DISCLAIMER!
This, by all means, does not encourage nor provides intel on how to acquire non-genuine versions of windows and how to "crack" them. This is solely for comparing genuine versions against non genuine.
Windows, as we well know, is quite expensive. With all the possible ways to get it without paying anything, why shouldn't we just download a hacked version from somewhere and use it?
First of all, you should know that, even if you have installed a windows version from a non-genuine source, microsoft gives you a 30 days free trial, in which your windows will behave like a genuine one.
After the 30 days are up, it is your decision what to do next.
I will list and explain the advantages of genuine windows.
Although the cases in which microsoft goes after a home user with non-genuine software are rare, for companies and businesses it is important to use genuine windows, as microsoft is more likely to pay you a visit and ask questions. They have special packages for these type of users, offering discounts and other offers.
So, what a genuine user gets.
Windows Updates
this things are pretty important. Most of the updates are meant to protect against hackers. This is important for companies, but not so much for the home users.
the useful things they send you are reliability updates, which fix certain problems with the system, such as memory leaks. Once a month, microsoft send your the malicious software removal tool for said month. This tool runs only once, but it clears all the viruses, Trojans and other mall-ware on your computer. If you wish to run it again, you need to redownload it manually from Microsoft download center.
I do not include service packs here, as they can very easily be hacked.
Windows Live Security essentials
Award winning anti virus software, comes free for genuine windows users. This is a very powerful protection tool, on par with paid third party options, such as Bit Defender or Kasperski.
Support for individual problems
Your system is exeriencing a problem others do not?
Microsoft will analyze your error reports and send back guides on how to fix the problem.
On a less official note, it is better off buying or downloading genuine windows
why? because the non-genuine installation disc images are often modified, to bypass the activation requirement and act like a genuine product. Most of the times, tampering with these files cause your windows irreparable damage. Although not visible at first, you will notice slower speed, more frequent crashes on non-genuine.
My advise:
buy genuine.
If you are using genuine windows XP, you can get big discounts on Vista or 7 with upgrade packages, which cost only a fraction of the original price.
luni, 9 mai 2011
RAM: Setting up in BIOS
In previous posts we saw how we can put memory in different modes on our mother board, and how each specification affects the chip's performance.
At long last, we got to to installing the RAM from BIOS.
This is the last step in setting up the memory chips.
By default, BIOS has the timing, frequency and voltage settings on "auto".
This allows the mother board to run with any supported memory chip installed.
However, the default setting will cause interesting crashes later on.
SO we have 2 cases here.
we put all the chips we have on the mother board but it doesn't start up.
what do we do?
well it is easy. we only leave one chip, and proceed to configuring with only one.
It doesn't really matter how many chips are installed on the mother board, you can configure the BIOS settings with at least one. Actually, it is recommended that you configure with only 1, and then add the others.
In case it works with more than 1 Chip, we go to BIOS set up.
In order to get in BIOS set up, press the BIOS setup key (usually it is DELETE key) which is displayed on your screen when BIOS is loading.
Notice that every mother board has a different BIOS.
So you will have to walk around the BIOS options to find where exactly you find the RAM settings.
Once you found em, it is pretty easy to configure
timings always match those on your chips.
voltage matches the one on your screen. remember, the voltage value on your chip is the maximum voltage at which you can safely use the chip.
Now here comes the though part.
Frequency.
this is more of a pita.
usually, on the same screen where you set the RAM configuration, you can also see the frequency of your CPU.
The frequency is dependent on the CPU frequency.
depending on BIOS, this will be done automatically, and there is nothing you can do about.
If you can do it manually, you should first notice there are several settings for your actual frequency, but each setting has a latter in front of them.
that latter must match the frequency of the CPU.
for instance.
lets say 333 is the desired frequency
now we have 333A, 333B and 333C in that list.
which should we choose?
well, on screen help should guide you through it.
A matches a CPU with 1 Ghz frequency
B matches a CPU with 2Ghz frequency
C matches a CPU wih 3 ghz frequency.
remember these are all fictional numbers, they may not match real number!
and our CPU has 2.6 Ghz frequency
we choose 333B for our RAM frequency
if the CPU were 3.ghz
we would choose 333C
If somehow you completely screw up your BIOS and it does not start up, then refer to the manual to reset your BIOS.
