What is Hardware?

Are these terms familiar to you?
Monitor, RAM, CD drive, CPU, graphic cards are all hardware, or more
accurately, computer hardware. These components make up a computer,
working together with computer software to make a computer work.

Simply put, hardware is the tangible parts of your computer, parts you can touch, feel and so on.

Hardware Failures

As
mentioned before, hardware and software work together to form a fully
functional system, theoretically. However, rarely do you get a fully
functional system all the time. There will almost certainly be
malfunction of hardware, be it within the electronic circuits or even
the whole component itself. Sometimes, the originating factor of the
hardware failure is not the components of the system itself, but due to
outside factors such as environmental disasters like fire, earthquakes
and lightning storm.

Recovery of failed hardware components is not
a big problem by itself. It is basically identifying and replacing the
problematic component. However, hardware failures are most deadly, when
it affects daily routine and affecting critical personal or business
data. This is especially true of the most important component of a
computer system when it comes to storage of data, the hard disk.

The following is a list of common hardware failures:

• RAM Failures
• Power Connector
• Hard Disk
• Overheating
• LCD Failures
• Motherboard
• USB Box

RAM Failures

Bad RAM is somehow harder to
diagnose as similar symptoms may be caused by software problems, other
hardware problems or even motherboard failure. However if you experience
any of these symptoms, users should check for bad RAM before attempting
any other troubleshooting.

Symptoms:

• Windows doesn’t start showing different error messages each time.
• Windows crashes (blue screen) or freezes frequently.
• Windows crashes as soon as you try to start a program.
• Unexplained random crashes and freezes without error messages.

Power Adaptor

The common weak spot on any
laptop is the DC power jack. If someone trips over the power adapter
cable while it is still connected to the laptop, there is a high
possibility that the power jack will get severely damaged.

On most
laptops, the DC power jack is soldered directly to the motherboard and
there are only three or four small pins holding it in place, which makes
the power jack rather weak. Any sideways pulling of the DC power cord
while attached to the laptop will usually dislodge at least one of these
pins, breaking the solder around it. Modern laptops use quite a lot of
power, from about 70W to 120W or even more. The bad electrical
connection from the dislodged pin will cause sparks and heating that
will eventually burn a hole through the motherboard and can even be a
fire hazard.

Symptoms which indicates poor contact between the DC power jack and the motherboard:

• The battery is not charging properly or stays at half charge despite having to use the power adaptor.
• The screen flickers (the brightness is changing) while the power
  cord is plugged in. This is caused by the laptop switching between DC
  power (screen is brighter) and battery power (screen is dimmer).
• The DC plug gets hot after a few minutes of use and may even smell of burning.
• There are “scratching” sounds coming from the DC jack.

How to test for broken power jack:

1. Remove the battery

2. Plug in the power cord

3. Start the laptop

4. Gently wiggle the DC power plug on the back of the laptop

If the laptop shuts down abruptly (looses power), find
the dealer to re-solder or change the DC power jack as soon as possible
as the motherboard has already started to burn around the dislodged
pins. The manufacturer might offer to replace the whole motherboard;
however the price of a new motherboard together with the labor charge
for installing it will usually cost more than the current value of that
laptop and sometimes can the pricing can cost over a thousand dollars.

Replacing
or re-soldering the DC power jack is not an easy job. It usually takes a
few hours depending on the damage and the model of the laptop. To reach
the power jack, the laptop has to be completely disassembled and have
the motherboard taken out. Then if the board around the dislodged pin is
badly burned, the power jack has to be un-soldered and the board has to
be patched.

After that a different power jack has to be
installed, attached to the case of the laptop and connected with wires
to the motherboard, as the patched board wouldn’t be strong enough to
support the original type of power jack that was soldered directly to
the board.

Hard Disk

Hard disk failures are
the most common computer hardware problems. And laptop hard disks fail
more often than desktop hard disks due to the portability of a laptop as
compared to the rather stagnant laptop. If user knock hard or drop the
laptop even a few inches while the hard disk is being accessed or
powered up, damage can be done to the hard disk.

