Inkjet Printer Paper

Although standard printer paper can do the job as well, your printouts will probably be better if you use paper specifically made for inkjet printers. The quality of your printouts is affected by two major factors: brightness and absorption.

1. Brightness

When a type of paper is advertised as being brighter than average, it indicates that the surface of the paper is smoother than average. The smoothness of the page determines the amount of light reflected from its surface. This factor also determines how bright your images appear on the page. The brighter or smoother the printer paper is, the better your printout will appear.

2. Absorption

In this case, if the printer paper absorbs less ink, your document will definitely look better. As the paper absorbs ink, tiny dots on the page may spread outside their borders. This may cause the edges of text and images on the page to look fuzzy and soggy. To counteract this problem, quality printer papers are coated with a waxy substance that prevents the absorption of ink by the paper. A well-coated paper allows for more precise and smoother printing. In general, most of the printers on the market print at a higher resolution on coated paper than on standard paper.

Branded Paper – To Buy or Not to Buy

It's no secret that the big names in printers, such as HP, Canon, and Epson, offer a complete line of inks and papers. Each company claims that you will get the best results when you use its products with its printers, and warns you to steer clear of products sold by other companies.

Generally speaking, they're right. In the case of inkjet printers, especially, companies design printers, inks, and papers to work together to yield the best results. If you use third-party paper with your inkjet printer from a big-name manufacturer, the ink may spread too far into the paper before drying, causing inaccurate colours, lower print resolution, and a dull finish. Plus, it is likely that the prints will fade faster. The choice, after all, lies with you. Printing great photos from an inkjet printer is a tall order, requiring a perfect match between the ink, paper, and printer to work together; and the companies don't make it easy on the consumer's pocket. You can reach the most economical solution through a little experimentation.

Alternatively, laser printers can print plain text documents or draft-quality graphics with equal ease, and you can stock up on your local office supply store's bright white copy or laser paper to your heart's content.

Getting Past the Jargon

To find out if the paper package on the shelf is right for your printer, simply read the fine print that usually lists out the compatible companies and models. Moreover, if you are interested in high-quality photo printing, you can generally see if a particular paper makes the grade.

For example, some papers may have unusual descriptions such as "swellable" or "cotton rag." Swellable paper is designed for high-quality photo printing—the coated surface actually swells as it absorbs ink. Cotton rag is ideal for inkjets that use pigment-based inks; most low-cost inkjet printers, on the other hand, use dye-based ink, so you should steer clear of cotton rag in this instance.

High-quality paper also has a polymer coating—for both dye-based and pigment-based inks—that keeps the ink from spreading, and it protects the ink from fading over time. However, coated paper can take a number of hours to completely dry your prints. Better quality paper may also be advertised as acid-free and lignin-free; these indicate that your paper is more likely to give you the best image quality and the best overall life span.

Checklist

It is important to remember that most branded photo printer paper from corporate names, including well-known ones, is only suitable for printing at 1440 and 2880 DPI. Here is a simple checklist to help you when deciding the inkjet photo paper best suited to your needs.

1. Always check the DPI (Dots Per Inch) of the photo printer paper.

DPI is an indicator of how much ink the photo paper can absorb per inch on the page. Using low DPI photo paper for high-resolution printing will result in poor quality prints. Usually, if the seller does not advertise the DPI of its inkjet photo paper and card, then it is likely that it is very low and therefore a lower grade paper.

2. Check that the photo paper is instant dry.

Cheaper photo paper may not be designed to dry instantaneously and can result in colour running or smudging while the ink is soaking into the paper. Once again, if the seller does not advertise this feature, then it is likely that it is absent.

3. Decide the weight of inkjet photo paper you need.

Although the weight of photo paper and card vary, the most common weights are between 120gsm to 280gsm.

If you are printing in bulk, then 120gsm is usually sufficient and cost effective. If you are printing photographs at home, then 160gsm to 200gsm should suffice. Buy glossy printer paper if you want shiny pictures, and matt paper if shine is not an issue for you.

As a general rule, bigger the weight is, thicker the photo paper or card will be.

