Monitors and Graphics Cards

Monitor
A computer display, monitor or screen is a computer peripheral device capable of showing still or moving images generated by a computer and processed by a graphics card. Monitors generally conform to one or more display standards. Sometimes the name "display" is preferred to the word "monitor".

Graphics Card
A peripheral device that attaches to the PCI or AGP slot in your computer to enable the computer to process and deliver video. Once installed in the computer, a cable is used to attach the graphics card to a computer monitor. Graphics cards can also be 'onboard', built into the motherboard.

Nothing displayed on the Monitor
Check the monitor power button is set to on and that the monitor lead is in the back of the computer in the relevant socket.  Does the PC have power; is it making the usual start-up noises? If not it is possibly a PC issue rather than a monitor one.

Modems, Routers and Firewalls 

Modems
Modems transfer data from one computer to another via a phone line, whether it be direct data transfer from your computer to an associates or from your computer to an ISP's computer giving you access to the internet.  There are two types of modem available 56kbps and broadband the latter being the faster.

Routers
A network device that connects two similar networks having the same network protocol. It also chooses the best path between two networks when there are multiple paths. Used in conjunction with a broadband modem to create mini-networks connected to the internet. This kind of setup may also incorporate a hardware firewall for network security.

Firewalls
A firewall is a hardware or software solution to enforce security policies. In the physical security analogy, a firewall is equivalent to a door lock on a perimeter door or on a door to a room inside of the building - it permits only authorized users such as those with a key or access card to enter. A firewall has built-in filters that can disallow unauthorized or potentially dangerous material from entering the system. It also logs attempted intrusions.

What is Adware & Spyware

Adware is essentially a form of spyware that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.

Error Codes and How to Use Them

Error Codes: Overview

On Windows computers, error codes are used to provide users with detailed information about the cause of the error. For instance, error codes help you identify whether the error has occurred due to faulty hardware, damaged software files, or invalid user inputs.

Quite often, when code errors occur on your Windows PC, your system performs a physical dump of the memory, and displays a blue screen, also known as the Blue Screen of Death or BSOD. This blue screen comprises an error code and an error message. If your system shows the blue screen, it is recommended that you note down the error code and the error message displayed. You can use this collected information to look for the cause and the possible resolution of the problem. One of the best resources to look for code error resolution is the Microsoft Support Web site.

Code Errors: Examples

Let’s have a look at a few code error messages for better understanding.

“Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)”

Code 39 errors may occur due to a missing driver, a corrupt binary file, problems with file Input/Output process and referencing problems in a device driver.

To fix error code 39, you first need to uninstall the current driver, scan your PC for any hardware changes, and then reinstall or upgrade the driver of the faulty device. To do this, perform the following steps:

• Click the Start button, select Run, type sysdm.cpl in the Open box, and then click OK.

• On the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.

• Locate faulty device and double-click on it.

• On the Driver tab, select the Uninstall button to remove the current driver.

• On the General tab, click the Troubleshoot button to launch the Troubleshooting wizard that helps you scan the system for hardware changes and then, upgrade the driver accordingly.

“This device is either not present, not working properly, or does not have all the drivers installed. (Code 10)”

Code 10 error messages such as the one given above are displayed when the driver of the hardware device you are trying to use is missing, damaged or incomplete. This code 10 error message may also be displayed if there is a problem with the hardware device you are trying to use. If the error is due to a problematic driver, you can repair it by updating the driver from the Device Manager. You may also use the Troubleshooting wizard to locate the exact cause of the problem and fix it.

Runtime Error 217

This error may occur when one or more of the following happens:

• One or more DLL files fail to register correctly when you install an application.

• There is a problem with the regional settings of your computer.

• Msvcrt.Dll and MS DCOM files on your system are obsolete.

• Virus or spyware infections.

• Corrupt or damaged Windows registry.

You can fix runtime error 217 by updating your computer to replace outdated and missing files.

In addition to the resolution steps listed above, you can use a reliable Windows registry cleaner tool to scan and repair registry errors and use efficient antispyware and antivirus tools to perform a thorough scan of your computer and ensure that it is free from any infected or dubious malware file.