Symptoms:

• The laptop starts as usual but when Windows starts to load it goes
  to blue screen with either “UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME”, “hal.dll is
  missing or corrupt” or “WINDOWSSYSTEM32CONFIGSYSTEM” (or similar) is
  missing or corrupt. All these error messages indicate a file system
  problem. Sometimes it can be fixed by just scanning the hard disk for
  errors. However more than half of these cases indicate that the hard
  disk is starting to go bad and is probably developing bad sectors.
• The laptop starts as usual but Windows freezes on the initial
  “Windows XP” screen, although the blue bar continues to move, and users
  are able to hear feint but continuous clicking. Hard disks have to be
  replaced.
• As soon as the laptop is started there are loud clicks or grinding
  sounds and Windows doesn’t load. Hard disks have to be replaced as well.
• Shortly after starting the laptop a message appears (usually on a
  black screen) “SMART test failed. Backup your data immediately and
  replace the hard disk” or similar. Well, that says it all. S.M.A.R.T. is
  a self-test that is build into the hard disk.

In almost all cases the laptop can be started from a
“live” bootable CD and everything works normal. In rare cases the hard
disk PCB (printed circuit board) may get short circuited and even burn.
In this scenario, the laptop won’t start unless the hard disk is
removed.

A good tool to use to check for hard disk lifespan is ADRC’s hard disk checker. It will scan the hard disk for bad sectors and inform you if the drive is still of good usability.

Overheating

Overheating
happens when inadequate airflow from outside the computer’s case across
the CPU and motherboard and back out of the case usually via the power
supply fan and other case fans.

Once the airflow is disrupted,
heat builds up rapidly within the case. This causes components to either
shutdown, if such protection is built in or performs erratically. Over
the long term, overheating can irreversible damage components.

It is also advisable to keep the computer in a dry and shaded room, which is clean and little dust.

LCD Failures

The most common LCD or “Liquid Crystal Display” screen failure is the inverter, cable and backlight.

Symptoms:

• The laptop appears to start as usual but the screen is black, if users move it, it turns on and works properly. Failed cable.
• The laptop appears to start as usual but the screen is very dark,
  although it changes colour a little and users can see a very feint
  image. Failed inverter or cable 90%/10%.
• Immediately after starting the screen has dark pink/red tint and turns dark after a few seconds. Failed backlight.
• The screen flickers a few times but then turns dark, if users move
  it or tap it lightly on the sides, it flickers again. Failed cable or
  LCD 50%/50%.
• Screen is either black or white (no picture) and external monitor works. Failed cable or LCD 30%/70%.
• There are stripes on the screen (either vertical or horizontal) that
  change when users move the screen or tap it lightly on the sides.
  Failed cable or LCD 10%/90%.

Motherboard

Most motherboard related
failures are due to the “On-board” regulated supplies and component
failure within those circuits. The on-board power supply circuit had
partially failed and was overloading subsequent components else the
problem would be with the capacitors which are defective in the first
place.

A motherboard failure on a laptop that is out of warranty
would usually mean that it’s time for a new laptop. The price of a new
motherboard is usually higher than the current value of the laptop.

Symptoms:

Plug in the power adaptor and try to start the laptop.

• Nothing happens.
• The “ON” light comes on, the fan spins, but nothing on the screen (black) and you can’t hear the HD working after 10-15 sec.
• The “ON” light comes on, the fan spins, but after a few seconds the light goes off.
• After pressing the “ON” button the screen stays black and you can hear a quiet high-pitched sound coming from the laptop.

Corrupted or improper device drivers and operating system

Invalid
or corrupt device drivers can wreck havoc on a server, rendering the
system unbootable in some cases. Device drivers may also conflict with
certain application programs and cause problems with the computer
system.

As Windows Vista has just made its launch, chances are
some hardware is not supported or not supported fully by the new
operating system.

Also, system updates, driver updates can also fix your “hardware” problems.

See updating and fixes

Also,
it helps (occasionally) to call the respective support service for help
on the driver that is with that particular hardware.

Controller Failure:

A
controller failure can act much like a drive failure. However, when a
drive fails, users cannot access that particular drive; when a
controller fails, users cannot get access to all the drives, devices and
any other components that is attached to that particular controller.

