Computer & Application buying tip

Purchasing a software application or program can be a big consideration, especially when purchasing advanced and usually expensive programs such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. When considering purchasing these programs it is important that you or your staff be familiar with the program and are sure it's going to be capable of what you need it to do.
On this page we've listed different considerations to think about before buying a computer software application
 Competition
Before buying any application make sure there is not a competing program that may be cheaper or even free. If available and something that's capable of doing what you want it to do this could save you hundreds of dollars.
A good example of such a program is OpenOffice and Corel WordPerfect that would be a competitor to Microsoft Word. Both programs are an excellent choice for a word processor but can be a considerable price difference. In the case of OpenOffice, it's 100% free.
Documentation
Make sure proper documentation is included. Many programs today will include on-line documentation that is more than sufficient. However, it is also useful to obtain a manual or user guide for the software program or application.
Licenses
If you are a company who plans on having software programs used by its employees (more than one person), you will need to consider licensing options. It is required that for each computer a product is installed onto that it have a software license. If a company purchases the program and shares it with all its employees without the proper licensing, this would be illegal and can cause your company to face a criminal lawsuit.
Price
Look at your overall price and shop around. Because a software price can change often, you can sometimes save hundreds of dollars on expensive software. If possible, do not purchase directly through the company; many times, the company's price doubles a retailers price.
Be cautious of OEM software. Many resellers will sell a program as OEM, which requires you buy a computer or motherboard. OEM software is software that is included with large manufacturers' computers and only includes either just a CD or a slim manual and CD. This is not what you would find at a retail store. This option is not a bad option, it is only important that you are aware of what you are getting.
Package
Look at the overall software package. How many CDs or diskettes are included, what inserts and documentation is included, and is there any bonus or extra software included?
Media
Today, the majority of software is included on CDs and DVDs. When looking at a program, make sure you have an acceptable drive that's able to read the media, While not common today, an example of why this is important is it's better to receive one CD instead of 32 floppy diskettes.



Computer battery buying tips
Main batteries
CMOS batteries
Bridge batteries
Main batteries
 The main battery is the battery used to power laptop computers. When looking to purchase a new main battery from a third-party make sure you're getting the correct battery. Verify the below specifications either from the bottom of the battery or from the computer manufacturer.
Type - Get the right battery: Nicad, NiMH, or Li-ion.
Manufacturer - Some portables may use a certain manufacturer of battery. Verify if a third-party manufacturer's battery was used. Also, make sure the battery is not proprietary and that it is possible to purchase from a third-party.
Voltage - Verify the Voltage of battery, this amount can vary depending on the battery.
mAH - Verify the mAH of the battery, this amount can vary depending on the battery.
Warranty
Before purchasing the battery, see if the battery comes with any warranty and how long the warranty may be. This will make things easier if it's defective that it is possible to return the battery for a new battery or for a refund.
Prices
Prices can vary depending on quantity of batteries, size, and the age of laptop. Below is a list of the most popular batteries and their price range in the U.S. Dollar.
1 NICAD Battery: $80.00 to $150.00
1 NiMH Battery: $100.00 to $160.00
1 Li-Ion Battery: $100.00 to $180.00
Where to buy
Your laptop computer manufacturer is the best first place to get a price quote on a replacement battery. After doing this check any of the links below to get a price quote comparison and find the cheapest solution.
Ebatts.com
Batteries Plus
BatteriesInAFlash
Laptop batteries planet
Charge the battery properly
Once you have received the battery if it includes documentation for how to charge it for the first time make sure to follow those instructions exactly. Otherwise it's recommended that you charge the battery for at least 24-hours before use.
Recycle
See the battery recycling section for further information about properly recycling your old defective battery.
CMOS batteries
 The CMOS battery is used to store system information such as the time and date and should be replaced when receiving error "System battery dead", the computer does not keep the time or date, or if you are losing a dramatic amount of time over a period of time.
Before replacing the CMOS battery you need to know what battery the computer is using. This can be done either by opening the computer and locating the battery or through the motherboard or computer documentation. We suggest visiting a local Radio Shack if you've got the battery but can't identify it or to purchase a new battery.
How to replace the CMOS battery.
Prices
Prices can vary depending on quantity of batteries, size, and the age of laptop. Below is a list of the most popular batteries and their price range in the U.S. Dollar.
CMOS coin battery: $1.00 to $10.00
CMOS RTC battery: $2.00 to $20.00
Bridge batteries
The bridge battery is a small battery that holds a charge for a sufficient amount of time while swapping between main batteries. If you believe that this battery is defective or bad, it is recommended that you contact your laptop manufacturer for a replacement part.





