Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Connect With PCI Drivers (By Nanette Aniston)

PCI Drivers are what is called a computer bus. These drivers connect peripheral devices to the computer. Simply put, it is the pathway between your devices and computer. PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect.

There are several different types, with each one allowing you to change parts. Meaning, if upgrading your sound card is something you are tentative about, don't be. All you need to do is unplug the old one and plug in the new, because of interchangeable parts, it is very simple.

Before this type of driver was manufactured, there was another computer bus called ISA. ISA served its purpose but, with rising computer technology, it soon became outdated not being able to compete with fast processors. That is when PCI was created in 1993 by Intel, but it wasn't until the mid 1990's that it became standard. Apple Computers took these drivers and installed them into their professional Power Macintosh Computers.
As with all computer devices, several versions and improvements were manufactured. PCI 1.0 was the first , containing component-level specification only. The 2.0 set the standards for motherboard slots and connectors. Some of the more recent improvements are, signaling, 66 MHZ 3.3 V standards and 133 MHZ PCI-X.

These types of drivers became widely used when Plug-n-Play device were released. Being that both devices were manufactured by Intel, the two devices worked very well with each other. This made game use simple and quick. All the user needed to do is slide the new devices in the proper slot and Windows would begin the game.
Intel's latest version PCI Express is expected to replace all other versions and set the new standards. However, they have made it so that the new driver will still be compatible with the old.

Nanette Aniston is an authority in PC troubleshooting at http://www.pc-error-repair.orgFor a free checkup visit http://www.regcure.tv and experience your PC at it's full potential.

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Safety Precautions While Installing New Hard Drives (By Dan Kornak

Installing a new hard drive can be a pretty easy thing to do but many people shy away from this task because they are not comfortable being up close to the electronic boards inside a computer case. There are many things that can go wrong if you are not careful so it is recommended that you have a computer professional do this for you if there is any doubt. If this is not an option for you and you want to give it a try, there are a few basic rules you should follow to protect yourself and the computer you are working on. There is always a chance of shock so make sure you are very careful when attempting any work on computers.

It is recommended that you buy a grounding wrist bracelet when working on sensitive equipment like a computer. This bracelet is placed on your wrist and has a wire attached to it that is clipped onto any grounded surface.
Make sure the computer is unplugged before you start working on the inside.

You should never have any liquids like water or coffee around the work space because they will destroy your motherboard in a matter of seconds.

When unscrewing the old hard drive from the case, be very careful that the screwdriver does not come in contact with anything but the screws you are loosening.
Make sure when unplugging the data and power cable from the back of the hard drive, you do not pull so hard as to damage the cable or pins.

Set the screws aside and DO NOT loose them. Take the new hard drive out of the antistatic bag and be careful screwing it to the case. Gently place the cables that you took from the old hard drive and plug them into the new one. If the old hard drive is still good, place it into the anti-static bag that the new hard drive came in. This will prevent data loss.
Remember, be careful and have fun!

Dan Kornak has been providing
NJ computer repair, technical support, wireless network setup, Macintosh laptop support in New Jersey for over 10 years.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Kornak