Another year has come and gone and the holidays are finally winding down. Time to play with all the new computer items! But there is a problem. That new computer system seems to be slower than you expected. Maybe the new application for an older computer just doesn't run very well. Perhaps you received a new peripheral such as a digital camera, MP3 player, or scanner but you don't have the proper port to plug it in. This guide is here to help sort out some of these problems.
Insufficient Memory
Even though memory is much more affordable than it has in the past, the software requirements keep increasing. This isn't as much of a problem now even with new budget systems, but netbooks and older computers trying to run new software are likely to encounter such a problem. If you happen to be noticing a slowdown with software it could be that you need more memory.
The solution in both of these cases is very simple: a memory upgrade. A little work needs to be done ahead of time to make sure you are purchasing the right type and amount of memory for the computer system. Check out the Computer Memory Upgrades on how to get the proper memory for your computer. Once the memory is purchased, be sure to look at the Installing Desktop Memory or Installing Laptop Memory tutorials on how to properly install the RAM.
Missing Netbook Features
Netbooks are a hot item this year. While they are extremely portable and affordable, they got this way by reducing the number of features they have on them. A good example is the lack of a DVD drive for installing any commercial software. There are a variety of peripherals that can really expand upon a netbook to make it a much more functional system. Check out my list of recommended Netbook Accessories.
Old to New
Those lucky enough to receive a new computer to replace an older one may encounter one of the trickier problems: moving files from an old PC to a new one. Computer networks and DVD recorders have greatly reduced this problem, but the size of computer files can make this a very time intensive process. Thankfully there are a number of solutions to this problem.
The easiest and least expensive of the choices is USB based flash drives. These are small keys that can store several gigabytes of data. It may take multiple transfers to move the data, but it is an inexpensive and easy solution. Another choice could be the use of an external hard drive. These function just like the flash drives except are much larger. For more information, check out the Removable Storage tips from the About.com Computer Peripherals Guide.
3D Slide Show
The level of graphics in PC games grows dramatically each year. Of course, to produce these high quality graphics, it is also necessary to increase the performance and features of the display adapter. Older video cards attempting to play these games will quickly run into the slide show effect.
The answer to this problem for a desktop PC typically means the purchase of a new graphics card. Of course, with older computer systems, even the most powerful of the new graphics card may not help. Be sure to check that the rest of the computer components meet the recommended specifications before getting a new video card. If a new card is the answer, check out my Best 3D Budget Video Cards for solutions under $200 or the Best Performance 3D Video Cards for the best in performance regardless of the costs. If the system happens to use the older AGP graphics interface, then check out my Best AGP Graphics Cards.
Laptop users are a bit out of luck when it comes to graphics as they are built into the system and are not upgradeable. Several companies are looking into external graphics solutions that tie into the laptop via the ExpressCard slot, but they are not commercially available yet.
Where is That Port?
Since the introduction of USB, the number of devices that rely on this simple interface has exploded. Keyboards, mice, game controllers, printers, scanners, MP3 players and external flash drives all rely on this type of interface. Then there is the FireWire port that is used by digital video cameras.
So what can you do if you don't have any or have run out of these ports but have a device that needs one? Thankfully there are a wide range of expansion cards for desktop computers and for notebooks. Before purchasing one of these, make sure that your computer has one of the appropriate slots available. In addition, some older operating systems will not support these connectors. For desktop PC's there are PCI and PCI-Express based cards. Laptop PCs can use either the older Type II Cardbus or the newer ExpressCard adapters.
What if you do have USB ports but they are all in use? USB was designed to allow for expansion off the root ports with a device called a hub. This is generally a box with a USB A uplink port that goes to a port on the desktop or notebook and then supplies typically 4 ports. This can greatly expand the number of ports that a computer has available. When looking for a USB hub, try to look for a USB 2.0 high speed certified hub to ensure compatibility with the highest speed devices.
Missing Cables
The final problem is an issue that does still happen every once in a while. Most peripherals such as printers, cameras and digital audio players come with the necessary cables to connect it to your computer system but every once in a while a company decides to leave this out in order to reduce the cost on the product. If you happen to get such a product, don't worry you will be able to use it just make sure to note what type of cable it requires before you head out to the store to get it. For example, some printers use the USB A to USB B style while a camera might use a USB B to USB mini. You don't want to have to make multiple trips if you get the wrong type.
