How to Fix a Scratched Disc
If your disc has been scratched, here are the steps you should follow.
Step 1: Clean it. Your first step should be to wash the disc gently under warm water.
Step 2: Try playing the disc. Try to play it in your normal player. If that doesn’t work, try a different drive.
Step 3: Burn a new copy of your disc. Unless your disc now plays perfectly in all drives, you should burn it to a new disc
Step 4: Find the scratch. If nothing’s working so far, inspect the disc and find the scratch.
Step 5: Polish the CD. Apply baking soda toothpaste to a lint-free cloth-an old T-shirt or an eyeglass cloth-and then rub it onto the disc. When rubbing, start at the centre of the disc and rub out to the edge.
Step 6: Wash the disc. If you’re using toothpaste, rinse the disk under warm water and then let it air dry.
Step 7: Try to play the disc. If it works, good. If it doesn’t work, inspect your disc again-there may be another scratch that you didn’t polish the first time.
Step 8: Wax the disc. You can use Vaseline or a neutral-colored shoe polish. Coat the playing surface, then follow the manufacturer’s directions for removing the wax.
Step 9: Play the disc again. If it works this time, copy the disc.
Step 10: Go to a store that sells used. A used CD or DVD store will have a machine that can remove scratches.
You may take great care of your discs, but you will probably have a scratched disc at some point. Follow these steps, and a scratch won’t be a cause for alarm.
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G Pearce works for Magellan Duplication the Hampshire based CD and DVD replication and duplication company serving the needs of artists, record companies and business. For more info on CD replication and duplication services visit http://www.magellanduplication.com/cd-replication.htm |
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Online Computer Repair
With the high tech world of today, Online Computer repair is quickly taking hold. Having your computer repaired online is great for many people because they do not need to haul their computer to a shop and wait days to get it back. Another benefit is the cost. Most places will only charge around 89 dollars to remove a virus or spyware. Many computer retail stores charge that amount plug a diagnostic fee.
With most online computer repair companies they offer a fix it or free policy. That means you do not have to pay if the issue is not fixed. The most common type of repairs the online companies do are virus and spyware removal, system tune-ups, registry repair, driver issues and internet issues.
Because the repair is being done on-line not all issues can be resolved. If your computer will not boot for instance then they will not be able to help. If any of your parts are physically damaged they will not be able to assist either. This is were the no fix no pay can come in handy. Be sure and ask if they have such a policy.
Another downside is for many companies you have to stay on the phone with their technician. Often times the issue may take an hour or so to fix. You need to be on the phone because they first need you to install some remote computer repair software that will allow them to get into your computer. After that they do all the work but you still may be required to stay on the phone.
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For more tips check us out here at online computer repair. For great tips on XP and vista stop by our Vista Repair site. |
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Where to Get Vista Drivers
I see this question posted a lot on forums. I have older hardware, were can I get vista drivers for my device. Before even plugging in the new device into Vista you should go and check out the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers.
The manufacturer of the product is always the best place to search for the latest drivers. There you will also find information on whether the device is capable of working on Windows Vista. Read any and all instructions first before trying to install the drivers. You may find that you need to do a firmware update first.
Some computer components need the software installed before you connect the device. Hp for example is famous for this. If you install the device first and then the software you may run into issues.
Sometimes the manufactures site is not easy to navigate. When this happens do a search for just the model number and the keyword “driver”. Do not click on the first link you see. Look for a link that has the manufactures website in it. Many sites say they have free drivers but you find out later the program you downloaded was just trial software or a virus. Always try the manufacture first and if you cannot find it there then go to one of the third party sites. Be sure you have virus and spyware protection before you download any program from a third party site.
Some older devices will not work with Vista. Even if the manufacturer states it does work with vista do a little more digging and see if have a 64 bit processor. Some programs work with Vista but not 64 bit processors. I have run into a few cameras that had a hard time handling the 64 bit architecture.
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To learn more about Windows Vista view windows Vista repair site. If you are in need of computer repair please consider our online computer repair site. |
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The Importance Of Screen Savers In Your Daily Life
Imagine going to the Caribbean or visiting a rain forest and smelling that fresh air. Close your eyes I will wait. Yes ! do you feel that. Wish you were there huh. Well thats what computers where really made for. Now a days computers are used 80% for spam and get rich quick schemes. People totally forget the importance of computers.
If your computer does not have a high quality screen saver your about to get your hands on one. Most screen savers out there is usually packed with some crap spy ware or some garbage spam to get you to buy something that you really don’t need.
Screen savers were not just on your computer to hide information while you are away from your desk but to provide a peaceful work environment for you to handle every day’s informational tasks.