A
controller fails because a component or components on the on the
controller board fails. When users trying to boot the system, they
cannot switch on, view, access, or even get hardware conflict messages.

Controller failure occurs due to one of the following reasons:

• Devices/components not connected properly
  
  Verify that the cables are properly connecting the device /component to the controller
  If the component fits into a slot, see that the it is flushed in and not loosely connected.




• Devices/components not setup properly
  
  Verify that the devices/components is being properly detected and setup in the respective controller setup screen




• Bad connectors
  
  Replace the bad connectors with new working ones




• Bad components
  
  Replace the component




• Bad interface board or motherboard
  
  It is recommended that these components be replaced or that the computer be sent in for servicing

Hardware Failure: The big issue

The big problem, as
mentioned earlier, is not replacing or repairing the non-functional
hardware, but the time lost, interruptions to daily routine (especially
for businesses), and the loss of critical data. If you need a running
system at all times, have a backup system as a fail safe, or even two.
If users want to ensure that none of their critical data is lost in the
event of a hardware problem with their computer, there is only one way
to do it — Back up the data as often as possible.

There are many
different ways to ensure that the data is backed up, and as technology
becomes advances, back up methods become much simpler.

Let’s look
for a moment at what a back up is. Backing up of computer files means
that users are making a copy of the data that will be stored somewhere
other than on the computer. Everyone should always have a back up of at
least the most important files, because should anyone experience a
hardware problem, they could still be able to access the files.

Many
people don’t back up their files, because they don’t know what they
need to back up. Start with those files that cannot easily be recreated.
Then, move on to files to which you make frequent changes just in case
you accidentally change something that you shouldn’t have. Back up your
music collection – because this can be quite expensive to replace in the
event of data loss.

In general, best practice is to back up the files at least monthly and more frequently if users access the files regularly.

What are the common accessories that people buy? The most common of
all is the battery. Some people require themselves to have more than one
battery for their cell phones. This holds true especially for people
that are always out on the field and have no time or no place to charge
their phones. Rather than losing your phone to a dead battery, it would
be best to have a spare especially if you are waiting for important
calls or messages. You have to remember that what you get when you buy a
cell phone is one battery only applicable to your phone. You need to
buy another battery if you want to have an additional battery as spare.

Chargers and cables are also common accessories. If a customer could
no longer find or the default charger no longer works, then he or she
needs to buy a new one. Micro USB cables are also common especially for
phones that could be charged through computers and laptops.

There are cell phones that work with the use of Bluetooth headset. It
is common that this piece of equipment does not go together with the
cell phone and its accessories when it is first bought. You need to
purchase this as an extra if you want to have one. This is useful so
that when you are on the road or out driving, not that driving while
talking on the phone is being promoted, you will be able to do it with
ease.

Cell phone pouches or cases are also important accessories to the
cell phone user. This helps protect your cell phone from damages or
scratches from your LCD screen. People take time to buy this important
item because this helps lengthen the life of their cell phones. The kind
of cell phone pouch or case that one needs to buy depends on the kind
of cell phone one has. We all know that mobile phones come in different
sizes and shapes. The reseller should be ready with pouches that will
cater to different cell phone brands that people are currently using.

There are tons of accessories available in the market. This is why we
have distributors that handle bulk orders of these things. In return,
they offer special packages or discounts if you buy or purchase in bulk
or in big numbers. This is how the business works. Other distributors
offer more accessories in exchange of the amount offered to you. It may
not be a lower price as compared to other distributors in your area but
getting more items also means that you get a good deal.

Buying the perfect wholesale cell phone accessories is not supposed
to give you bigger problems. Distributors are here to help you with your
needs. All you need to do is to select the best distributor and you are
on your way to buying the perfect wholesale cell phone accessories.

QSR technology is one of the fast growing sectors
within the advertising market, such to recent changes in the US food
labelling market. Understanding QSR technology is essential to realise
how it can help your QSR.

What is QSR technology?

QSR
technology comprised of a visual display for the consumers to see what
items are for sale, coupled to a device that holds the advertisements
for the menu items. The larger the better, this makes the image of the
food and the description larger and clearer, tempting you to buy it.

