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My RAID Has Failed but I Can Still Access My Data

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:44:11 +0000

More likely than not you have been alerted to your failed RAID by means of an email from the RAID controller or perhaps a fault light is flashing on the front of the controller itself.

Your first instinct is of course to check that you can still access your data. Assuming that you still can do so then there is absolutely no need to panic, you just must make sure that you do not ignore it and act now. Note that by “being able to access your data” it is important to understand that simply being able to see your data listed (say via Windows Explorer for example) is not enough to be sure. Seeing your data listed is like seeing the index for a book, the fact that you can see a file list does not necessarily mean that the data is still there. To be sure- try opening a large size file (at least 500KB). If this opens Ok then it is very likely that the rest of your data is OK.

From here I suggest that you firstly backup any particularly critical data to an outside location such as a portable hard drive before you follow your RAID controller’s instructions for replacing the failed drive and re-building the RAID array. This is advisable because we see a lot of RAIDs for recovery that have suffered additional failures during the process of re-building the RAID after the first failure. This can leave the RAID in an intermediate state from which it is virtually impossible to recover your data without the need for expensive RAID data recovery.

Even when it is in the hands of professionals it can be difficult to extract the data from a half re-built storage volume. But is you have followed the advice of first backing-up to a second location then you can laugh in the face of fate on this one.

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All About Quad Monitor Splitter

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:05:11 +0000

Quad monitor splitter is a combination of KVM switch and video splitter that enables you to monitor and view video signals from 4 other computers in a single screen at the same moment. This is a huge space saving option along with the savings on expenditures on extra mouse, keyboards, and monitors. Both digital and analog devices can be connected to the monitor splitter with appropriate cabling. With the use of more splitters, the number of computers managed can also be increased. In other words, the source can be DVI or VGA.

There are 4 different modes in a Quad splitter and they are; PIP mode, Quad mode; dual mode; and full screen mode. The quad mode enables display of 4 video images taken from four different sources at the same time. Here, the screen is equally divided into four and the images from the 4 sources are displayed.

The PIP mode displays one image to be displayed in the entire screen at a given point and the other three images can be monitored as thumbnails and viewed as per your requirement. Here, the thumbnail position and size can be customized.

The dual mode enables display from two video sources and these images are displayed in the two equal halves of the entire screen.

The Full screen mode also lets one single image to be displayed in the entire screen at any given point while the rest of the images can be controlled with mouse and push buttons that are provided in the front panel.

These splitters are more user friendly than other electronic splitters such as the rj45 splitter or a internet splitter. For example, the latest version of Quad monitor splitter has the feature of touch screen to control the image displays and selection of the desired image. There are LEDs that act as indicators to display the status of the image that is selected.

The best news is, the resolution of the video images is about 1600 x 1200 with a multi platform support. These splitters also work with PS2 and USB computers and digital devices such as HDTV tuners, satellite receivers, and DVD players too.

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Netbook Question: which OS is Good for my Needs?

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:51:07 +0000

Hardware and netbook specifications have been discussed and re-discussed both in the media and on review sites but the time has come to turn our attention to the software we can install on our mini computer and the power which hides behind it. As a manner of approach we shall consider a parallel between the well known OS products out there while still keeping in mind the fact that some of them are free and not developed inside a multi-billion dollar company.

To begin with, we will call on stand the most used netbook operating systems in the domain: Microsoft Windows 7 and Ubuntu 11.04 Netbook Remix while remembering the fact that there are out there many others such as Google Chrome OS or Jolicloud. So our first benchmark is the use-ready feature of any OS and this means how much functionality and use it has just after install without any other software. On this asopect the Ubuntu Linux outclasses its rival by being able to write text, play music and video, and use the web or the e-mail client Thunderbird while Windows 7 needs Microsoft Office and a multitude of other software to perform these tasks.