APM
Short for advanced power management, APM is an Application Program Interface, or API, developed by Microsoft and Intel that allows computer and BIOS manufacturers to include Power Management into their BIOS.



PS
 1. Short for Power Supply and sometimes abbreviated as PSU, which is short for Power Supply Unit. The PS is an internal hardware component used to supply the components in a computer with power by converting potentially lethal 110-115 or 220-230 volt alternating current (AC) into a steady low-voltage direct current (DC) usable by the computer. A power supply is rated by the number of watts it generates. For example, the image to the right, is of an Antec True 330, a 330 Watt power supply and an example of what a computer power supply looks like.
Caution: Do not open the power supply, it contains capacitors that are capable of holding hold electricity even if the computer is off and unplugged for a week, if not longer.
On the back end of the power supply as shown in the above picture is where you connect the power cord to the computer. In addition to the power cord connection the back also has an fan opening to draw air out of the power supply, a small red switch to change the power supply voltage, and the rocker switch to turn the power supply on and off.
On the front-end, which is not visible unless the computer is opened is several dozen other cables that connect the power supply to each of the devices and the computer motherboard. With many PC computers today the power supply connects to the motherboard using an ATX style connector, other connectors include: Auxiliary connector, Berg connector, Molex connector, and P4 connector.




Windows 98 Power Saving/Standby mode does not work CH000153
Verify Power Management is enabled
Click Start, Settings, Control panel, and double-click the Power Management Icon. Verify that the Power schemes is Always on and specify the time that you want power Management for the monitor and hard drive to activate.
Remove all third-party applications running in the background
 Remove all software running in the background. Once third-party programs are removed from the background, verify if the Power Saving and Standby feature still exists. If the issue has been resolved it's a good possibility that a program that was running in the background such as a virus protection utility is causing the computer from going into Power Saving and Standby mode.
Screen Savers
Disable all screen savers; screen savers such as 3D Flower Box, 3D Flying Objects, 3D Maze and 3D Text can cause the computer from going into Power Saving and standby mode.
Power Management enabled or disabled in CMOS
Computers have the capability of having the computer hardware (BIOS) control power management and Windows control power management. Check your computer CMOS Setup to verify if Power Management is enabled within CMOS. If enabled and the computer is not going into Power Saving and Standby mode, disable Power Management in CMOS and follow the steps below for reinstalling the APM drivers in Windows.
Corrupt APM (Advanced Power Management) drivers
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, double-click the Systems icon, click the Device Manager tab, click the + next to System. If the first device is not Advanced Power Management support, skip to the next paragraph. If Advanced Power Management support is present, highlight, and then click the Remove button to remove it from Device Manager. Once removed, reboot the computer and let it reinstall and try power management again.
If Advanced Power Management was not listed in Device Manager or once removed was not reinstalled after rebooting the computer, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, double-click on Add new hardware, and let Windows detect and install new hardware (should detect and install Advanced Power Management support). If Windows does not detect Advanced Power Management support, verify in CMOS that Power Management is Enabled.
Hardware components preventing Power Saving or Standby from working
Some hardware devices such as USB devices can cause the computer to not go into Power Saving and Standby mode. If you have recently installed new hardware, it is recommended that you temporarily remove it to verify it is not causing the issue of going into Power Saving or Standby mode.



Missing standby option in Windows 98 shut down dialog box CH000158
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, double-click the Systems icon, and click the Device Manager tab.
Click the + next to System Devices and verify that Advanced Power Management Support is present. If this entry is present, highlight it and click remove and reboot the computer. If this entry is not present, follow the steps below:
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, double-click the Add New hardware icon.
Follow the steps allowing Windows to install new hardware.
If the above steps have been completed successfully, verify if this resolved your issue.
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel, double-click the System icon and click the Device Manager tab.
Click the + on Floppy disk controllers and highlight the Standard Floppy Disk Controller listed beneath it. Once highlighted, click the Remove button and restart the computer to reinstall the Floppy Disk Controller.
Once steps four and five have been completed successfully, verify if this resolved your issue.
Enter CMOS Setup and verify if your Power Management is Enabled. If Disabled set the option to Enabled.
Receive blinking cursor when resuming from standby mode CH000159
This issue can be caused when you use the keyboard to go into standby mode or an Command window was open when it entered standy mode.
To resolve this issue press ALT + TAB to resume from standby mode.