Close your eyes and think about all those great times you had visiting places that made you just think “Wow this is the life I don’t ever want to leave this place” you have been dreaming about going back to that place one day you will but until then a screen saver usually does the trick.
From Rivers to Forests Spinning Tornadoes Frogs on lily pads fishes sunrises sunsets tropical islands special holidays, landscapes or it can be a loud beautiful waterfall. Well you are luck you can get up to 200 High Quality Digital screen savers for free no cost no spy ware no spam nothing! all free if you promise to take time out your busy day everyday to watch the beautiful wonders of the world at your desktop.
Visit the link below to get your free gift.
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Defragment Your Hard Drive Regularly
Difficulty: Easy
How Long: 30 Mins - Days
How often: Depends on analysis, analyze weekly
Fragmentation derives from adding and subtracting files and applications to your hard disk. When files are deleted from the hard disk the empty spaces are filled at random as new items and are stored creating a very unorganized database of files and folders.
Defragmenting is the process of moving files on your hard disk to be more accessible for retrieval, which in turn increases speed of computer performance.
Basically the act of Defragmenting rearranges files on your hard disk for the best possible performance. Since the hard disk is the slowest component of the computer (because it is the only component with moving parts) it is important to keep it as healthy as possible. The longer the read/write heads on your hard disk take to find the files on the disk the slower your computer performs. It is very important to keep disk fragmentation as low as possible to help sustain a healthy hard disk and fast performance. The best way to tell if your system needs defragmented is to run the Disk Defragmenter Utility.
For Windows Operating System:
·Click Start
·Go to Programs
·Go to Accessories
·Go to System Tools (on some machines the utility may be in Accessories)
·Click Disk Defragmenter
·Select the Volume (ex. C:, D:, etc.) you wish to analyze
·Click Analyze Disk to see if the volume needs defragmented or not
·If it says you should defragment, then click Defragment
(For Advanced users you can also run defrag X:, with X being the volume you would like to defrag, in the command prompt)
Defragmenting can take anywhere from 30 mins to a couple days (no exaggeration, trust me I’ve seen it on older computers) at a time depending on how large the volume is and how bad the fragmentation is on the drive. Newer model computers usually take no more than and hour or two to defrag, but it ultimately depends on the condition of the drive.
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Video Tutorial Available Click Here My name is Sergio Woods and I’ve been studying computers for over 7 years now. I have a great deal of knowledge in aspects ranging from Internet Administration to software programming to hardware and component installation. In my studies I have come to realize that there are very general things even the most casual computer user should know how to do in order to keep their computer running at its peak performance. I feel the need to share my knowledge with any and everybody who has the desire I do to learn everything there is to know about the most revolutionary entity in our society. Also I’ve realized that there are a lot of people charging people an arm and a leg to give very common computer advise which is not worth that much at all. Sometimes people just need a little push in the right direction, and Computer Maintain.com is here to give you that push. Remember your comments and recommendations are greatly appreciated. http://computermaintain.com |
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Backup Your Data with USB Flash Drives
Everyone should know the value in backing up your data weekly, if not a daily basis but how many of us really it?
My computer of choice is a MacBook Pro and with the new Leopard operating system, I can have a program called “Time Machine” backup every time there is a change in my data but what good does that do me, especially if it is being backed up to a place on my hard drive or even on a portable hard drive? What would happen if there was a fire and I was not in the office or unable to get to my computer and portable hard drives - obviously I would be in a world of trouble.
I used to backup to CD’s, then to DVD’s and keep those at my house rather than the office but with so much data, that became a task that I didn’t keep up with very well. Over the years, USB Flash Drives have been a popular method for people to carry photos or a few documents with them but the drives didn’t offer much storage space - if you were lucky, you could get a 4GB USB Flash Drive. Thanks to the every increasing or should we say “decreasing” technology, I can get a USB Flash Drive up to 64GB if I wanted. Granted they are a little spendy but can you really put a price on the security of your important data? No Way!
Think about it - with a USB Flash Drive, you can backup all of your important documents, even put a little music and some favorite movies on there. Most USB Flash Drives work with any computer, whether it be desktop or laptop, PC or Mac, they make a great storage alternative (make sure it is compatible with your operating system) and since they fit in your pocket, you can do a quick backup every day and slip that little sucker in your pocket and Presto! Secure Data that won’t get left behind if tragedy should strike.
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Trevor Walter Freelance Marketing Group, Inc. |
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How to Clean Disc Drives
When your CD or DVD (disc) drive starts giving you problems, your first thought may be to replace it or take it to the repair shop, but a good cleaning may be all it needs.
Below are three methods to clean the disc drive. The easiest method is the least effective. The hardest method is the most effective. Since the hardest method takes some time to do, I recommend that you start with the easiest method. If it solves your problems, congratulations. If not, try the next method.
