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When you buy a hard drive, you may be confused by the two words “external” and “portable”. These two types of hard drivers are to use for storage. But what do you need to buy？So before purchasing a hard drive, you have to know what the difference between them. Today’ article are to tell you all of these.

First we should know what an external and a portable hard drive is. The external hard drive is a data storage device, while a portable hard drive is a high-memory capacity data storage device. From the definitions, we can see that they are computer storage devices. They can add storage room of computer without going into the computer. And also they are connected to computers via USB cables. These are their common things.

However, there are several differences between them. I will tell you from five aspects. The first one is from the noise. In general, an external hard drive makes more noise than a portable hard drive. Because the disks in two types of hard drives are different. The second difference is from the function. The external hard disks are designed fro data storage, while the portable hard disks are designed for data carriage. And also a portable hard disk can transfer files from one computer to another one. An external hard disk just adds more room to a computer’s data storage. Size is the third difference. Portable hard disks are smaller than external hard disks. The fourth aspect is external drives are more expensive than portable hard drives because of the bigger space for data storage. The last one is the power. Usually, a portable hard drive consumes little power, so it can rely on the USB. However, an external hard drive need more power than portable one. Sometimes, if an external drive plug in to a computer without connecting with an AC adapter, the operating system will not recognize the drive.

After knowing the differences between them, you can purchase one which is suitable to your need.

Recently, many devices applied to computers are the USB ports. People are increasingly meeting the problem that Windows does not recognize it. Many people are annoyed by this problem. So today’s task is how to solve this problem.

The common solution to fixing the USB device not recognized error is to install the driver for the USB device. In general, a driver CD comes with the new USB devices. In the driver CD you can find the USB driver which you need to install it into your computer. If you do not have a driver CD, you can go to the manufacturer’s website to download the USB device driver. Whatever you have a USB driver CD, one program is very useful for you. The program is called “driver finder program”. Why do I say it is very useful for users? There are two reasons. The first one is such a program will find and download device drivers on your PC based on the hardware that it automatically identifies. The other reason is that it can update all outdated drivers on your system. You know nowadays the technology of making computer devices is renewing fast. Drivers on CDs are quite often outdated. So maybe the USB devices have been updated, while the drivers on CDs haven’t been renewed at the same time.

If the USB driver update does not solve the USB device not recognized error, there are a few other things that you can try to solve the error. First, please check whether the USB cable is in good condition or not. Sometimes, it is the cable that caused the problem. Then, make sure the BIOS of your computer works well.

If all these methods don’t help you out, please find other approaches. If you find new and useful methods, welcome to tell me.

Nowadays, computer virus is becoming here and there. In order to save the important files security, many people are looking for a good device to protect their significant things, such as company’s files, photos of herself or himself family and so on. In the market, there are so various drive types that people make little sense of how to choose a good hard drive.
SATA hard Drives (Serial ATA) are the most poplar drives in today’s market. However, you also can find Parallel ATA or SCSI hard drives in the store when buying. So before buying, you need to know the differences between them and then you can choose the best one for yourself. You should buy the one that your computer is compatible. But most new computers purchased accept SATA connections.
SATA hard drives have many advantages over the Parallel ATA driver. First one is SATA hard drives have faster and better performance than Parallel ATA drives and have better bandwidth applications. Second, the cables of SATA drives are smaller and cheaper than that of Parallel ATA cables. Third, SATA drives can be swappable, while Parallel ATA can’t. Fourth, SATA cables are easier to plug in without damaging the delicate connecting pins on the drive.
SATA hard drives also have many advantages over the SCSI. Although SCIS hard drives are the fastest hard drives and have been widely used in network servers, they have many disadvantages. For example, many various SCSI hard drives can be replaced by SATA and SCSI drivers are more expensive than SATA.
So if your computer can connect with SATA hard drive, you’d better choose it for its benefits.

Before talking about the differences of DVI and HDMI, we first have to know what DVI is and what HDMI is. DVI is the abbreviation of Digital Video Interface, while HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. It seems that they two have no any connection, but actually HDMI is derived from DVI. So first let us know something about DVI. Then we will have good understanding of HDMI.
The DVI is designed for conversion of analog by converting analog into a digital signal. There are three types of DVI. The first type is DVI-A which is used for analog signals like VGA. The second one is DVI-D which is employed for digital signals, and DVI-I is the third type which is a combination of DVI-A and DVI-D.
HDMI is a compact audio and video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It represents a digital alternative to consumer analog standards. HDMI connects an A /V receiver, digital television, and DVD player over just one cable. It has many functions that DVI doesn’t have.
In fact, HDMI and DVI have many similar functions because DVI is the predecessor of HDMI. For example, both of them can support the transmission of digital signals. Although they have many similar functions, there are several differences between them. The differences between DVI and HDMI are three. The first one is HDMI technology includes content security which is known as HDCP. Another one is DVI can only support digital video, while HDMI can support audio and video on the same cable. The last one is the number of cables are different when they are used and installed. DVI at least needs two cables: one for video and the other for audio signal. However HDMI just needs one cable to connect video and audio signals.