John Sollars is the managing director of Solar Electronics, which are both ink and pc peripheral suppliers based in Shropshire, UK. To access a comprehensive online shop of original and re-manufactured printer ink cartridges please visit http://www.stinkyinkshop.co.uk/acatalog/Paper.html or simply visit the Stinky Ink homepage at http://www.stinkyinkshop.co.uk

Is Your Printer Spying On You

Writen by Bob Rankin

Even Your Printer Has DNA

Yes, it's true. In an effort to snare counterfeiters, the US government has persuaded some color laser printer manufacturers to encode each page with identifying information. The EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) has recently proven what many have suspected for a long time - that at least some laser printers embed a secret machine identification code on every page they print, which reveals when the page was printed, and the serial number of the printer on which it was printed.

You might might not think it's a big deal that your printer's serial number is embedded on every page. But if you registered your printer with the manufacturer when you bought it, the manufacturer knows that you are associated with that printer's serial number. In a recent article, the Internet Patrol mulls the disturbing potential impact of this.

The EFF's Machine Identification Code Technology project, which has been investigating this for some time, has released the results of their success in identifying the hidden machine identification code which is printed by a Xerox DocuColor color laser printer. The results are startling, and troubling, and sure enough, the code is there. It looks like a bunch of yellow dots - a sort of printer braille, but if you know how to read them, they clearly translate to the date and printer serial number. You can see the EFF's machine identification codes at their Machine Identification Code Technology project site.

Explains the EFF, "Imagine that every time you printed a document, it automatically included a secret code that could be used to identify the printer - and potentially, the person who used it. Sounds like something from an episode of "Alias," right? Unfortunately, the scenario isn't fictional. In a purported effort to identify counterfeiters, the US government has succeeded in persuading some color laser printer manufacturers to encode each page with identifying information. That means that without your knowledge or consent, an act you assume is private could become public. A communication tool you're using in everyday life could become a tool for government surveillance. And what's worse, there are no laws to prevent abuse."

Bad Kitty!

If you find this story interesting, and you have a Lexmark printer, you should read about the Lx-CATS spyware that comes free with certain Lexmark printers.

BOB RANKIN... is a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his experience with others. His work has appeared in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author of several computer books, and creator of the http://LowfatLinux.com website. Visit Bob Rankin's website for more helpful articles and free tech support.

Why You Shouldnt Be Afraid Of Wireless Routers And Networks

Writen by Gregg Hall

Many people are afraid to consider a wireless router because wireless routers are relatively new technology. But wireless routers can really simplify Internet access in your home, small business, or large company.

With a regular Windows Internet network you are easily able to access the Internet from any of your computers that are connected to the Network. Most small businesses are extremely happy with this type of set up. The problem that many businesses run into is that the modem has to be on before any of the other computers are able to get Internet.

For businesses that are use to turning off all their equipment in the evenings, remembering to turn the modem on in the mornings can become an ongoing issue. Sometimes employees may even spend hours with technical support trying to figure out why their Internet is not working, when the problem is simply that the modem was never turned on. A wireless router can solve this dilemma very inexpensively.

With a wireless Internet router all your computers can have Internet accesses easily without worrying about the modem computer being turned on first. Plus employee laptops can easily access reports and other business material without first having to save information to a disk and transfer it to their office computer.

When looking for a wireless router you need to look for both price and quality. You definitely do not want to skimp on this piece of equipment. Look at the speed of the router as well as its range. You want to make sure that you choose a router that will be able to handle the Internet access for all your office computers, this means finding a router that has enough speed to comfortably keep all your employees connected to the Internet at the same time.

Residential customers and very small businesses are all finding the convenience of wireless Internet a great thing. The easy of use that a wireless router provides is perfect for almost any person or business. Plus you don't have to be a technical genius to install a wireless router at home or in a business.

Most wireless routers simply get plugged into a hi-speed Internet line and you go through a basic step by step computer set up. Some computers don't even need a set up process and they will automatically recognize the wireless router and connect to it.

After plugging in your wireless router you might need to have a brief conversation with your Internet provider to register your device and confirm your set up. But after that, you are really off and running. You can connect as many computers as you would like to your system and easily use laptops throughout the office. Plus you will no longer be wasting man hours trying to figure out why your Internet is not working, when the problems was simply that the main modem computer had not been turned on yet.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as wireless internet accesss at http://www.wirelessinternetaccessservice.com

Windows Vs Mac Which Is Better For Real Estate

Writen by Jason Leister

I get asked this question a lot:

Should I run my real estate business on a Windows computer or on a Mac?