How to determine the APM version CH000289
To determine the version of APM in Windows click Start, Settings, Control Panel, double-click the icon System and click the Device Manager tab. Within Device Manager click the + next to system and double-click Advanced Power Management.
If you are running Windows 95 and do not have Advanced Power Management you must install Power Management support on your computer.
If you are running Windows 98 you may need to double-click on Intel xxxxx Power Management Controller.
Once in Advanced Power Management click the Settings tab and there should be an APM version listed.


Disabling power management, standby, or sleep in Windows CH000338
Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users
Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP users
Through CMOS setup
Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 users
Tip: Laptop users can also click the power icon in their notification area to get to the power settings.
Open the Control Panel.
Click Hardware and Sound.
Click Power options or Change power-saving settings.
Click the Change Plan link under any of the plans to get the Edit Plan Settings window as shown below. If you want for the computer to not go into Standby or turn off the screen select Never.

The window that opens (shown above) allows you to change settings for turning off the display and whether or not to put the computer to sleep. You can also change additional advanced settings by clicking on the "Change advanced power settings" link. When you have completed the power settings changes, click the Save changes button before closing the window.
Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP users
Click Start, Settings, and open the Control Panel.
Double-click the Power, Power Management, or Power Options icon depending on your version of Windows.
In the Power Schemes tab click the down arrow by System standby and select Never. If you're running an earlier version of Windows disable the option to turn off hard drive and monitor by clicking the down arrow and selecting Never.

Through CMOS setup
In addition to the above steps earlier computers or computers running variants of Linux or other operating systems may also want to disable their power settings through CMOS setup. In CMOS setup you should have a power category; this category allows power management to be disabled.




CMOS
 Alternatively referred to as a Real-Time Clock (RTC), Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM) or CMOS RAM, CMOS is short for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. CMOS is an on-board semiconductor chip powered by a CMOS battery inside computers that stores information such as the system time and date and the system hardware settings for your computer. The picture shows an example of the most common CMOS coin cell battery used in a computer to power the CMOS memory.
A Motorola 146818 chip was the first RTC and CMOS RAM chip to be used in early IBM computers. The chip was capable of storing a total of 64 bytes of data. Since the system clock used 14 bytes of RAM, this left an additional 50 bytes of space that was available for IBM to store system settings. Today, most computers have moved the settings from a separate chip and incorporated them into the southbridge or Super I/O chips.
How long does the CMOS battery last?
The standard lifetime of a CMOS battery is around 10 Years. However, this can vary depending on the use and environment that the computer resides. When the battery fails the system settings and the date and time will not be saved when the computer is turned off until the battery has been replaced.
How to replace the CMOS battery.
Apple computer users
A CMOS is similar to the Apple Macintosh computer's PRAM

