Is It Time To Buy A New Computer?

Is It Time To Buy A New Computer?

Piter Gursky

Is It Time To Buy A New Computer?

With the Internet and computer technology developing every single day, you might want to give your old computer a long break it badly needs. Computer has gone a long way from being just a mere typing machine.
If you want to know whether you need to box-up your old computer or buy a new one, here's a quick checklist:

Operating system Run only in Windows 95/98 (or older operating systems!) Old operating systems won't allow you to add on scanners, printers, or dig cams. It also won't allow you to run newer programs.

Updated RAM  If your computer takes forever to load up, chances you need to add more RAM. Some old RAM chips might not be available in the market anymore and they don't come cheap too.
Small hard disk space Isn't it frustrating when you come to the point that you have to delete older files to make space for your new ones? This clearly states that you badly need a new hard disk. The market now offers as much as 500 GB for personal computers.

Software doesn't run  If new software doesn't work on your computer, then it is no longer compatible with new programs in the market, and you absolutely need to change your system.

Slow processors  If you are doing some graphic works on your computer, then it suddenly bogs down, then you are in trouble. Older computers don't even come close to opening website with large graphics.
If you find yourself in the above situation, then it's high-time that you buy a new computer. Below are some quick tips that can do you a lot of help:

Tips in Buying Computers
The first thing you need to ask when buying a computer is "what would it be used for?" If you just need to type up writing assignments or do some office works, then a computer with a decent word processing program would go.   If you were using the Internet often, then you would need a computer with 128 MB of memory and at least Pentium-2 processor.

If you do some graphics, edit pictures or create videos, aside from higher RAM and larger space, you need a good video card to view your work as actual as it can be. Also check the compatibility of other devices like scanners and printers to your computer.   If you are decided to buy a new computer, then allot at least $500 of your budget. If you want a high-end computer then it definitely costs a lot more than that. Don't think that you get the best deals when you buy a computer on a cheap price. Always go for quality, it's a total headache if your computer acts up in the middle of your work.

When buying a new computer, think properly what you need before heading to a computer shop. It is also a good thing to have a chit-chat with a computer salesperson. Ask them all the things you want to know. With enough patience, the right computer for you is just one decision away. For more info you may want to visit htt://www.baytradecomputers.com

Why Do Computer Users Need Backup

Why Do Computer Users Need Backup
Computer Files Backup
Makabongwe Maseko

 

First whats the meaning of backup? Back up is the name given to diskettes, or disks that can store copies of programs and then stored elsewhere.

Even with the best of care, any disk can suddenly fail for reasons you cant understand. Many computer users have found themselves unable to retrieve data from disks that worked perfectly the day before, because some defect has damaged a single track or small sector. Hard disks do crash. Any personal computer system can be hit by power overloads, water or misconducts.

Thus, users and big or small companies should always think about backup. The best protection if youre writing, designing, researching something is to make two copies of your data. One copy may be on your hard disk, certainly, but duplicates should be on tape, disks or removable hard disks cartridges, recordable CD-ROMs or flash drives.

If you are backing up less than 10MB, you can use diskettes since that is the most they can take, if you are backing up more than 10MB, then a tape, disks or flash drives can be more efficient. If you work with files daily, then you would be most secure if you backed up all your files every day. If you work with files only occasionally, you need to determine how often backup is needed. And remember to keep the backup media in a different place. If your computer system and your backup disks are in the some structure and the place burns down, your backup is obviously worthless. So consider moving them to a different place or location.
Some microcomputer software programs provide automatic backup. One program would be with Colorado scheduler. What you do is you insert your disk in the disk drive and with a single mouse click on the Colorado scheduler icon, the computer takes care of the backup.

Almost all large computer systems have scheduled automatic backup of either full backup or only those files that have changed since the last backup session.

You should note that some storage medias last longer than others. We have seen tapes deteriorate day by day. And will eventually deteriarate in the next 5 years. But this also depends on how its stored. Hard disks cartridges have shelf life of about 10 years, according to most hard disks manufactures. You can get MO drives but they are more expensive yet also more durable.

The life span of a CD-ROM disk is almost unlimited. Thus you need to archive your backup material before deciding on a storage medium.

Now, be sure to have a timed backup strategy. By this, if you add and change data every day, set your backup software (if you have one) to back up those files every night. And you could keep two storage cartridges: a working one and one stored in safe place. Then exchange the cartridges on weekly bases.
Backing up your information and research has to be a must in your life. If you have not lost any work due to computer crushes, disk damage, or viruses then you better backup you data before it happens. Dont wait for it to happen to you.