You can find a lot of real estate forums and mailing lists where this exact argument drones on and on for days and days. And both sides can get really, really heated about their opinions. It's almost like they have a personal stake in the battle.

Here are some phrases you might hear:

"Macs are meant for designers and creative types."

"But Macs never crash and there are no viruses...."

"But it's a Windows world... There's more software available for Windows..."

"My MLS won't work with a Mac."

The real frustrating part is that the more research you do, the more confusing the whole decision becomes. It can really make your head spin.

So if you are about to make a computer purchase for your real estate business, how should you make the right decision?

Before I give you my advice, let me give you my quick and simple philosophy of technology:

"How you USE the technology you have is more important than WHAT technology you have."

So which IS better for real estate, a Mac or a Windows computer?

Here's my advice:

The answer isn't important because there IS no definitive answer. There is no best choice. There is only the right choice for YOUR business.

And YOU are qualified to make that choice.

Don't let all of the tech words intimidate you. In the end, you are the one that needs to be able to be productive.

Yes, a lot of software is written only for Windows. But Macs can run Windows.

The fact is, there is very little that you can't accomplish in either the Windows world or the Mac world.

So choose the computer that is most comfortable for you to use. Which is most intuitive for you? Which computer can you actually get some work done on most quickly?

Don't worry about choosing the "best" one. There is no such thing.

And just be careful who you ask for their opinion...

Everyone is biased. I am biased. I use a Mac. I wouldn't look back. But that doesn't necessarily make a Mac better for YOUR real estate business.

It's kind of like walking into a Chevrolet dealership and asking them what kind of car you should buy. What do you think they are going to say?

In the end, it matters more HOW you use your Mac or your Windows PC than it does WHICH one you use.

Jason Leister, the Real Estate Technology and Marketing Guru (tm), is owner of Computer Super Guy, LLC, a technology firm that helps real estate professionals market their businesses. Visit the Real Estate Technology Guru to subscribe to our free monthly eZine, ProfIT, and receive a FREE copy of our special report "The Truth About Real Estate Websites and Search Engine Optimization."

Hard Disk Detection Problem With Bios

Writen by Ravi Chamria

During POST (Power On Self Test), the BIOS try to get information about all the devises Connected to the system. After checking the processor and RAM it checks for devise such you're hard disk, CD-ROM, etc., and display them on screen with messages such As 'detecting IDE drives…' and Found Primary Master….'etc. Sometimes your BIOS Just refuses to recognize your hard disk, basically making it useless-there's no way windows will recognize your hard disk if the BIOS doesn't. Let's see why this happens:

The most common reason is a loose or badly connected data cable. Make sure the data cable is plugged in properly, both into the hard disk, as well as the motherboard. The same goes for power cable, so check that as well. Also, make sure that the red lines on the data cable and power cable are adjacent to each other.

One you've ruled out any cable problems, check the jumper setting on the drives. If two drives are connected to a port, make sure one is set as master and the other as Slave, or else both are set to Cable Select.

Next, make sure your drive controllers on your motherboard are not disabled. These controllers control IDE devices, and without them the BIOS cannot detect the drives. Go to the BIOS setup, and under the Integrated Peripherals menu, make sure that 'On Board HDC' is enabled for both Primary and Secondary channels. Also ensure that all drive types are set to AUTO under the Standard CMOS Setting. If you are not comfortable with changing the BIOS values, just reset the BIOS to factory defaults.

When all else fails, so has your hard disk send it to a technician for servicing.

Ravi chamria is a webmaster, for more computer related articles please visit at Computers-and-Technology

Small Wonders Single Board Computers

Writen by Paolo Basauri

What are Single Board Computers

When most people think of computers, the image of a PC or laptop comes to mind. Some may even recall the football field size computers of the 1960's and 70's before the emergence of the PC. Very few people would picture single board computers , even if there was one sitting right in front of them! A single board computer is the terminology used for a printed circuit board that contains a processor, memory, I/O (input/output) and a clock. Single board computers (aka SBC's) resemble the motherboard contained in a typical PC, but include all the elements of a basic computer within it's small design. Since the early 1980's, the technology behind this type of computers has been used in industrial manufacturing and computerized product design to apply basic processing functions for high-tech product features.