On the other hand, in the portability section Ubuntu loses a lot of ground due to the fact the most common netbook software is being built for Windows and the Wine emulator Ubuntu posseses cannot handle large and complex pieces of software. This is why many are scared of Ubuntu Linux and go for the Windows which is much easier to handle for beginners even with the recent advances in graphics and user friendly methods implemented in the last ears.

Furthermore, to make the debate complete we have to consider one more thing and this is the money aspect of the problem. Although the Ubuntu can be a little harder to handle at first it costs only 0$ to download from the original website while Windows 7 can set you back $80 for installing the netbook OS only so a minimum of about $120 or so is needed to make the netbook fully equipped with the latest software.

All in all, choosing the right software and netbook OS has an impact not only on performance but also on productivity and battery life so the choice is not an easy one. It will make the difference between an average netbook and the fastest netbook available on the market An advice in the domain is to test the free products first before orienting for a Microsoft product and there are a multitude to choose from in many shapes and sizes.

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What is the Purpose of an USB Extension Cable?

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:18:07 +0000

There are several types of peripheral devices that are to be connected to a computer or laptop at a time and these devices are found to have USB ports. The best way and easy way to connect up to 4 USB devices at the same time to a host computer, is using USB extension cable or USB boosters. This has become very popular and widely used all over the world today. The devices can be away from the computer – up to 150 meters, yet you can connect them with ease with the help of the USB extenders. If your requirement is even more, then fiber optic cable extenders are used and these can serve up to 10 km.

There are various versions of USB extension cables that are used in the market and they are; fiber optic extender, Cat5 extender, and wireless extender. All of them do the same job but only difference is the way in which they connect to the host computer. A Cat5 uses a normal cable, fiber optic extender uses fiber optic cable, and wireless extender does not use a cable at all. Also, the distance of extension also varies; the fiber optic extender can extend service for a longer distance than the other two models.

Usb extender which also finds its use as an USB splitter is a typical hardware device that requires no set up or software to run it. You have to just plug and play to use this and this is compatible with almost every USB device. The wireless USB extender is very compact and the RJ45 extender that is placed saves all the space and clutter that happens under normal circumstances when a cable is required. An LED that is placed in the front indicates the working status of the link.

All the three models serve the same purpose of extending the USB service to the remote devices and are found in places like home offices, schools, hotels, Government offices, commercial applications, and conference rooms.

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Laptops with All Basic Features and More for a Few Dollars

admin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 22:25:04 +0000

Never under estimate laptops that are sold under $200.00, as some of these laptops have all the features that you can ever imagine of and are the best suitable for a frequently traveling businessperson, student, and the best as an extra computer for your home. All the basic and essential features are offered under $200.00 by the top manufacturers such as Toshiba, Dell, IBM, Hp, etc. and there is nothing to worry about the quality and trustworthiness.

You can find that, these laptops, which are otherwise called as mini laptops or netbooks costing under 200 dollars, are very sleek and hence can be, carried anywhere anytime. When you have the necessity of taking down notes or have all the details for a business meeting, these laptops come very handy. Since these laptops enable you to browse the Internet, send and receive emails, chat with people by sending instant messages, and also listen to music. Some of the laptops have features of burning CD and playing DVD too.

USB ports are also there for you to connect external USB devices in case of requirements. Other features include SD card slot, TFT technology for a crisp and clear display of images on the screen, hard disk with fast flash for a higher performance of the hard drives, SD card slot for the laptops to write and read data, and quick boot facility.

These laptops under $200.00 usually have a screen size of 14” or 15”. They also have a hard drive capacity of up to 20GB; memory of around 250MB; an operating system such as Windows XP; etc.

Popular companies are still improvising on their mini versions of laptops or notebooks to accommodate more features to serve every requirement of their customers. They also offer clearance sale of older models with higher features for a lesser rate during the launch of their newer versions.

\Refurbished laptops are also good options.