The Cleaner Disc method - this, the easiest method, uses a special cleaner disc which can be purchased in computer stores. The disc usually comes with a little bottle of cleaner solution. Apply a few drops of the solution to the disc and insert it in the disc drawer (be sure to read and follow the instructions that come with the cleaner disc). The drive will turn the disc and clean the lens. Unfortunately, this only works adequately about half the time.
The Cleaning Stick method - this is what I do in desperation when the cleaner disc does not work and I don’t want to disassemble the drive. Since all that is needed (at least in my mind this is true) is a little more pressure applied to the lens, I start out in search of a thin, flexible stick of some type which is at least six inches long. It should not have sharp or rough edges that would scratch the lens. Next, get a soft, thin cloth and put water or rubbing alcohol in the middle of it. Place one end of the stick under the wet part of the cloth and slide it into the opened disc drawer. The goal is to rub the wet cloth on the lens to clean it. Do not apply so much pressure that you will scratch and ruin the lens. Also try blowing into the disc drive to remove any dirt that may have accumulated in it. If you do not succeed at this, proceed to the next method.
The Disassembly method - this method should work but it requires you to disassemble the drive. So if you are not comfortable with taking the drive apart, please take it to a computer repair shop and let them do it.
Take the cover off your computer, unplug the cords from the back of the disc drive, remove any screws holding it in, and slide it out (you may need to remove the face plate on the end of the drawer to get the drive out). Remove the screws in the drive housing and take the cover off. The bottom side of the drive is a circuit board, so if that is what you see when you take the cover off, figure out how to access the other side. On the correct side, you should see a lens that runs on a track (there is no harm in moving the lens along the track but do not touch the lens itself). Use a wet, soft cloth to clean the lens.
Sometimes a disc drive malfunctions because there is too much dust or debris in it, so be sure to clean out the inside with either compressed air, a soft cloth, or a cotton swab. Reassemble the disc drive, put it back in the computer case, and cross your fingers. Hopefully, it will work when you turn on the computer.
If these methods work, you just saved yourself some money. If not, you needed a better disc drive anyway.
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- Ray Geide |
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How To Build A Custom PC
Learning how to build a custom PC from scratch can prove to be a tough task if you are not sure about the basics of how to build a computer. In this article I would like to lay out the basic procedures which are involved in building a computer without the illustrations. You will find that it actually becomes quite fun when you are knowledgeable on the aspects of general PC maintenance and repair and can prove to be quite profitable if you start your own business. Be sure to check the link at the end of the article for a video tutorial on how to build a custom PC from scratch.
Components
The components needed to build a computer include the following: Hard drive(s), graphics card, ram chips, motherboard, CPU, keyboard, mouse and the power supply with their associated cables.
Motherboard Mounting
The first important thing to do is mount the motherboard on the motherboard mounting plate.Make sure you screw in the nobs in accordance with the designated holes and ensure that it is secure.Once this is done the ram chips will need to be put in their slots followed by the placement of the CPU into its socket.Before you slip the CPU into its socket you will need to attach the heatsink or fan to it by making use of the clips.There will sometimes be a small cable which needs to be connected from the CPU fan to the motherboard to give it power and is usually situated in close proximity.
Once you have inserted the CPU and ram onto the motherboard you may attach it vertically to the side of the computer.
Power Supply Installation
Usually the power supply has a designated area at the back of the pc where it can fit.Just line it up with the screw holes and screw it in.You will notice that there are several cables coming from the power supply which I will briefly explain.The small plastic connectors with red,black and yellow wires are called standard peripheral power connectors which are used to give power to the hard drives and cd roms.The largest connector is the main power connector which must be attached to your computer to give it power which should be done at this point.
Installation Of Disk Drives And Graphics Card
Now you should simply attach any graphics cards to their respective PCI (white) or AGP (grey) slot.The hard drives and floppy disk drives should be put in their respective bays which are usually situated towards the front of the pc. When connecting the cables you need to be very specific so I will explain.Upon connection of the two 40 pin IDE cables to the Primary and secondary IDE ports on the mother board you will need to connect them to your hard drives and CD-ROMs based on which ones you want to be primary and secondary. Make sure the red lines on the 40 pin IDE cables are side by side with the red wires on the standard peripheral power connectors to ensure correct operation of the hard drives and CD-ROMs. There may also be jumpers which distinguish between the boot order priority which you will need to fiddle with.
Front Panel Connectors
The front panel connectors ensure that your hard drive,power button and reset button LED’s will light up when you start the computer. Make sure you consult any manual you have to ensure that they are connected correctly as failure to do this will result in the system not being able to start up.