Usage of Single Board Computers

Also commonly referred to as embedded computers, single board computers are used in products from airplanes and rocket ships, to toys and high performance athletic shoes. Almost everyone uses single board computers without being aware of their existence. Most products that utilize computer technology (such as fax machines, cameras, cell phones, etc) contain embedded single board computers. While these tiny computers can host a full size operating system such as Windows XP, most SBC's have internal operating systems that take up much less space. Simpler operating systems equal a lower cost per computer. Software for single board computers is generally contained on a flash memory system or ROM chip. Quality indictors for single board systems include processor performance, I/O compatibility, SSD storage and wireless capabilities.

Pros and Cons of Single Board Computers

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using SBC's for industrial and product enhancement. Deciding whether or not to implement single board computer technology is largely a matter of application necessity and cost. Some of the deciding factors on using them include:

+ Pro : Current technologies have increased the capability of the single board computer, while reducing its size and cost.

+ Pro : Wireless technology has made it possible for easy internet access via SBC.

+ Pro : The competitive market has greatly expanding the options and functionalities available for SBC's.

+ Pro : Advanced computer technology offers reliability for industrial manufacturers and quality products for vendors using SBC's.

- Con : Incorporation can be costly for high volume products and applications.

- Con : Some applications require customized sizes or I/O functions that are not compatible with standard SBC's.

Single Board Computer Technologies

While all SBC's are built using similar standards, different technologies can be included with individual SBC's. Video capability, Ethernet access functionality and digital computer technologies are just some of the features that can be incorporated into a single board computer. In general, SBC's can be as simple or as complex as an application demands. Additionally, supplemental hardware such as backplanes and mezzanine structures can significantly increase the functionality of a single board computer.

About The Author
Paolo Basauri is an expert author who writes for Single Board Computers http://www.single-board-computers.org.

Printersa Dilemma

Writen by George W. Cannata

My recent article did not flatter computer manufacturers nor will this one.

I'm a capitalist, and believe in free enterprise but I think the business philosophy of the printer manufacturers has been outrageous and certainly not consumer friendly. The cost of ink is horrendous.

To an extent their practices have back fired on them. They've created a bootleg industry that they now have to compete with. The cost of OEM inkjet cartridges has sky-rocketed and the competitors have followed suit.

For example the price of a set of cartridges for a Lexmark Z51 Printer is $74.97 delivered from a leading online supplier. A set of refilled cartridges from eBay will cost $38.45. Refills are notoriously unreliable, and some printers just don't work well with other than OEM ink.

This is a problem for me as I do a lot of printing. Besides the usual run of the mill printing I often print manuals and instructions that I can read somewhere other than on my screen.

One solution is to buy a printer that uses ink tanks instead of cartridges. They are much cheaper. The reason for this is the print head is built into the machine, not into the cartridge, so they not only are less expensive but if you get in to refilling, which I don't recommend, it's easier to do.

Here's the dilemma: There are two leading brands that use this system, and I've owned more than one of each, for some reason or other, that type of printer doesn't stand up well. Not that any of them do.

I'm talking about affordable printers in the under $150.00 range. I don't know about those five or six hundred dollar jobs. For one thing the print heads frequently fail. You can't replace them yourself and it's too costly to have them repaired.

I just had one of the leading brands that cost $100.00 . It was replaced under warranty three times, the last time a week before my warranty expired. It's less than three months old and it prints half a page and quits

My solution: I'm an inveterate shopper, visit my web site shopping guide: www.caveatemptorus.com. I buy bargain printers. The last three cost $!6.00, $21.00 and $29.00 brand new. When the ink runs out I'll throw them away.

Watch out for the ones with sample cartridges the ink doesn't last long. I bought one without knowing it. The seller didn't say,he did give the cartridge numbers, whch I shuld have chcked. So check before you buy.

Another thing I do is print in draft mode, and I have cut down on printing entirely.

Written by: George W. Cannata, Author and Publisher of the web site: http://www.caveatemptorus.com You may copy this article in it's entirety so long as you include credit to the author and links to my web site.