In the past several years, many people are annoyed extremely to buy a new home theater system. However, now they don’t need to be annoyed. There is a new product which can save their much money if they want to get a good home theater system. This product is called HDMI switcher.

First we need know what an HDMI switcher is before using it. HDMI switcher allows the user to select multiple entertainment devices in order to provide the best quality and resolution of the picture. The devices that can be hooked up to a HDMI switch are game stations, DVD players/ recorders, settop boxes, HDTV, and monitors.

Then you can choose an HDMI Switcher for yourself. The first thing you have to do is to calculate the number of HDMI switcher ports that you need. You should ensure that the Blu-ray player and the video game system in your home have the same ports that the HDMI switcher has you will buy. Usually, before buying an HDMI switcher, you need to consider whether you want to get these devices or not, such as Blu-rat player or a video game system. It’s a good idea to get an HDMI switcher with more than one port.

Next, Make sure that the HDMI switcher has a remote control and LEDs on the front of the switch to indicate which components is active. It is necessary to have a remote control, so you don’t have to get up to switch between inputs. And the LED is also a very important feature. You can use it to test which component is active.

Last but not least, when choosing an HDMI switcher, you have to pay much attention on its return policy. HDMI switchers usually have compatibility problems, so looking for a provider with an easy return policy is very important for you.

The  Mac Pro is a workstation computer manufactured by  Apple Inc. The machines are based on Xeon microprocessors, but are similar to the Power Mac G5 they replaced in terms of outward appearance and expansion capabilities. The Mac Pro is the fastest computer that Apple has to offer and one of three desktop computers in the current Macintosh lineup. Generally speaking, the Mac Pro has room for four internal 3.5″ SATA-300 hard drives. Then if we want to install SATA hard drive in our Mac Pro, we can start from this step by step as follows:

First, we should gather the necessities together. One or more SATA hard drives, a screwdriver and a clean work area will be included.

Second, discharge static electricity is the first action. In this point, you must pay attention to the followings:

◆    Shut down the Mac Pro before it is proceeding with running.

◆    Disconnect any cables that are connected to the Mac Pro, except the power cord.

◆     Discharge any static electricity that has built up on your body by touching the PCI expansion slot cover plates. You’ll find these metal plates on the back of the Mac Pro, next to the DVI video connectors for the display. Attention: It’s normal if you feel a slight static shock when you touch the metal cover plates. No need to be concerned for your security or the Mac Pro.

◆    Remove the power cord from the Mac Pro.

Third, remove the side access panel is the next step. You should open the case of your Mac Pro. Lift the access latch on the back of the Mac Pro. Tilt the access panel down. Sometimes the panel will stay in an upright position; you should grad the sides of the access panel and gently tilt it down. Once the access panel is open, put it on a towel or other soft surface, to prevent its metal finish from getting scratched.

Fourth, remove the hard drive sled should be attach importance of ensuring Mac Pro’s up position. Then we remove it as following tips:

◆    Ensure that the access latch on the back of the Mac Pro is in the up position

◆    Pick the hard drive sled you want to use. There are four sleds in the Mac Pro, with the number one sled near the front of Mac Pro, and the number four sled at the rear.

◆    Pull the hard drive sled out of the drive bay.

Fifth, attach the sled to the SATA hard drive is the step which needs your cautiousness and patience. Then we are starting:

◆    Remove the four screws attached to the hard drive sled and set them aside.

◆    Place the new hard drive on a flat surface.

◆    Put the hard drive sled on top of the new hard drive, aligning the sled’s screw holes with the threaded mounting points on the drive.

◆    Use the Phillips screwdriver to install and tighten the mounting screws you set aside earlier. Take care of it and don’t over-tighten the screws.

At last, slide the sled home should be attach the same importance of making sure the up position of the access latch on the Mac Pro.

◆Now that the new hard drive is attached to the sled, align the sled with the drive bay opening and gently push the sled into place, so that it’s flush with the other sleds.

◆To reinstall the access panel, put the bottom of the panel into the Mac Pro, so that the set of tabs on the bottom of the panel catch the lip at the bottom of the Mac Pro. Once everything is aligned, tilt the panel up and into position.

◆Close the access latch on the back of the Mac Pro. This will lock the hard drive sled in place, as well as lock the access panel.

 Hey! Now look it! As for the guys who are crazy with playing games or super game players, it is a certainty for them to choose a fabulous joystick or controller. Then in the process of choosing it, you may find that joystick isn’t as simple as two buttons and directions pad any more. Generally speaking, a newer joystick comes with turbo and booster, trigger and tab and in all kinds of cool colors and designs. Choosing instructions as following steps:

     First, check your video game system and determine whether you need a joystick for a video game console, such as a Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast or PlayStation.

