Terms in laymen

I found this to be very difficult due to the fact that I am not very computer savvy yet. I gave it my best shot though.

Here are my explanations of these terms in as much laymen form as I could:

Processor frequency - The speed of your computer. How fast it can register what your instructions are.

Word size - this is bit size like 32 bits or 64 bits. This is like a bunch of little on off switches that represent every key stroke. then it sends them to your processor to calculate.

Overclocking - this means that your motherboard or processor is running at a higher speed than is suggested by the manufacturer. This can cause your computer to overheat and be permanently damaged. It is not recommended.

Data path - this determines the mathematical operations possible on the processor.

SRAM - Static RAM - is memory in a cache. this holds memory as long as your computer is powered on. This eliminates the processor from having to use the RAM memory on the motherboard. It is faster, however it is more expensive.

Primary, external and memory cache - The processor on a motherboard is the primary component of your system.

The processor has three basic components (buses). They are called the input/output unit (I/O), a control unit and one or more arithmetic logic units(ALUs). The I/O unit is called the external bus. This is where data, instructions, addresses and control signals are sent into and out of the processor.This is also called the front side bus (FSB) because it connects to the front of the processor and faces the outside world.

The amount of memory included with the processor is called a memory cache. Today all processors come with some memory on the processor chip.

Powerstax plc

From my investigation Powerstax plc is a manufacturer based out of Hampshire, England. If you have a part # you can order it on their website. You have to contact the sales rep there to get a price quote on your particular part. They have several different power supplies ie. internal, external, AC/DC power, DC/DC converters, Medical power, configurable smps and AC Frequency converters. It appears that they have 7 different series of power supplies. All their power supplies are rated by wattage.

How helpful would this website be if I need information about my power supply? I will tell you that this is one of the most frustrating sites I have ever been on and would not recommend anybody use these products because of it. You cannot find a price for anything and you have to contact their sales people to order anything. Not very helpful.
That is just my opinion though, maybe someone else will have better luck than me.

Signing off,

Kevin

Overclocking a system

Q:You want to verify that the user has not overclocked the system. How do you do that?
A: You will check the BIOS to see if the frequency has been changed.
Q: You decide to check for overheating by examining the temperature of the system immediately after the system is powered up and then again immediately after the system hangs. Describe the steps you take to do this.
A: Power up system and let it run for 10 minutes. then check the BIOS and reboot. Go into the BIOS setup and find the CPU screen that reports the temperature. This should not exceed 38 degrees C. Then repeat the steps after the system hangs.
Q: After doing the first two steps, you decide overheating is the cause of the problem. What are four things you can do to fix the problem?
A: #1-Restore the processor and system bus frequencies back to their default values.
#2-Install a new fan.
#3-Use compressed air, a blower or a antistatic vacuum to remove dust from power supply, vents and processor heat sink.
#4-Replace missing face plates over missing bays or expansion slots.




Dear user,

After careful evaluation and testing of your system I have concluded the following: Your system was overheating due to overclocking. Overclocking is when your system (Motherboard, Processor) is set to run at a higher speed than the manufacturer suggests. Therefore, it is not recommended to do this. Doing this will cause your system to not be stable overheat thus damaging your processor and sometimes voiding your warranty. I have set your frequencies back to their default settings and your system is no longer overheating and hanging up. Please feel free to call me with any additional questions or problems.


Thank you,

Kevin Holden

My complaints about overseas PC tech support

The problem with having overseas tech support is #1 - language barrier. It`s hard to communicate what I am trying to say, it is hard to understand them and often times it is hard to hear them. #2 - In this economy I think we as Americans need to hire within our country. Not only will this help the unemployed, but also help with the communication gap. I think even if we had a strong economy we should still not outsource these kinds of jobs. #3 - These are multi-billion $$$ companies, is it not to much to ask that they make a few million $$ less a year so we can keep the jobs in the USA? Therefore, you will not save money, but you will get better customer service. #4 - If I owned that company I would feel the same way. I want to earn at least $200,000 a year so I could pay more taxes, and I am serious.

Real problems, Real solutions

Q: What is the system bus called? What is the system bus frequency?
A: The Motherboard - 1600 Mhz
Q: What is the frequency for the processor?
A: 2.66 Ghz
Q: What is the brand of the processor?
A: Intel Core i7
Q: How much RAM is installed?
A: 6 GB
Q: What type of expansion slot is used for the video card?
A: PCI-Express
Q: What type of interface does the hard drive use?
A: SATA2 3G
Q: How much data can the hard drive store?
A: 32 MB
Q: What is the brand of the motherboard?
A: ASUS P6T Deluxe
Q: What type of optical drive is installed?
A: Blue Ray Burner
Q: List the terms in this ad that you do not understand.
A: I understand all the terms. Hopefully!