Best Computer Upgrades Cost Verses Value

Writen by John Dow

I do a lot of computer repair work and one of the first questions I get asked (after I fix the computer) is what can I do to improve the performance. I normally clean out all the old temp files and registry entries (two things that slow down a computer) whenever I work on a computer. That's standard procedure for any service call and can help software wise.

The next area to look at is to upgrade some of the primary hardware that runs your computer. The best three in order of performance increase are RAM, Video Cards, and hard drives. Most of the older computers came with 512 Megs of RAM or less. The video card may be a component on the motherboard and a low-end hard drive.

All three of these hardware items can cause a bottleneck for daily operation. With Windows XP, RAM and video play a big part in the day-to-day performance. Since disk access is often and files are constantly being accessed and written, the data transfer rate and speed at which the platters spin on your hard drive comes into play.

So the next best bang for the buck is to increase the amount of ram in the computer. It's pretty cheap these days (about $30 for a meg of RAM on most) and if they have less than a Meg of RAM they can really notice the improvement. Its quick and cheap upgrade.

The next are that would help would be to replace the video card or add RAM to the video card if possible. Many of the newer low-end computers borrow RAM from the system, which is economical from the manufacturing side but not the most efficient for the operation.

The newer versions of all the major video cards have their own processors and RAM on board the card. This adds quite a bit of punch to the refresh rate and can have a big impact for most computers. Video cards also have a host of features that can help speed up some graphic operations.

You can get a pretty good generic card (no big name) for about $64 with 64 Megs of RAM on board. Or if you want the very fastest chipset and 512 Megs of RAM, TV tuner, and more onboard you can spend about $750. Most casual users would get a very good boost in performance with the 64 Meg card.

The next area that can always use some help is the hard disk. Your hard disk really has two factors that dictate the speed it operates. One is the type of connection; the other is the speed the hard drive spins. The newer hard drives have what's called a Serial ATA interface, which can move data at up to 350mbps (megabytes per second). The older ones are limited to 100-133mbps.

The speed the platters spin can affect the ability to access the data. Older drives have speeds up to 5500 rpm, and many are 4400 rpm. Many of the newer drives spin up to 7200 rpm or even 10,000 rpm. The newer units also come with buffers that can hold frequent data accessed and allow for even faster operation.

A new brand name Serial ATA 250 gig hard drive with 7200 rpm and 16 MB buffer runs around $90. If you're moving up from an old 4400 rpm hard drive the increase in performance is noticeable. The hard drive install is fairly straightforward but transferring your data and OS can get a little more involved. Although most hard drive manufacturers do provide menu driven software to do the transfer for you.

Any one of these upgrades would help but if your computer is 2-3 years old, why not just do all three. The cost would be under $200 and you will think you got a new computer with the performance increase. A local computer shop would probably only charge you and extra $50 to install all three if you buy them there.

Or if you're pretty handy with a screwdriver, buy the parts on eBay and do it yourself. You could probably knock down the price to $175. The RAM and Video Cards just plug, but the hard drive and transfer would be a little more challenging.

Any computer that is 4-5 years old or older, I'd save your money and just by a new one since you can find a fairly good deal for as little as $500 these days. Watch for the specials from Dell or one of the other big direct sellers.

John Dow owns http://www.PowerSolutionsCD.com, a website that specializes in computer troubleshooting, security, and repair utilities. His Power Solutions CD has helped thousands of customers. Click here to learn more: http://www.PowerSolutionsCD.com.

Refilling Ink Cartridges Secrets Of A Pro

Writen by Richard Sherland

We will provide tips and tricks to refilling the newer cartridges. The newer cartridges are harder but with the techniques we will show you will have a greater chance of success.

The new cartridge is much smaller now this changes things a lot with regard to refilling. The problem is that the entire sponge must be filled with ink in order to hold the recommended amount of ink. This is hard to achieve for the amateur because of air in the sponge.

The professional filler fills the cartridge under a high vacuum this removes the air and then the ink is injected. Only after the sponge is filled completely is air let back into the cartridge. This works very well and if the empty is a good one it almost always results in a working cartridge. Now we are talking about the small cartridges produced in the last 2 or 3 years. That is like the small the HP 56 and 57and The Lexmark 16 and 26.