Computer POST and beep codes
The computer power-on self-test (POST) tests the computer to make sure it meets the necessary system requirements and that all hardware is working properly before starting the remainder of the boot process. If the computer passes the POST the computer gives a single beep (with some computer BIOS manufacturers it may beep twice) as the computer starts and the computer will continue to start normally. However, if the computer fails the POST, the computer will either not beep at all or will generate a beep code, which tells the user the source of the problem.
If you're receiving an irregular POST or a beep code not mentioned below follow the POST troubleshooting steps to determine the failing hardware component.
AMI BIOS beep codes
Award BIOS beep codes
IBM BIOS beep codes
Macintosh startup tones
Phoenix BIOS beep codes
Motherboard help
AMI BIOS beep codes
Below are the AMI BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep Code Descriptions  
1 short DRAM refresh failure  
2 short Parity circuit failure  
3 short Base 64K RAM failure  
4 short System timer failure  
5 short Process failure  
6 short Keyboard controller Gate A20 error  
7 short Virtual mode exception error  
8 short Display memory Read/Write test failure  
9 short ROM BIOS checksum failure  
10 short CMOS shutdown Read/Write error  
11 short Cache Memory error  
1 long, 3 short Conventional/Extended memory failure  
1 long, 8 short Display/Retrace test failed
AWARD BIOS beep codes
Below are Award BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep Code Description  
1 long, 2 short Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information  
Any other beep(s) RAM problem.
If any other correctable hardware issues is found the BIOS displays a message.
IBM BIOS beep codes
Below are general IBM BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep Code Description  
No Beeps No Power, Loose Card, or Short.  
1 Short Beep Normal POST, computer is ok.  
2 Short Beep POST error, review screen for error code.  
Continuous Beep No Power, Loose Card, or Short.  
Repeating Short Beep No Power, Loose Card, or Short.  
One Long and one Short Beep Motherboard issue.  
One Long and Two Short Beeps Video (Mono/CGA Display Circuitry) issue.  
One Long and Three Short Beeps. Video (EGA) Display Circuitry.  
Three Long Beeps Keyboard or Keyboard card error.  
One Beep, Blank or Incorrect Display Video Display Circuitry.
Macintosh startup tones

Tones Error  
Error Tone. (two sets of different tones) Problem with logic board or SCSI bus.  
Startup tone, drive spins, no video Problem with video controller.  
Powers on, no tone. Logic board problem.  
High Tone, four higher tones. Problem with SIMM.
Phoenix BIOS beep codes
Below are the beep codes for Phoenix BIOS Q3.07 OR 4.X