There
are two types of QSR technology, the first is for indoor use and the
other is for outdoor use, the outdoor QSR technology, is usually an
external kiosk that displays the menu and when you drive up to the menu
it breaks a beam and a member of the counter staff asks you for your
order, you order is taken and then you are directed to pay, after paying
you then collect your chosen food.

The indoor solution is
similar, however it varies in that you are presented with information in
the queue so you have a chance to select the food you want then when
you are at the checkout you give your selection to the counter staff and
then pay, reducing human contact, increasing profits and making the
experience a more pleasurable one, this will result in returning
customers.

Deploying QSR technology.

QSR’s
or (Quick Serve Restaurants) are deploying QSR technology so that they
are positioned ahead of their competition, this way the experience is
seen through consumers who experience a faster and more efficient
service.

So what does a normal installation consist of?

Well
the technology can be in a range of different solutions and really
depends on the budget of the restaurant owner. The budget entry QSR
technology uses domestic grade screens in a protective LCD display
enclosure, the enclosure accommodates both the screen and media player
and protects the hardware from grease and grime from within the
restaurant.

The intermediate solution is a digital poster or
digital menu board that has a standalone media player, these are sealed
and designed for indoor use in restaurants, so the hardware inside the
case is protected, the draw back can be updating the media player
manually.

The most common solution is the networked digital menu
board, this has a commercial grade screen with a media player that is
updated using an Internet connection, so ideal for single outlets that
offers a range of daily specials or multiple outlets that change content
regularly.

One great item to consider might be an LCD monitor. While your intended
gift recipient might already have a monitor for his or her desktop
system, many users can take advantage of their systems’ dual-monitor
capabilities to extend their visual workspace to multiple screens. This
can be extremely convenient for programmers, digital photo enthusiasts,
video editors, and anyone who likes to multitask. A flat-screen LCD
monitor might also make a great replacement for a bulkier older model,
providing a more vibrant picture and freeing up some needed space on the
desktop.

Another item that almost all users can benefit from is
an additional hard drive. With the continued popularity of digital
music, photos, and video, storage space has become increasingly
important for home computer users, and many desktop systems have empty
bays inside their cases that can be used to house extra internal hard
drives. What’s great about adding drives is that it not only offers
additional space but also gives the user an added incentive to organize
and back up his or her files. Even a relatively small hard drive can be
extremely useful as, for example, a documents-only storage drive or to
back up project files from applications.

Along with hard drives,
most users would also love to have more RAM to expand their systems’
capabilities and keep applications running smoothly and efficiently.
Whereas, years ago, computers operated with very small amounts of Random
Access Memory, today’s advanced applications require more RAM than ever
before, and this is an area in which most systems are highly
expandable. A lot of users will forgo additional RAM options to save a
few bucks when they initially purchase their computers, so it’s a great
component to add on later.

Of course, if you’re in the market for a bigger gift for your favorite
computer geek, an entire desktop or laptop system might be a good
choice. Though newer models can be prohibitively expensive, a system
that was state-of-the-art just a few years ago can now be purchased for
much less than its initial asking price; it might not deliver enough
horsepower for the most cutting-edge users, but an used desktop computer
or refurbished laptop is a perfect choice for a young computer
enthusiast or perhaps as a backup or portable machine for someone with
an established computer setup. Additionally, for laptop users, a docking
station can be a useful peripheral for those situations when they’re
working or playing on their system at home.

Whichever one of
these options you choose, keep in mind that used and refurbished
machines and parts offer significant cost benefits over brand-new
computer gear. A used or refurbished system in good condition can still
provide many years of use, and thanks to warranties, you can be
confident that your system or part will perform exactly as intended.
Computing can be expensive, but used and refurbished machines and parts
make it affordable to many more users, and as gifts they can spark a
hobby or interest that could lead to a lifetime of creativity and
productivity.