So what can you do to increase your chances of success? First thing is don't try to fill the cartridge to it's full capacity. For instance the HP 56 originally had 19 ML so only put in 8 to 10 ML of ink. Trying to fill it full will only result in leaking and other problems.

Because of the air problem I recommend that you insert the needle as far as possible and angle it toward the print head. Another thing that can help is to use a gravity feed. Remove the plunger from the syringe and put in the correct amount of ink. Let the ink slowly enter the cartridge by gravity.

Don't try and fill a cartridge that been sitting around for weeks or months. Even the professional have problems with these. Fill the cartridge at the first sign that it's going dry.

After filling your cartridge you may find that it won't work at all. When you touch it against a paper towel nothing at all comes out. There's a channel between the print head and the compartment that has the sponge. If this channel gets empty it can take some effort to get it filled with ink. You can buy a cartridge primer to solve this problem. These clip onto the cartridge and the syringe hooks to it. You pull out on the plunger of the syringe and this sucks ink into the empty void I was talking about. You can find these by doing a search on Google or another search engine.

The other way of forcing ink into the cartridges uses centrifugal force. Don't do this where ink can get on anything! How the cartridge at about shoulder height and bring the cartridge rapidly down to about your knee. Stop abruptly and the ink tries to keep going forcing it up into the print head. You may have to do this several times before your successful. Keep checking by touching the print head against a paper towel. Ink should come out freely. Buying a primer is by far the best method.

The other reason the cartridge won't print at all is that it is dripping ink. A dripping cartridge won't print right and in most cases it won't print at all. If you have over filled then you can suck some of the ink out. Or you may let it set for 2 or 3 hours a will usually do the trick.

Remember we are talking about cartridges that aren't dried out. If your cartridge are dried out I would recommend buying new or refilled cartridges, as you will probably have a lot of problems. Also we are talking about Hp And Lexmark cartridges. For the others I recommend buying new compatibles, as it's cheaper in the long run than refilling.

Richard Sherland has been in the cartridge refill business for six years. He is affiliated with Global Ink a factory printer cartridge and computer accessories manufacturer. He also has an ezine =>Free information on many subjects

Hard Drives Are Dead The Coming Revolution In Personal Computing

Writen by Michael Quarles

There is a revolution on the way, the biggest since hard drives were added to PCs. In short, the hard drive as we know it will be eliminated in favor of a new system based on flash memory.

Hard drives have had many shortcomings. They're mechanical, depending on a disk spinning at 7200 rpm. A good, hard bump while a disk is in operation can destroy data and damage the drive itself. Ask anyone who has dropped a laptop what part of the computer had to be fixed. You might think the screen, but in the majority of cases you'd be wrong. The hard drive is the most often damaged component in such an accident.

With the new system, there'll be nothing mechanical to damage or fail. Prices should be competitive, as manufacturers are ramping up production capacity, which will bring costs down.

You may wonder how long it will be until these new drives are on the market. As we all know from personal experience, improvements in computer technology tend to come sooner than we expect, rather than later. My prediction is that within 2 years virtually all computers will be built with the new system.

Even that may be too distant a time frame. I well remember yearing to edit video online, but reading in articles that the machine I required was at least five years in the future.

Of course, within 6 months, I had one, and at a bargain price as well.

Michael Quarles website is http://www.monkeyseemonkeydobooks.com.

Getting Started With Your New Printer

Writen by John Sollars

If you have recently bought yourself a new printer, follow the directions in the manual for setting up cables. Put the installation CD into the CD drive and follow the set up instructions.

If you are using Windows 95/98, select Start Menu, then select Printers. Now select Add Printer, select Local Printer. Choose your printer (If your printer is not listed, choose the one closest to yours and select OK).

For the Mac, select go to server, (or chooser) and then select printer. Then choose your printer. (If your printer is not listed, then select the closest one.) Then select install. If you are using Windows XP, then the PC will prompt you for the drivers and install the relevant one from the CD itself (if the appropriate driver is not in the database already).

If you have any problems printing, first check your cable connections. If you get repeated error messages, then reboot your computer and redo the steps above. If you would like to upgrade the driver of your currently installed printed, then follow the steps given in the next sub-topic.

