How to upgrade a computer

When you purchase a new computer, MAC or PC, everything works well until you start installing programs, and uploading and downloading files. After a while the computer begins to run slower than it first did. That is the first sign that you need an upgrade. You have to determine whether the memory or hard drive needs upgrading.   Check your computer manual for the specs to upgrade the computer. You can upgrade a computer by adding or changing memory, floppy drive, CD/DVD drive, video cards, PCI cards, CPU chip, or the motherboard.   Before you replace or add anything to the computer, make sure to turn it off first.

Upgrading computer memory

When you are ready to install the new memory, check your computer user's guide for the correct memory module. Turn the computer off, and remove the case. Depending upon the model, the motherboard will accommodate two or four inline memory modules. Push the latches on each side of the DIMM slot down. Align the memory module with the slot. The DIMM slots are keyed with notches and the DIMMs are keyed with cutouts so that they can only be installed correctly. Check that the cutouts on the DIMM module edge connector match the notches in the DIMM slot. Install the DIMM module into the slot and press it firmly down until it seats correctly. The slot latches are levered upwards and latch on to the edge of the DIMM.

Installing a second hard drive

Your motherboard has a primary and secondary IDE channel interface (IDE1 and IDE2). An IDE ribbon cable supporting two IDE devices id bundled with the motherboard. If you want to install more than two devices, get a second IDE cable and you can add two more devices to the secondary IDE channel. The first hard drive should always be connected to IDE1, and the second drive on this controller must be set to slave mode. IDE devices enclose jumpers or switches used to set the IDE device as MASTER or SLAVE.

PCI expansion card

You can expand the capabilities of your computer by installing cards in its expansion slots. Open your computer by removing the case. Remove the screw in the port access cover, pull out the access cover, and set it aside. Remove the card that you want to install from its static-proof bag and hold it by its connectors, taking care not to touch the gold connector or any of the components on the card. Align the card's connector with the expansion slot and press until the connector is inserted all the way into the slot. Press the card gently but firmly until the connector is fully is fully inserted. Reinsert the port access cover screw and tighten it to hold the card in place.

How can I speed up my computer

If your hard drive seems to take forever to go about its business, or if it's having trouble keeping up with your CD-R burning software, chances are it's time for a tune-up and defragmentation. For Windows, close any open applications. Click on start, Programs, Accessories, System tools, and select Disk defragmenter. Highlight the hard drive and click defragment. Mac OS, Apple doesn't supply a disk-defragmentation program with Mac OS. You will need to purchase a third-party utility program.