Beep Code Description and what to check  
1-1-1-3 Verify Real Mode.  
1-1-2-1 Get CPU Type.  
1-1-2-3 Initialize system hardware.  
1-1-3-1 Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values.  
1-1-3-2 Set in POST flag.  
1-1-3-3 Initialize CPU registers.  
1-1-4-1 Initialize cache to initial POST values.  
1-1-4-3 Initialize I/O.  
1-2-1-1 Initialize Power Management.  
1-2-1-2 Load alternate registers with initial POST values.  
1-2-1-3 Jump to UserPatch0.  
1-2-2-1 Initialize keyboard controller.  
1-2-2-3 BIOS ROM checksum.  
1-2-3-1 8254 timer initialization.  
1-2-3-3 8237 DMA controller initialization.  
1-2-4-1 Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller.  
1-3-1-1 Test DRAM refresh.  
1-3-1-3 Test 8742 Keyboard Controller.  
1-3-2-1 Set ES segment to register to 4 GB.  
1-3-3-1 28 Autosize DRAM.  
1-3-3-3 Clear 512K base RAM.  
1-3-4-1 Test 512 base address lines.  
1-3-4-3 Test 512K base memory.  
1-4-1-3 Test CPU bus-clock frequency.  
1-4-2-4 Reinitialize the chipset.  
1-4-3-1 Shadow system BIOS ROM.  
1-4-3-2 Reinitialize the cache.  
1-4-3-3 Autosize cache.  
1-4-4-1 Configure advanced chipset registers.  
1-4-4-2 Load alternate registers with CMOS values.  
2-1-1-1 Set Initial CPU speed.  
2-1-1-3 Initialize interrupt vectors.  
2-1-2-1 Initialize BIOS interrupts.  
2-1-2-3 Check ROM copyright notice.  
2-1-2-4 Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs.  
2-1-3-1 Check video configuration against CMOS.  
2-1-3-2 Initialize PCI bus and devices.  
2-1-3-3 Initialize all video adapters in system.  
2-1-4-1 Shadow video BIOS ROM.  
2-1-4-3 Display copyright notice.  
2-2-1-1 Display CPU Type and speed.  
2-2-1-3 Test keyboard.  
2-2-2-1 Set key click if enabled.  
2-2-2-3 56 Enable keyboard.  
2-2-3-1 Test for unexpected interrupts.  
2-2-3-3 Display prompt Press F2 to enter SETUP.  
2-2-4-1 Test RAM between 512 and 640k.  
2-3-1-1 Test expanded memory.  
2-3-1-3 Test extended memory address lines.  
2-3-2-1 Jump to UserPatch1.  
2-3-2-3 Configure advanced cache registers.  
2-3-3-1 Enable external and CPU caches.  
2-3-3-3 Display external cache size.  
2-3-4-1 Display shadow message.  
2-3-4-3 Display non-disposable segments.  
2-4-1-1 Display error messages.  
2-4-1-3 Check for configuration errors.  
2-4-2-1 Test real-time clock.  
2-4-2-3 Check for keyboard errors  
2-4-4-1 Set up hardware interrupts vectors.  
2-4-4-3 Test coprocessor if present.  
3-1-1-1 Disable onboard I/O ports.  
3-1-1-3 Detect and install external RS232 ports.  
3-1-2-1 Detect and install external parallel ports.  
3-1-2-3 Re-initialize onboard I/O ports.  
3-1-3-1 Initialize BIOS Data Area.  
3-1-3-3 Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area.  
3-1-4-1 Initialize floppy controller.  
3-2-1-1 Initialize hard disk controller.  
3-2-1-2 Initialize local bus hard disk controller.  
3-2-1-3 Jump to UserPatch2.  
3-2-2-1 Disable A20 address line.  
3-2-2-3 Clear huge ES segment register.  
3-2-3-1 Search for option ROMs.  
3-2-3-3 Shadow option ROMs.  
3-2-4-1 Set up Power Management.  
3-2-4-3 Enable hardware interrupts.  
3-3-1-1 Set time of day.  
3-3-1-3 Check key lock.  
3-3-3-1 Erase F2 prompt.  
3-3-3-3 Scan for F2 key stroke.  
3-3-4-1 Enter SETUP.  
3-3-4-3 Clear in POST flag.  
3-4-1-1 Check for errors  
3-4-1-3 POST done - prepare to boot operating system.  
3-4-2-1 One beep.  
3-4-2-3 Check password (optional).  
3-4-3-1 Clear global descriptor table.  
3-4-4-1 Clear parity checkers.  
3-4-4-3 Clear screen (optional).  
3-4-4-4 Check virus and backup reminders.  
4-1-1-1 Try to boot with INT 19.  
4-2-1-1 Interrupt handler error.  
4-2-1-3 Unknown interrupt error.  
4-2-2-1 Pending interrupt error.  
4-2-2-3 Initialize option ROM error.  
4-2-3-1 Shutdown error.  
4-2-3-3 Extended Block Move.  
4-2-4-1 Shutdown 10 error.  
4-3-1-3 Initialize the chipset.  
4-3-1-4 Initialize refresh counter.  
4-3-2-1 Check for Forced Flash.  
4-3-2-2 Check HW status of ROM.  
4-3-2-3 BIOS ROM is OK.  
4-3-2-4 Do a complete RAM test.  
4-3-3-1 Do OEM initialization.  
4-3-3-2 Initialize interrupt controller.  
4-3-3-3 Read in bootstrap code.  
4-3-3-4 Initialize all vectors.  
4-3-4-1 Boot the Flash program.  
4-3-4-2 Initialize the boot device.  
4-3-4-3 Boot code was read OK.