Usually, there are 2 jumpers on your mother board, one that resets the BIOS, and one that save changes.
If you are comfortable with the settings on auto, and windows does not cause blue screens of death, then you should leave it be.
At long last, we got to to installing the RAM from BIOS.
This is the last step in setting up the memory chips.
By default, BIOS has the timing, frequency and voltage settings on "auto".
This allows the mother board to run with any supported memory chip installed.
However, the default setting will cause interesting crashes later on.
SO we have 2 cases here.
we put all the chips we have on the mother board but it doesn't start up.
what do we do?
well it is easy. we only leave one chip, and proceed to configuring with only one.
It doesn't really matter how many chips are installed on the mother board, you can configure the BIOS settings with at least one. Actually, it is recommended that you configure with only 1, and then add the others.
In case it works with more than 1 Chip, we go to BIOS set up.
In order to get in BIOS set up, press the BIOS setup key (usually it is DELETE key) which is displayed on your screen when BIOS is loading.
Notice that every mother board has a different BIOS.
So you will have to walk around the BIOS options to find where exactly you find the RAM settings.
Once you found em, it is pretty easy to configure
timings always match those on your chips.
voltage matches the one on your screen. remember, the voltage value on your chip is the maximum voltage at which you can safely use the chip.
Now here comes the though part.
Frequency.
this is more of a pita.
usually, on the same screen where you set the RAM configuration, you can also see the frequency of your CPU.
The frequency is dependent on the CPU frequency.
depending on BIOS, this will be done automatically, and there is nothing you can do about.
If you can do it manually, you should first notice there are several settings for your actual frequency, but each setting has a latter in front of them.
that latter must match the frequency of the CPU.
for instance.
lets say 333 is the desired frequency
now we have 333A, 333B and 333C in that list.
which should we choose?
well, on screen help should guide you through it.
A matches a CPU with 1 Ghz frequency
B matches a CPU with 2Ghz frequency
C matches a CPU wih 3 ghz frequency.
remember these are all fictional numbers, they may not match real number!
and our CPU has 2.6 Ghz frequency
we choose 333B for our RAM frequency
if the CPU were 3.ghz
we would choose 333C
If somehow you completely screw up your BIOS and it does not start up, then refer to the manual to reset your BIOS.
Usually, there are 2 jumpers on your mother board, one that resets the BIOS, and one that save changes.
If you are comfortable with the settings on auto, and windows does not cause blue screens of death, then you should leave it be.
RAM: Single, dual, triple channel, flex mode, interleveled.
You probably heard about these memory set ups before, but you don't exactly know what to do about it.
For our practical example here, we will use a motherboard that supports dual channel (this applys for triple channel as well)
You will probably wonder what is the differance between single, dual and triple channel.
Well, there is a data bus between the memory chips and the CPU.
Each channel has 1 buss, that goes to the CPU.
Now, if we have a single channel configuration, only 32 (or 64 depending on CPU) bytes of data will go to the CPU at any given time
In dual channel, you virtually double the amount of data transferred to the CPU at any given time, thus making your PC faster. It is NOT twice as fast, it is just "faster". This happens because there are now 2 buses through which data goes to the CPU
Same apply s for triple channel. It has 3 times the data flow of single channel.
Although you may not notice any difference at first, your computer will run faster when using multi channel configurations.
So those are your memory slots
The red channel is channel A, the black channel is Channel B.
Now, we have several memory chips available, and we will play around with em.
Case #1 Dual channel
Lets say we have 2 (or 4) identical memory chips.
That means they have same voltage, frequency, density and timings.
And we want to put those in dual channel.
If we have 2, we can only out them in slots of the same color.
On some mother boards, puting 1 in black and 1 in red will enable them to work in single channel.
on others, the computer will simply stop working.
If we have 4 identical chips, we put 2 in black and 2 in red. And we run in dual channel.