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Pay less, Play more

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:03:07 +0000

Debt is everywhere but jobs seem to be lacking. The difficulty of life forces us to be practical in every way possible. But even with recession, having a way to enjoy leisure time is important. Productive people know how to play in their spare time. As the quote goes “All work and no play makes Tom a dull boy”. Computer gaming is one way to shake off the fatigue of daily work. There are Laptops which are budget friendly. The competition in the computer industry forces manufacturers to have the best products at the lowest possible price. Gaming Laptops Under $500 are rewards for hard working individuals who need to take a break.

Compaq Presario CQ61-403SA can be bought at approximately $400. This 15.6 inches laptop comes with a 1366 x 768 resolution. It comes with AMD Sempron M120 processor at 2.1 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive and ATI Radeon HD 4200 Graphics. It has a built in webcam.

Another laptop which can be used for gaming is Acer Aspire AS4315-2535. This laptop features Celeron M540 processor, 1 GB RAM, 14.1 inches display and 120 GB hard drive. It is priced at around $419.

Dell Vostro 1000, Lenovo IdeaPad S10 Mini-Notebook and Asus Eee PC 1000H 80GB XP Mini-Notebook are other Gaming Laptops Under $500. Here are Gaming Laptops Under $1000.

Dell XPS M1530 is a high powered laptop by Dell. Enjoy uninterrupted gaming with its long lasting battery life. Features include Nvidia 8600M GT 256MB graphic card, 2.20GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB RAM, and a decent 160 GB hard drive.

At approximately $750, you can own the Toshiba Satellite P300-ST6711. Be mesmerized while playing with a wide 17 inch screen. It has 160 GB hard disk and 1 GB RAM. Many gamers love Toshiba Satellite P300-ST6711 smooth and sleek design. The good quality audio makes gaming more realistic.

So consider these options when looking for a great way to spend your hard earned money.

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Wireless Air Cards for Internet Mobility

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:43:05 +0000

Using a laptop is a great to access the internet while on the go. They offer portability and convenience. If you are planning to stay put for awhile in a café, library or other place that allows wireless internet access, you will be able to work as long as needed to get the job done.

The down side of using a laptop is that you are effectively anchored to a set location. A notebook may improve mobility, but for true working on the move, you need to look at wireless air cards. This is a fantastic tool that will allow you a much larger range because they use cell phone frequencies. If you can get cell phone service, this system will work.

Several issues that one needs to be aware of when using a wireless air card. One is the fact that the cellular service used must support both voice and data transmission. Another issue is that air cards are specific to certain providers. It is important to check with your cell service provider to determine the compatible card.

Your card will only work in your provider’s coverage area. It is important to make sure that you will have the ability to work wherever you need to, so make sure you contact your cell service for an updated map of coverage. If you are planning to work across the United States, you may have to change your service to get the broadest possible service.

As this technology continues to gain in popularity, there are many people who actually will cancel their standard internet service and simply use an air card to access the internet.

A laptop can be a valuable tool. But for the person who needs to work on the go, these wireless air cards are the way to go.

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Boosting Your Wireless Signal

admin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:05:11 +0000

Everyone these days is talking about upgrading to a wireless N network. You might be wondering if you are a good candidate for the upgrade, or if you’ll even notice a difference. The only way you might actually notice an increase in speed or power is under the following two conditions. First, you have weak or spotty wireless coverage in your house that limited or drops out connection. Second, you watch a lot of movies and TV streaming in HD online and could use the extra boost to increase your buffer time.

People don’t want to hear that their new linksys wireless n adapter is useless without a router upgrade, but that is the truth. Without a complete upgrade to your network, you don’t receive any of the advantages of the new wireless N technology. Upgrading so many pieces can also be quite costly, so if coverage spread is your only issue, there are cheaper solutions. For example, there are several types of signal booster for wireless router units.

For the cheapest and simplest upgrade to a wireless G network, consider a wireless router booster. Boosters plug into your wall and take the internet signal you already have and just amplify it. This will give you better stronger coverage without the need to upgrade equipment or change settings on your computer.