The
PENC is a compact computer enclosure that is used in Europe and America
by leading distribution, manufacturing and industrial companies. It has
certain attractive features which make it the most preferred of other
computer enclosures. The following are some of the features that make it
favorable:

The PENC is made from mild steel that is powder
coated. This makes it the ideal enclosure that protects your PC from
splash, dirt, dust and weather elements. This makes it most appropriate
for outdoor and indoor uses.The poly carbonate window that is shatter
proof makes it a long lasting screen protector. In addition, it will not
contaminate your product line in case it ever breaks.Another admirable
feature of the PENC is the universal VESA mount. This mount is most
useful in giving you the ability to mount LCD screen made by most
manufacturers.It does not matter which LCD/TFT monitor that you have. It
can be used on any of them and comes in sizes of up to 22″. All you
have to do is to choose a computer system that you want and add it to
the LCD instead of buying expensive machines.The seals used are also
water repellant and are made to fit any standard window, door and lock.
This makes it an efficient tool in preventing damage to your equipment.

Such
things like liquids or heavy wash down are least likely to damage your
equipment if protected with PENC 400.The lifespan of your equipment can
be prolonged through maintaining a uniform temperature. An internal fan
is therefore necessary and that is where the PENC is most advantageous.
It has an internal fan which ensures that optimal temperature is
maintained thus ensuring that your equipments last longer.Modules for
air conditioning and heaters are some of the extras that come with this
product. They allow the unit to be installed at temperatures of up to
+4100F.You can customize your PENC by adding a sliding tray for the
integrated mouse and the key board.

The Sound and Picture Quality

You must get value for your money and therefore you should choose a
camera with best sound and picture quality. Go on, read some reviews,
ask question in forums and then decide.

The shape and size

It is usually though that a smaller size is better but you need to know
the purpose of your camera to decide on the size and shape. If you are a
frequent traveler, a compact HD video camera would suit you best but if
you are going to use it at home, then a larger and more stable camera
will work for you. Visit a store and try out a few cameras, check the
positioning of controls and how comfortable they are before deciding.

Recording Format

This is one of the most important factors and depends on how you intend
to use your camcorder. If you are going to post video online, you
should opt for a model with flash memory card. But if you do not plan to
edit your video – you should prefer a DVD camcorder. For an amateur
filmmaker a MiniDV with HD would be best. The digital format should be
chose carefully according to your needs.

Lighting

The better the light, the better the video. However, lighting
conditions for beginners at home may not be ideal all the time. You
should make sure that the camcorder you buy has a good low light
performance.

The screen size

A large enough display is always best for beginners. Try to buy a video camera with a large LCD size.

Zoom and focus

Most digital video cameras have both digital as well as optical zoom.
But beginners do not always know that optical zoom is a better
technology that helps in capturing clearer video. If you are a beginner,
you may not really need manual focus. Auto-focus would work fine for
you and you would not have to worry about mastering focus if you are a
starter. However, if you plan on professional photography, getting a
camera with a manual focus is a plus.

CCD

One CCD is great and you can get a good picture but if you want a truly amazing pictured try getting 3CCDs.

Now these are just a few points, you should consider when buying a
professional video camera. What is more important is, the purpose for
which you are going to use the camera. All other features need to be
decided based on this purpose only. You should read as many customer
reviews as you can so as to get the best deal. Try going to a store so
as to check out the models yourself. Do not worry about the major high
end cameras; select one that would be easy to use for you.

Panasonic has some great range of digital video cameras for beginners; you can check them out too.

You can imagine that digital multimeter can be used in industrial applications, electrical applications, diagnose your vehicles or home usage. Multimeters come in two parts: digital and analog. The analog one has a needle, while the digital one has a LED or LCD display. We know digital products always in advance, and has trend that is to replace the analog ones. The digital one not only can be readout directly, but also can be adjusted automatically.

The types of digital multimeter come in two kinds, one is handheld, another one is desktop. In fact, multimeter are used very frequently, handheld digital multimeter will be more practical than desktop one. In other hand, handheld multimeter is much cheaper than desktop multimeter.

There is a price range of digital multimeter from several dollars to several thousand dollars. The price you pay all depends on what features you need, and how much you are willing to spend. However, if you are a beginner engineer or enthusiast, it is suggested that you neednt buy an expensive one, or it will lead a waste. You dont be worried, as any digital one has a function with measuring current, ohmmeter and voltmeter. You can buy a good brand with affordable price, such as Hantek digital multimeter.