Case #2. Dual channel inter leveled
We have different chips. but same dimm (aka DDR2, or DDR3. You can't mix different DDR)
But they have same density (aka all of them have 2 GB for example)
This type of dual channel is called "inter-leveled"
so we have chips A: with 2GB density, 800 Mhz, 5-5-5-18
and we have chips B with 2 GB density, 1066 Mhz, 5-5-5-15
To get dual channel, we put type A of chips in either channel A or B (aka the 2 identical chips must stay in same color slots) and B type in the other slot.
that means chips B will noow run at 800 Mhz, and 5-5-5-18 timings.
the higher specification chips, aka the B chips, will run at lower specifications.
they will have same frequency and timings as the A type.
Case #3 Flex mode
We have chips with different density.
although not recommended, as some mother boards won't take this very friendly, you can force these chips to run in flex mode.
If you put chips with different density in same color slots, they will run in flex mode. This means that some areas of the higher density chip will be running in dual channel, while others in single channel.
Case #4 Single channel
this is obtained in 2 situations
1) you only have 1 memory chip installed
2) you have more chips installed but placed in different colored slots.
For triple channel, you simply need 3 or 6 chips instead of 2 and 4.
For our practical example here, we will use a motherboard that supports dual channel (this applys for triple channel as well)
You will probably wonder what is the differance between single, dual and triple channel.
Well, there is a data bus between the memory chips and the CPU.
Each channel has 1 buss, that goes to the CPU.
Now, if we have a single channel configuration, only 32 (or 64 depending on CPU) bytes of data will go to the CPU at any given time
In dual channel, you virtually double the amount of data transferred to the CPU at any given time, thus making your PC faster. It is NOT twice as fast, it is just "faster". This happens because there are now 2 buses through which data goes to the CPU
Same apply s for triple channel. It has 3 times the data flow of single channel.
Although you may not notice any difference at first, your computer will run faster when using multi channel configurations.
So those are your memory slots
The red channel is channel A, the black channel is Channel B.
Case #1 Dual channel
Lets say we have 2 (or 4) identical memory chips.
That means they have same voltage, frequency, density and timings.
And we want to put those in dual channel.
If we have 2, we can only out them in slots of the same color.
On some mother boards, puting 1 in black and 1 in red will enable them to work in single channel.
on others, the computer will simply stop working.
If we have 4 identical chips, we put 2 in black and 2 in red. And we run in dual channel.
Case #2. Dual channel inter leveled
We have different chips. but same dimm (aka DDR2, or DDR3. You can't mix different DDR)
But they have same density (aka all of them have 2 GB for example)
This type of dual channel is called "inter-leveled"
so we have chips A: with 2GB density, 800 Mhz, 5-5-5-18
and we have chips B with 2 GB density, 1066 Mhz, 5-5-5-15
To get dual channel, we put type A of chips in either channel A or B (aka the 2 identical chips must stay in same color slots) and B type in the other slot.
that means chips B will noow run at 800 Mhz, and 5-5-5-18 timings.
the higher specification chips, aka the B chips, will run at lower specifications.
they will have same frequency and timings as the A type.
Case #3 Flex mode
We have chips with different density.
although not recommended, as some mother boards won't take this very friendly, you can force these chips to run in flex mode.
If you put chips with different density in same color slots, they will run in flex mode. This means that some areas of the higher density chip will be running in dual channel, while others in single channel.
Case #4 Single channel
this is obtained in 2 situations
1) you only have 1 memory chip installed
2) you have more chips installed but placed in different colored slots.
For triple channel, you simply need 3 or 6 chips instead of 2 and 4.
duminică, 8 mai 2011
RAM: frequency, timmings and density
Lets say we go to the nearest hardware shop and look for some new memory chips.
So we find one, and at specifications we see:
2GB DDR3 1333 Mhz, 9-9-9-27 1.5v
and we are like "what on earth do those number mean?"
Ok let's take it one at a time
the 2 GB, as you probably already know is the density of the chip. That means the said chip can host up to 2048 Megabytes of information, or 2 Gigabytes. this the primary thing we should be looking at when we want new memory chips. The bigger they are, the more info they can store, the more info they store, the more demanding programs we can run.