Installing Printer Drivers
A printer driver is a piece of software that allows the computer to communicate with the printer. Without this software, the printer would be hopelessly lost since it does not speak the same language! Printer manufacturers often update the drivers and these they can be easily downloaded form the company's website for free. It is a good idea to keep a check on your printer driver version and upgrade if it is too far out of date. Here is how you can check your print driver version number: Windows XP

1. Click the Windows Start button, choose Control Panel, and then choose 'Printers and Faxes.'
2. Right-click your default printer and choose Properties. (Your default printer will have a checkmark within a black circle above the printer icon.)
3. Click the General tab, click the 'Print Test Page' button, and then click OK to print the test page. Windows 95/98

1. Click the Windows Start button, choose Settings, and then Printers.
2. Right-click your default printer and choose Properties. (Your default printer will have a checkmark within a black circle above the printer icon.)
3. Click the General tab, click the 'Print Test Page' button, and then click OK to print the test page.

Look on the test page for Driver Version.
All major printer manufactures have web sites that allow you to freely download their printer drivers. To do so, you will need your printer's manufacturer and model number. When you go to the web site, look for words such as 'Downloads', 'Drivers', 'Software', or 'Support' and shortlist your model.
Given below are the website URLs for the popular brands:
Hewlett Packard — http://welcome.hp.com/country/uk/en/support.html?pageDisplay=drivers
Canon — http://software.canon-europe.com/
Epson — http://emeasupport.epson-europe.com/downloads.aspx?LNG=en-EU
Lexmark — http://support.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/selections.cgi?ccs=227:5:0:0:0:0&target=http://downloads.lexmark.com/cgi-perl/downloads.cgi&&req=:::::
Xerox — http://www.support.xerox.com/go/prodselect.asp?Xlang=en_GB&metrics=HDR
Brother — http://www.brother.com/E-ftp/info/index_eu.html

Troubleshooting Printer Problems
In this section, you'll find some of the more common problems that cause 45 percent of the help centre phone calls.

If nothing has occurred since the last time you used your printer, chances are the problem is quite straightforward. As obvious as it sounds, check to ensure that the printer is turned on. It is quite possible that somebody might have turned it off while you were away from your desk or computer. Make sure the printed is connected properly and there is power to the printer. All printers have some kind of LED that lets you know if it is powered up.

If the printer is turned on but has some flashing lights, then check with your owner's manual to see what the lights mean. Most of these indicators will be related either to paper, ink, or toner.

Make sure there is enough paper in the printer. Refill the paper tray if it's empty. Make sure you 'fan' the paper stack before putting it in the printer. When the paper stack is cut and packed at the factory, it sometimes causes the pages to stick together. Fanning the paper simply involves flipping through the paper stack with your thumb. This ruffling separates the paper, thereby reducing paper jams.

If the paper is stacked well, then check for a mis-feed or paper jam. Remove the paper stack and check the feed area for jammed paper. You may have to open several panels to make a thorough examination. Even a small piece of paper stuck inside the printer can cause problems. You might have to use tweezers to remove small pieces. Be careful of any contact of the tweezers with printer parts to avoid any damage.

If everything listed above is in place, then check the wire that connects the printer to the computer. You may be using a parallel or a USB connection. Make sure the cable is connected properly. Turn the equipment off and remove and re-insert the connection on both the printer and the computer to ensure a solid connection. If you are at work and your printer is connected to what appears to be a telephone wire, then you should call your resident network expert.

If the printer is functioning but only seems to print illegible garbage, then that is a good indication of a printer driver problem. Try re-booting the computer and turning the printer off and on before making any changes to the driver. If after re-booting you still have the problem, it's probably time to replace the printer driver. You can download the driver from the website URLs listed earlier in this articles. Follow the instructions given by the manufacturer to install your driver. Scanner can also sometimes interfere with printers. Try re-installing the software for both but install the printer driver first, and the scanner driver afterwards.

If nothing listed above results in a solution, then perhaps it might be time to call the printer manufacturer. Make sure that you are near the printer when you call and have all your warranty information available at hand.

John Sollars is the director of Solar Electronics, an ink and pc peripheral suppliers based in the UK. To get access to a comprehensive online store of original and re-manufactured printer inks plus paper and other computer consumables please visit http://www.mega-office.co.uk.