If you are hung up deciding whether a wireless N network is right for you, take a minute to think about what you use the internet for now, and how you think you’ll use it in the future. If you only check email and news online, you will never need the power or expense of wireless N. However, if you want to eventually video chat with family, play games online, or watch high definition television online, consider the upgrade to wireless N an investment. The technology should remain current for years and years to come, with any luck.

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How Compressors Work

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 19:26:05 +0000

Refrigerators and air conditioners basically work using the same method. They evaporate a liquid called refrigerant at very low temperature to absorb heat so it can create the freezing temperature. In order to do this, refrigerators and air conditioners are made of basic parts which are the compressor, the expansion valve, the refrigerant and the heat exchanging pipes inside and outside the units.

First, the compressor compresses the refrigerant gas to increase its pressure and temperature so the outside pipes would allow the refrigerant to disperse the heat. As the temperature cools down, the refrigerant turns into liquid which then moves from a high pressured zone to a low pressured zone which makes it expand and evaporate. When it evaporates, it absorbs the heat which leaves the unit cold.

So once there is damage to any parts of the refrigerator or air conditioner that we have, it would ultimately stop working and we might need to buy new parts. Most times it is the compressor that is easily damaged especially if it is a hermetic compressor. The problem with hermetic compressors is that once they get damaged, the only option would be to replace them. So if you have to buy a new compressor, opt for semi hermetic compressors instead. They are partially sealed and have serviceable and repairable parts. So just in case they get damaged, you can still have them repaired instead of buying a new one.

There are many companies offering different types of compressors. One of which is Danfoss. Danfoss has a variety of household compressors, light commercial compressors and direct current compressors. Their household compressors are great for household appliances while their light commercial compressors are great since they are small so you can fit them inside cabinets and such, and yet despite the size, they are able to function in high performance without using a lot of energy.

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Asus U30SD Notebook Review

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:22:08 +0000

The Asus U30SD laptop is a little bit larger than a standard netbook but provides the power and functionality of a full laptop in just 4,5 lbs of weight. This notebook will delight the audience thanks to its stylish look and elegant design lines with the aluminum chassis which helps to make it extremely resistant to spills and accidental bumps. A device really perfect, so for anyone looking for a notebook capable of combining portability and personality, but without sacrificing good performance.

To get the right mix the Asus U30SD has been equipped with an Intel Core i5 second generation and a dedicated video card NVIDIA GeForce GT 520M with 1 GB of memory, for consistently brilliant performances, both in the media and with games that requires fast speed.

This laptop has the best of comfortable size 13.12 x 9:52 x 1.2 inches and Weighs about 4.8 pounds. Asus U30SD also has the DVD burner whit an “island” style keyboard for a precise and comfortable typing, and the battery life can reach 8 hours of continuous use (about 8 hours if you use it on “battery mode” and 6 hours if you use it on “high performance mode”).

The good-quality touchpad ensures precision navigation and your finger slides across it nicely. That said, we think it would benefit from being a few centimetres longer. Plus, it barely even qualifies as multitouch, as only two-fingered vertical scrolling is recognised—there are no horizontal scrolling or zoom functions.

To be connected has Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n air cards, Bluetooth 3.0e an ample supply of interfaces that include the HDMI video output for use on larger monitor.

Technical details:
-Intel Core i5-2410M dual-core processor
-Ram: 4GB DDR3
-Hard Drive-500GB
-HD-13.3-inch widescreen LED-backlit
-NVIDIA ® GeForce-% u2122 520M GT with 1GB VRAM
-DVD-SuperMulti Drive
-Wireless air cards: 802.11 b / g / n (@ 2.4GHz), Bluetooth 2.0
-Frontal-Camera: 2.0 megapixels
-Audio-Speakers: Altec Lansing speakers with SRS Premium Sound
-OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

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