Computer Hardware and Networking

Archive for May, 2009

To NTFS or not to NTFS—that is the question. But unlike the deeper questions of life, this one isn’t really all that hard to answer. For most users running Windows XP, NTFS is the obvious choice. It’s more powerful and offers security advantages not found in the other file systems. But let’s go over the differences among the files systems so we’re all clear about the choice. There are essentially three different file systems available in Windows XP: FAT16, short for File Allocation Table, FAT32, and NTFS, short for NT File System.

FAT16
The FAT16 file system was introduced way back with MS–DOS in 1981, and it’s showing its age. It was designed originally to handle files on a floppy drive, and has had minor modifications over the years so it can handle hard disks, and even file names longer than the original limitation of 8.3 characters, but it’s still the lowest common denominator. The biggest advantage of FAT16 is that it is compatible across a wide variety of operating systems, including Windows 95/98/Me, OS/2, Linux, and some versions of UNIX. The biggest problem of FAT16 is that it has a fixed maximum number of clusters per partition, so as hard disks get bigger and bigger, the size of each cluster has to get larger. In a 2–GB partition, each cluster is 32 kilobytes, meaning that even the smallest file on the partition will take up 32 KB of space. FAT16 also doesn’t support compression, encryption, or advanced security using access control lists.

FAT32
The FAT32 file system, originally introduced in Windows 95 Service Pack 2, is really just an extension of the original FAT16 file system that provides for a much larger number of clusters per partition. As such, it greatly improves the overall disk utilization when compared to a FAT16 file system. However, FAT32 shares all of the other limitations of FAT16, and adds an important additional limitation—many operating systems that can recognize FAT16 will not work with FAT32—most notably Windows NT, but also Linux and UNIX as well. Now this isn’t a problem if you’re running FAT32 on a Windows XP computer and sharing your drive out to other computers on your network—they don’t need to know (and generally don’t really care) what your underlying file system is.

The Advantages of NTFS
The NTFS file system, introduced with first version of Windows NT, is a completely different file system from FAT. It provides for greatly increased security, file–by–file compression, quotas, and even encryption. It is the default file system for new installations of Windows XP, and if you’re doing an upgrade from a previous version of Windows, you’ll be asked if you want to convert your existing file systems to NTFS. Don’t worry. If you’ve already upgraded to Windows XP and didn’t do the conversion then, it’s not a problem. You can convert FAT16 or FAT32 volumes to NTFS at any point. Just remember that you can’t easily go back to FAT or FAT32 (without reformatting the drive or partition), not that I think you’ll want to.

The NTFS file system is generally not compatible with other operating systems installed on the same computer, nor is it available when you’ve booted a computer from a floppy disk. For this reason, many system administrators, myself included, used to recommend that users format at least a small partition at the beginning of their main hard disk as FAT. This partition provided a place to store emergency recovery tools or special drivers needed for reinstallation, and was a mechanism for digging yourself out of the hole you’d just dug into. But with the enhanced recovery abilities built into Windows XP (more on that in a future column), I don’t think it’s necessary or desirable to create that initial FAT partition. Read the rest of this entry »

Re you sick and tired to fix your computer? Do you feel like you to waste too much hour and money on repairs? Well, you are in the chance because we are here to help! With these simple ends however valid, your computer will not be any more one disturbance. Believe it or not, there be much of small things which you can make to prevent of the important catastrophes of computer. If you belonged to a small company, a multinational, or right a domestic user, these minor suggestions will help to maintain your computer in the form of first order.

1. Old hardware

Studies have shown that most computer difficulties are a result of old hardware. After about 24 to 36 months, the likelihood of problems increases significantly. With computer prices rapidly declining, one major repair bill might even cost you more than a new system. Therefore, consider replacing your system every 3 years—it may save you more in the long run.

2. Power protection

In addition to data loss, surge and power drops can cause significant damage to sensitive components and even reduce their lifespan. For the most part, surge damage occurs over a long period of time without obvious signs of impairment. Ultimately, this means they will wear out over time. One way you can prevent this is by replacing your surge protector every two or three years.

3. Illegal software

Nowadays, many software programs automatically report their usage via the Internet. Although this may seem unimportant, many businesses don’t realize that they don’t own software—just the licenses to use it on a specific number of desktops and laptops. As a result, breach-of-license letters and audits from software manufacturers to businesses are certainly on the rise.

4. Training

According to recent research, most employees understand less than 20 percent of the software products they use. Although training your staff may seem like a waste of money at first, the gain in productivity far outweighs the cost.

5. Firewall and security

The Internet is full of hackers who are trying to steal files or customer records and delete important data. For this very reason, it’s important that your computer is updated with the latest security patches, including proper installation and maintenance of firewalls. Remember, this general rule also applies to laptops and tablet PCs.

The bags of laptop are now available everywhere in many stores with much of various options and designs. This means you the need to stop and think of what you will have need while you nondomestic or the office. You will have to count on top protecting you piece of equipment, so much there are necessary considerations of afew.

The first and most critical step is what kind of bag style suits you? Are you looking for a bag that can hold travel items for you, not just a laptop?

Are you looking for a bag that is only made for laptops? How about arrangement? Are you a backpack kind of individual?

Do you want a designer bag?
Materials are also all important. There are many textiles available from ballistic nylon to lavish leather.

Once your mind is made up as to what sort of bag, backpack or shoulder strap, leather, nylon or other material, there are other things you need to consider.

If you go to a store to look for laptop computer bags, make sure you take your computer with you. Now this may seem obvious, but you would actually be gobsmacked at how many people go out and purchase a laptop bag on urge without even regarding the sizing or weight of the laptop or notebook.

The My Recent Documents folder on the Windows XP Start menu displays a list of files and documents that you most recently used. This article describes how to display, use, and clear the My Recent Documents folder.

To Display the My Recent Documents Folder

To display the My Recent Documents folder on the Start menu:

1. Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.
2. Click Customize.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Under Recent documents, click to select the List my most recently opened documents check box, click OK, and then click OK. The next time you click Start, the My Recent Documents command is displayed on the Start menu.

To Open a Recently Used Document

To open a document that you recently used, Click Start, point to My Recent Documents, and then click the item that want to open.

To Clear the Contents of the My Recent Documents Folder

To clear the My Recent Documents list, follow these steps:

1. Right-click Start, and then click Properties. Or, if the Start menu is already displayed, right-click an empty area of the Start menu, and then click Properties.
2. Click Customize.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Under Recent documents, click Clear List, click OK, and then click OK. Your most recently used documents are removed from the My Recent Documents folder. Note that this action does not delete the documents from your hard disk.

Troubleshooting

Some programs cannot add items to the My Recent Documents folder. In this case, the document that you recently used is not listed. If you want to open a document that is not in the My Recent Documents list, click Search on the Start menu to search for the item.

Every company wants work for money from its employee. And this is very complicate to make a balance between the work of their employees, mans they need to know that neither their employee work under a workload not they are under the workload, so there is a big problem to track or monitor the employees and their work performance Many survey shows that the average worker waste minimum two hours of time from his daily work period.

Employee monitoring is a very complicated but essential part the office environment. This is a complicated process because when your employer will be get notice that he is being monitored then probably this will not make a friendly or enthusiastic environment in your office. So this will be a good option that you monitor your employees and they will not be aware about this. There is a solution of this problem that you can use the employee monitoring software to analyze that weather you are waiting money on your employees or not or they are using their perfect efficiency for. The employee monitoring software is used to monitor the activities of your computer and by this way you can track the actual activities of your employees.