If you are looking for a digital multimeter to begin your career or for your hobby, dont be hesitated, youroscilloscope.com will offer you more choices. You might want to know more specific details about digital multimeters in my other reviews.

LCD Television Technology

On
Television displays, fluorescent lighting is utilized to back-light
screens. LCD TVs use a Cold-Cathode Flourescent Lamp (CCFL), which have
been lamps which could, and so are utilised by some people to light
their homes. To back-light a television, a series of these lights are
horizontally laid through the back of the television. The sunshine is
distributed evenly onto the glass panel using a plastic sheet used in
front from the light and for the most part, produces a clear image in
your screen. However, building a true black picture is sometimes
difficult together with the LCD technology. Simply because to darken a
screen the sunshine source need to be blocked out, and with LCD, the
light is continuously on. Manufacturers finish this by preventing the
light source which includes a screen is darkened, however with most
televisions, the sunshine bleeds through, hence never provides a
true-black image.

LED TV Technology

LED TV technology
conversely use tubes (LEDs) that happen to be less space-consuming than
CCFL tube to supply the light. The two main varieties of LED lighting –
edge and direct mount.

Edge
lighting arranges the LEDs over the edge of the television panel.
Because of the tubes being installed on the side in the television,
those great tv can be produced much thinner. The ultra thin TV sets
displayed in shops take advantage of this kind of lighting technology.
LED light is channelled behind the television glass, with the light
being spread evenly by guides.

Direct lit LEDs are tubes placed
behind those great tv glass. The amount of LEDs placed depends upon the
length of those great television with possibly 1500 LEDS. An individual
LED can be responsible for smoking cigarettes 1400 pixels with your
screen. Lower than replacement direct lit LEDs is that if an area within
your screen is dark, the LEDs is often deterred thereby increasing the
contrast. Beautifying referred to as local dimming, which LCDs cannot
perform.

There are two forms of direct lit LEDs – White and RGB
(red, green, blue). White LEDs act like CCFLs in that they produce white
light. RGB LEDs use the three colours, helping to make the tv competent
at a broader range colour.

The debate that is superior out of
LCD and LED TV technology continues, along with the debate on what kind
of LED tube is the most suitable is undoubtedly an a great deal larger
debate. Opinion, in this case, completely rules!

First, let’s talk about your iPhone screen. The “screen” is actually made up of two parts. First, the digitizer, or touch-screen, is the outer glass screen that is sensitive to your touch – what you use your finger on. Underneath that shiny optical-glass iPhone digitizer is the LCD screen. The iPhone LCD screen is what is actually displaying the images that you see.

The first generation iPhone has the LCD and Digitizer combination fused together as one piece. This means that if you break your digitizer or your LCD screen, you’ll need to replace both, since there’s no way to separate them from one another. Well, you can do it, but you’ll destroy both the LCD and digitizer in the process. This fused together situation is also the reason why 1st generation iPhone screen repairs are more expensive than the 3G or 3G S iPhone models.

Onward to the iPhone 3G! The iPhone 3G was not only a huge improvement in functionality, but also much better to repair than the first generation iPhone model. The iPhone 3G was the first iPhone that separated the LCD screen from the touch-screen digitizer. This means that if you only break your digitizer, you only need to replace that part, instead of both the LCD and digitizer. This separation continues with the iPhone 3G S model.

So, how do you keep from breaking your iPhone screen? Suggestions include:

1. Get a case! Wrap your iPhone in silicon, leather, your favorite material – anything that will act as a barrier from the ground and your iPhone, because you WILL drop your iPhone – it’s inevitable.

2. Watch those edges. Just like our laptop advice, keep your iPhone away from the edge of tables and desks. It’s very easy to hit your iPhone and send it sliding off onto the ground.

OK, so you have a case and you were extra careful, but you still broke your screen. What now? Relax, TechRestore can help! We offer a 24-hour repair service for iPhone screen replacement for just $99. We repair hundreds of iPhones each week and we employ Apple Certified Technicians to insure your repair is handled correctly. We receive cracked screen iPhones everyday at our secure facility in Concord, California from our 2000+ local drop-off locations throughout the United States. TechRestore has developed an exclusive “Factory-Fit” process to insure that your iPhone screen will look just like it did before it got cracked and broken.