DDR3 is an abbreviation for double data rate type three. Why type three? well it has to do with the 1333 Mhz you see next to it.
the 3 next to DDR is a frequency multiplier. DDR1 is the basic milestope for frequency.
lets say a DDR1 chip has 400 Mhz frequency. a DDR2 with the same frequency will be considered at 800, and DDR3 and 1200.
the actual frequency of your chip is 444.
the thing to keep in mind is
The higher the frequency, the faster your data transfer is.
9-9-9-27
These are the 4 timing(or latency) numbers.
We won't go into more details here, as the meaning of each number isn't really relevant.
Point is..
The lower the latency numbers, the faster the data transfer is.
1.5v
This is the maximum voltage at which your chips will work properly
.
So we find one, and at specifications we see:
2GB DDR3 1333 Mhz, 9-9-9-27 1.5v
and we are like "what on earth do those number mean?"
Ok let's take it one at a time
the 2 GB, as you probably already know is the density of the chip. That means the said chip can host up to 2048 Megabytes of information, or 2 Gigabytes. this the primary thing we should be looking at when we want new memory chips. The bigger they are, the more info they can store, the more info they store, the more demanding programs we can run.
DDR3 is an abbreviation for double data rate type three. Why type three? well it has to do with the 1333 Mhz you see next to it.
the 3 next to DDR is a frequency multiplier. DDR1 is the basic milestope for frequency.
lets say a DDR1 chip has 400 Mhz frequency. a DDR2 with the same frequency will be considered at 800, and DDR3 and 1200.
the actual frequency of your chip is 444.
the thing to keep in mind is
The higher the frequency, the faster your data transfer is.
9-9-9-27
These are the 4 timing(or latency) numbers.
We won't go into more details here, as the meaning of each number isn't really relevant.
Point is..
The lower the latency numbers, the faster the data transfer is.
1.5v
This is the maximum voltage at which your chips will work properly
.
BIOS
Have you ever wondered how your windows actually starts up? Or what is that, apparently, senseless writing that appears on your screen just after your turned on your PC?
That is the BIOS (basic input/output system).
It is similar to an operating system, it has support for keyboard input and is mostly responsible for easing the communication between the main OS and hardware components.
So what does it to.
First it checks your CPU, memory, hard disk and video card
if no errors are found, it proceeds to loading your operating system.
sounds easy?
well that isn't all there is to it.
BIOS is also responsible for the good working condition of your computer.
It manages your memory.
It manages the flow of power to specific hardware components.
It constantly checks the temperature of CPU, GPU, and power supply, and turns on or off the cooling fans.
As you can probably see by now, this guy is very useful.
In fact it is so important, that any kind of corruption or damage it suffers can render your computer worthless, just a bunch of metals and plastic.
So manipulating your BIOS is dangerous.
But don't worry! most mother boards nowdays have more than 1 BIOS.
The feature is called "dual BIOS". You virtually have 2 BIOS. One that is in use and one that stays as back up. for safety reasons, the user can not update, modify, delete or modify the back up BIOS in any way. Where as, you can delete, update and change settings your you main BIOS whenever you wish.
Keep in mind that the BIOS is a sensible thing. Should you need to change any setting, make sure your follow the on screen help, or the mother board manual. So, it is better to leave it the way it is if there are no problems caused by it.
That is the BIOS (basic input/output system).
It is similar to an operating system, it has support for keyboard input and is mostly responsible for easing the communication between the main OS and hardware components.
So what does it to.
First it checks your CPU, memory, hard disk and video card
if no errors are found, it proceeds to loading your operating system.
sounds easy?
well that isn't all there is to it.
BIOS is also responsible for the good working condition of your computer.
It manages your memory.
It manages the flow of power to specific hardware components.
It constantly checks the temperature of CPU, GPU, and power supply, and turns on or off the cooling fans.
As you can probably see by now, this guy is very useful.
In fact it is so important, that any kind of corruption or damage it suffers can render your computer worthless, just a bunch of metals and plastic.
So manipulating your BIOS is dangerous.
But don't worry! most mother boards nowdays have more than 1 BIOS.
The feature is called "dual BIOS". You virtually have 2 BIOS. One that is in use and one that stays as back up. for safety reasons, the user can not update, modify, delete or modify the back up BIOS in any way. Where as, you can delete, update and change settings your you main BIOS whenever you wish.