External Device Connection
Now you should connect the keyboard, mouse, monitor display adapter, power supply connector and any other external connections to ensure that the pc boots up successfully. Your custom built PC should now be able to work.
To find out more on the expert video tutorial on how to build a custom pc please see the website below.
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How to Clean a Printer
Does your printer have frequent paper jams? Does it put ink where ink shouldn’t be? Is the outside of your printer dirty or covered with smudges? If so, it is time to clean your printer.
First, there are some general rules that apply to cleaning just about any electrical device. It is best to turn off the printer before cleaning it. Do not spray water or cleaner on or in the printer. Instead wet the rag with it and clean the printer with the rag.
Different types of printers require different cleaning methods. So if you can get your hands on cleaning instructions for your make and model of printer, do so and follow them. Unfortunately, many manufacturers only make that kind of information available to their licensed technicians. In that case, you are stuck with these instructions, so read on.
Open up your printer and take a look.
If you have an ink jet printer and there is an ink mess inside, clean it up with wet paper towels.
If you have a printer that uses toner either vacuum or blow it out. Some toner, especially color toner, can be harmful to you, so only use a vacuum with a micro-toner filter or blow and run. Figure out where the drum is (it is shiny and larger in diameter than the rollers) and do not touch or scratch it. If you do, the scratches will turn up as marks on every paper that you print and will require that you replace the drum (not a cheap option) to fix it.
Examine the path that the paper takes through the printer. Clean all of the rollers (but on a toner printer, not the drum or rollers near the drum and watch out for the rollers after the drum because they may be hot). It may take some disassembly and/or contorting of your arm to get to some of the rollers. Access is not always easy. The most important rollers to clean are the ones which pick up the paper from the paper bin and transfer it into the printer. If these rollers are dirty or bad, they will cause consistent paper jams.
The rollers are made of either hard plastic or rubber. All of the rollers can be cleaned with water or rubbing alcohol. If the rubber rollers have deposits that you can’t get off, you can use harsher cleaners but be careful because those cleaners can damage the plastic rollers and parts.
To clean a roller, wipe across the roller with a wet rag, rotate the roller, and wipe again. Do this until you have worked your way all the way around the roller. Look at the rag. If it has been blackened by the roller, move to a clean part of the rag and clean the roller again.
Once everything is clean on the inside, close it up and clean the outside. Wipe off the case and each of the buttons or knobs. If there are staples or paper clips sitting on it or wedged in the cracks, remove them and throw them away.
Other areas of the printer can be cleaned but to do so, you will have to either get training and special tools or leave it to a trained professional.
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- Ray Geide |
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How To Fix Your CD Drive Entry In Your Windows Registry
Sometimes it may happen that after you remove a program from your computer, you are not able to access the CD drive successfully. Here are some simple steps for fixing your CD drive entry yourself in your Windows Registry.
Sometimes it may happen that after you remove a program from your computer, you are not able to access the CD drive successfully. At other times the drive does not appear, or you may receive an error message when trying to access the drive. There are two basic ways of how to fix CD drive in Windows registry. One method requires that you manually modify your Windows registry to get rid of the UpperFilters registry entry as well as the LowerFilters registry entry.
It is recommended that before you start to delete the registry entries, you first uninstall all CD recording or writing programs. After the problem is resolved, you can reinstall any programs that you want. If you modify the registry incorrectly by using the Registry Editor or by using some other method, serious problems may occur. Sometimes it may happen that you will have to reinstall the operating system. First, you must log on to Windows. Then you should follow these steps in order to fix this problem:
1. Start the Registry Editor - First click start, then run, then regedit and then click OK. The Registry Editor will then start.
2. You are going to want to delete the UpperFilters registry entry. In the Registry Editor, you want to expand My Computer, and then you want to expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. You then want to expand SYSTEM and then the CurrentControlSet. After that, expand Control and ten expand Class. Under Class, you want to click the following: {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. In the topic area, you want to click UpperFilters. Click Delete on the Edit menu.
3. The LowerFilters registry entry must be deleted.
4. Finally, you want to reboot your computer. If a CD recording program does not work after this, then you have to reinstall the CD recording program all over again.
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Remember if you go around deleting stuff, not only could your computer end up highly temperamental and prone to crashes and errors, you could potentially make it die completely. You should instead stick with a program that can handle all of this for you and won’t delete things that are important rather than doing it yourself. To immediately solve your pc problems right now download a free and fast registry cleaner and fixer that will have your pc running like you just bought it today, with just a few mouse clicks - guaranteed. Don’t risk wasting your money on a product that doesn’t work. Fix your windows registry right now by visiting http://www.Fast-Registry-Cleaner-And-Fixer.com and starting a quick free registry scan that will repair your registry safely! |
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