     Second, take a look at your collection of games. Are you looking for a joystick to trim your lap times in racing games? Or are you looking for a more comfortable controller for long role-playing adventures?

     Third, make a list of the technical specifications in the system you are buying for. For computers, make sure to write down how much memory your hard drive has, how fast your system is and what operating system you use. Other technical specifications include monitor size and quality, type of sound card, and other drives your computer supports, such as CD-ROM.

     Fourth, check what game port your system contains. A standard PC game port is what most computers have and is what most joysticks require.

      Fifth, read the description and instruction of the joysticks carefully. Most descriptions focus on the joystick’s compatibility with a certain type of game, such as sports or flight simulators.

      Sixth, take a look at the reviews of any joystick before you make a decision. Certain magazines and Internet sites devote all their time to reviewing video game merchandise – value their opinions.

      Seventh, Match the joystick’s minimum or recommended system requirements to that of your system.

          The last but not the least, Note the special features of the joystick, and purchase the best one for you.

At present, many people use an Xbox 360 wireless adapter. However, it is very expensive for most people to use. In today’s article, I will introduce how to set up ICS (Internet Connection Sharing) with your Xbox 360 without the Xbox 360 wireless adapter.
First step is to check whether your laptop has a wireless adapter or not. Actually, in this modern time, every laptop has a built-in wireless adapter. If your PC doesn’t have the wireless adapter, it is also not a problem because you can buy a wireless adapter in many places.
Then you have to find an Ethernet cable. In general, you don’t need a special cable because the Xbox 360 is compatible with many cables. If you find the Ethernet cable, you just need plug one end to your Xbox 360 and the other one to your computer. If you have done this already, you will see a green light on the PC connector and an orange flashing light. If not, there maybe something wrong with the connection. You have to check where is wrong. There is one thing you should pay attention. Make sure you have linked the network connections folder on your PC and bridge together.
The third step is to set up your PC. Right click the wireless connection of your PC and go to properties. Then click the advanced tab and go to the “Internet Connection Sharing”. Pleas check the top box of your PC and uncheck the bottom box. If all are already, please click the ok.
The next step is to set up your Xbox. You should go to the Settings blade and the Network Settings. When all the settings have been done, please test the settings. If you set up correctly, everything will go well. If not, you need to check step by step until it works.
If all the above steps done right, you can connect with Xbox Live.

An N router is a standard developed by the IEEE. The “N” comes from the standard 802.11n, which defines the communication between all Wi-Fi equipment. Wireless N devices can transmit data between 50 Mbps and 144Mbps. The speed is two to four times faster than that of G standard permutation. A G router is also a standard developed by the IEEE. The “G” comes from the standard 802.11g. It works on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency. However, it employs an OFDM transmission scheme and it has a maximum bit rate of 54 Mbit/s. It is just fully backwards compatible with 802.11b standard.

However, the N standard works not only on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency but also 5 GHz radio frequency. This enables that the interference between N devices in areas that are highly populated is kept at a reasonable minimum. And also this enables users to switch between the two radio frequencies because sometimes there is an appearance of an oversaturation of computers. If using the N standard, people can choose either one to surf the Internet. Another advantage of N standard is that it also includes a wider transmission range on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency, which allows users to switch the lower frequency if they need more distance between the N router and the Wi-Fi adapter.

The G standard was adopted for its higher data rates. It became standard for mobile adapter card to be dual compatible between B and G standards. However, this was found to reduce the data of the overall G network. The N standard has much wider wireless range than the G standard. Because the N standard can operate in both radio frequencies, the N standard has a wireless range of more than double the G standard.

From all the above, a conclusion can be made that the N standard is much better than G standard in many aspects.

Recently, hard disks in computers have become quite large and quite fast. Hard disk plays an important role in the overall computer performance. Its speed has great effect on the overall computer performance with computer memory. In some computer systems you can optimize the IDE controller to make sure direct memory access allows the controller to maximize the throughput speed, while there are also some settings at disk level which can help improve the hard disk. In today’s article, it mainly talks about how to maximize hard disk performance in Vista system.

First, you need to open up the “Device Manager” from the “Control Panel” in order to allow the disk options that will maximize disk performance in Vista. In the “Device Manager”, you have to open up the “Disk Drivers” category, and click the hard disk. In the popup menu, please select “Properties.” Then, the hard disk properties will appear. In the hard disk properties window, you need to select the “Policies” tab. After that, you will see “Enable write caching on the disk” and “Enable advanced performance” and make sure that the two options are selected. If they are already selected, it is proved that the disk performance is maximized. But if not, you must select the checkboxes and click “Ok.” You will take risks when you don’t have reliable power. So if you have regular power outrages, these options should not be used.

These steps are fit for Windows XP and Windows 7, but the available options can change relying on your disk. Sometimes, the option – Enable advanced performance is not available. What’s worst, maybe both options are not available. You also have to do a disk cleanup and defrag periodically even with these settings so as to keep your hard disks operating at maximum performance.