Keep in mind that the BIOS is a sensible thing. Should you need to change any setting, make sure your follow the on screen help, or the mother board manual. So, it is better to leave it the way it is if there are no problems caused by it.
CPU vs GPU
You may have, or may not have, noticed that sometimes, we come across the "word" "GPU". yes, it is GPU not CPU. I know the 2 latter look very similar, but the abbreviations define very different components.
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. This guy is the one who solves all the mathematical instruction, permutations, checklists and other stuff related to math.
GPU stands for Graphical Processing Unit. This guy stays cozy on your video card. And, as you may have guessed, is responsible for graphics generation.
Most software that require interaction with humans have a graphical interface.
This interface is generated by the GPU.
Behind that shiny looking interface lies the instructions that "make it happen". Almost every software out there is based on code that is pure mathematics. Not too complicated mathematics, basic mathematics.
Some programming languages have support for graphics. Other don't.
For instance, C and C++ are languages that speak only and only with the CPU.
others like visual C++ or C# have instructions that go to the GPU and can create a graphical interface.
Some languages talk mostly with the GPU (like HTML).
I know this isn't very detailed. But it is supposed to help you avoid the confusion between the two.
the actual job of the CPU and GPU is far, far more complicated, and probably no one is able to describe it in a single blog post. However, as time goes by, we will stumble in other functionality of these 2 again.
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. This guy is the one who solves all the mathematical instruction, permutations, checklists and other stuff related to math.
GPU stands for Graphical Processing Unit. This guy stays cozy on your video card. And, as you may have guessed, is responsible for graphics generation.
Most software that require interaction with humans have a graphical interface.
This interface is generated by the GPU.
Behind that shiny looking interface lies the instructions that "make it happen". Almost every software out there is based on code that is pure mathematics. Not too complicated mathematics, basic mathematics.
Some programming languages have support for graphics. Other don't.
For instance, C and C++ are languages that speak only and only with the CPU.
others like visual C++ or C# have instructions that go to the GPU and can create a graphical interface.
Some languages talk mostly with the GPU (like HTML).
I know this isn't very detailed. But it is supposed to help you avoid the confusion between the two.
the actual job of the CPU and GPU is far, far more complicated, and probably no one is able to describe it in a single blog post. However, as time goes by, we will stumble in other functionality of these 2 again.
How do memory and prosessor work
Your computer uses the memory to storage temporary data that is used by different programs running in the background or on your main screen. It does so, because the CPU (central processing unit) can never run more than 1 program at any given time (unless of course, you have more than 1 CPU, but the point remains) and there are like 100 different services running in the background even on an idle computer.
So, in this case, the CPU executes one or two instructions for one service, than dumps down all the info for said service in the memory, where it stays cozy till the CPU has the chance to go back to it.
here is an example.
let's say the CPU (with 1 core for the sake of argument) has to run these 2 programs in the same time.
Both programs are a series of mathematical calculations:
A) (3+4+8)*7/8 - 45
B) 5*3/6/*3*4*6
so, the CPU goes to to program A and execute the first instruction. that is 3+4 (=7)
now it copy's the state of A in the RAM. now A looks like this:
(7+8)*7/8 - 45
then the CPU goes to B and execute the first instruction
15/6*3*4*6
then it copy's it in the RAM and goes back to A, and executes the next instruction.
15*7/8 -45
then copy's it again the RAM(in the place where it used to be) and goes back to B and so on and so on till the both programs are finished.
when the information from A and B are no longer needed, the results are erased, the memory is freed, and ready to take on another block on information.
Windows services, however, are looping. They never end, because if they do, your OS will stop working. So the CPU always does something, probably over and over and over again, just to keep the OS going.
Most processors now have several cores or CPUs, which makes then great for multi tasking.
So, in this case, the CPU executes one or two instructions for one service, than dumps down all the info for said service in the memory, where it stays cozy till the CPU has the chance to go back to it.
here is an example.
let's say the CPU (with 1 core for the sake of argument) has to run these 2 programs in the same time.
Both programs are a series of mathematical calculations:
A) (3+4+8)*7/8 - 45
B) 5*3/6/*3*4*6
so, the CPU goes to to program A and execute the first instruction. that is 3+4 (=7)
now it copy's the state of A in the RAM. now A looks like this:
(7+8)*7/8 - 45
then the CPU goes to B and execute the first instruction
15/6*3*4*6
then it copy's it in the RAM and goes back to A, and executes the next instruction.
15*7/8 -45
then copy's it again the RAM(in the place where it used to be) and goes back to B and so on and so on till the both programs are finished.
when the information from A and B are no longer needed, the results are erased, the memory is freed, and ready to take on another block on information.
Windows services, however, are looping. They never end, because if they do, your OS will stop working. So the CPU always does something, probably over and over and over again, just to keep the OS going.
Most processors now have several cores or CPUs, which makes then great for multi tasking.
Defragmentation
Computer maintenance
Wait...what?
yes, the computer requires maintenance to keep running in perfect order.
One of the things that should be done monthly is defraging the hard disk.
First, we should know what fragmentation (the opposite for DEfragmentation) is...
You should image your hard disk as a flat.
Each apartment in said flat is a block of data (for instance a folder, or a big file).
Now, the OS will do it's best to never have empty apartment. It will store files in such a way, that gaps should never appear.
If we would let the OS have his way, the hard disk would never require defragmentation.
However, we delete files from time to time, or we uninstall a program and files are left on your hard disk.
This creates empty spaces, fragments the hard disk.
The images below illustrate a fragmented and a defragmented hard disk
Fragmented:
notice the gaps between the rectangles?
Wait...what?
yes, the computer requires maintenance to keep running in perfect order.
One of the things that should be done monthly is defraging the hard disk.
First, we should know what fragmentation (the opposite for DEfragmentation) is...
You should image your hard disk as a flat.
Each apartment in said flat is a block of data (for instance a folder, or a big file).
Now, the OS will do it's best to never have empty apartment. It will store files in such a way, that gaps should never appear.
If we would let the OS have his way, the hard disk would never require defragmentation.
However, we delete files from time to time, or we uninstall a program and files are left on your hard disk.
This creates empty spaces, fragments the hard disk.
The images below illustrate a fragmented and a defragmented hard disk
Fragmented:
notice the gaps between the rectangles?
Windows hates these gaps:P
It makes your OS get to the data harder.
In some cases, the fragmentation can cause a part of a folder to be in one corner of the hard disk while the other in the opposite corner.
That is bad.
Now, this is how a defragmented hard disk looks like
Ok, how do we do it?
Start> All(my) Programs>Accessories> System tools>Disk defragmenter
Your windows should look like this:
As you can see, the hard disk is split by partitions.
For each partition we should analyze first to make sure there is fragmentation.
Should there be any fragmentation, click "Defragment disk"
Remember, the bigger the partition is, the more it will take to analyze and defrag.
Hello World
Hey fellow computer enthusiasts.
My name if Cosmin, and together we will explore the riddles of the wonderful yet complicated thing the computer is. There are are soooo many things you can do with your computer, if you know how and where to start. I have extensive knowledge on how to do things...
This is mainly aimed at those of us who don't know too many details, as in some posts I will be talking about simple, basic things. But how should one learn to do complicated things if they don't know the basics?
Of course, your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Should the guides not solve your problems, or you find something missing? Or you would like to see an article about a specific thing? feel free to tell me, as I will be reading every single one of your comments, and will do my best to answer all of your questions.
I hope you will find the guides and trivia stuff insightful and helpful. I will do my best to make em as easy to understand and follow as possible.
Off we go!
My name if Cosmin, and together we will explore the riddles of the wonderful yet complicated thing the computer is. There are are soooo many things you can do with your computer, if you know how and where to start. I have extensive knowledge on how to do things...
This is mainly aimed at those of us who don't know too many details, as in some posts I will be talking about simple, basic things. But how should one learn to do complicated things if they don't know the basics?
Of course, your feedback will be greatly appreciated. Should the guides not solve your problems, or you find something missing? Or you would like to see an article about a specific thing? feel free to tell me, as I will be reading every single one of your comments, and will do my best to answer all of your questions.
I hope you will find the guides and trivia stuff insightful and helpful. I will do my best to make em as easy to understand and follow as possible.
Off we go!
Abonați-vă la:
Postări (Atom)