How to replace the CMOS battery
If your computer is losing its time or date settings, or you are receiving a message CMOS Read Error, CMOS checksum error, or CMOS Battery Failure, first try leaving the computer on for 24-hours. In some cases this can charge the battery and resolve your issue. This often resolves CMOS battery related issues when a computer has been left off for several months. If this does not resolve your issue follow the steps below.
Locate your CMOS battery
Caution: When inside your computer make sure you're aware of ESD and all it's potential dangers.
 Open the computer case and find the battery on the computer motherboard, verify that it will be accessible and that it can be removed. Most computers today use a coin cell CMOS battery, as shown in the image to the right.
Tip: Some CMOS batteries may be held down by a metal clip or bar. This clip just holds the battery in place and the battery can still be removed by sliding it under the clip. Do not bend this clip to get the battery out.
If you are unable to locate your CMOS battery refer to your motherboard or computer documentation or contact your computer manufacturer for additional assistance in locating it.
Obtain battery information
Unfortunately, most manufacturers will not list the exact type and model of your CMOS battery; therefore, once you have located the battery, write down all information about the battery (Voltage, chemistry, wiring, and packaging). If possible, remove the battery and take it to the location you plan on purchasing a new battery from. The part number for this battery for most computers is CR2032.
Additional buying information can be found on our battery buying tips page.
Removing the battery
Caution: When inside your computer make sure you're aware of ESD and all it's potential dangers.
If you're computer is using a coin cell battery similar to the above example picture. Removing the battery is relatively simple. use your fingers to grab on the edge of the battery and pull it up and out of the container holding it. Some motherboards have a clip holding the battery down. If your computer has this clip you may need to use one had to move the clip up and the other hand to pull the battery out.
Unfortunately, not all CMOS batteries are removable; some manufactures only allow a replacement battery to be added. If you're not using a coin cell battery and are not able to determine how to remove it refer to your motherboard or computer documentation or contact your computer manufacturer for additional assistance in removing the battery or how to insert a new replacement battery.
Users with computers that do not have removable batteries only options to install a new battery will most likely also need to set a jumper when adding the new battery into their computer.
Insert the new battery
Once you have purchased a new battery, remove the old battery (as instructed above) and replace it with the new battery.
Enter CMOS values
Once the battery is replaced turn on the computer and resetting the CMOS values to the defaults. After the values have all been entered make sure to save the settings before exiting. Many CMOS setups allow you to press a key (such as F10) to save values and exit all in one action.
Bad hardware
If after following all the above steps you continue to experience the same error when your computer starts or your computer is still unable to keep the stored values it's likely that you're experiencing a more serious issues. Most likely causes are bad power supply or bad motherboard.


BIOS
1. Short for Basic Input/Output System, the BIOS, ROM BIOS, or System BIOS is a chip located on all motherboards that contain instructions and setup for how your system should boot and how it operates. In the picture below, is an example of what a BIOS chip may look like on your computer motherboard. In this example, this is a picture of an early AMIBIOS, a type of BIOS manufactured by the AMI. Another good example of a BIOS manufacturer is Phoenix.

The BIOS includes instructions on how to load basic computer hardware and includes a test referred to as a POST (Power On Self Test) that helps verify the computer meets requirements to boot up properly. If the computer does not pass the POST, you will receive a combination of beeps indicating what is malfunctioning within the computer.
The four main functions of a PC BIOS
POST - Test the computer hardware and make sure no errors exist before loading the operating system. Additional information on the POST can be found on our POST and Beep Codes page.
Bootstrap Loader - Locate the operating system. If a capable operating system is located, the BIOS will pass control to it.
BIOS drivers - Low level drivers that give the computer basic operational control over your computer's hardware.
BIOS or CMOS Setup - Configuration program that allows you to configure hardware settings including system settings such as computer passwords, time, and date.
Related pages
How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup.
Additional information and help with BIOS updates.
How to clear an unknown BIOS or CMOS password.
What is the difference between BIOS and CMOS?
Listing of computer BIOS manufacturers.
Computer BIOS help and support.
2. When referring to a person BIO's is short for biography and is a term used to describe a brief description of a person. A short biography or description of people who have affected the computer industry can be found on our Computer People Section.



Motherboard
Alternatively referred to as the mb, mainboard, mobo, mobd, backplane board, base board, main circuit board, planar board, system board, or a logic board on Apple computers. The motherboard is a printed circuit board that is the foundation of a computer and allows the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components to function and communicate with each other.
Below is a graphic illustration of the ASUS P5AD2-E motherboard and some basic explanations of each of the major portions of the motherboard. Clicking on the image below gives you a larger more detailed version of the picture below.

Motherboard components
Below is a listing of links that describe each of the above mentioned motherboard components in additional detail. Links are listed in clockwise order going from the top-left corner of the image. Components not listed above or found on other motherboards are listed in the next section.
Expansion slots (PCI Express, PCI, and AGP)
3-pin case fan connectors
Back pane connectors
Heatsink
4-Pin (P4) power connector
Inductor
Capacitor
CPU Socket
Northbridge
Screw hole
Memory slot
Super I/O
Floppy connection
ATA (IDE) disk drive primary connection
24-pin ATX power Supply connector
Serial ATA connections
Coin cell battery (CMOS backup battery)
RAID
System panel connectors
FWH
Southbridge
Serial port connector
USB headers
Jumpers
Integrated circuit
1394 headers
SPDIF
CD-IN
Other motherboard components
Below is a listing of other motherboard components that are not shown in the above picture or have been part of older computer motherboards.
BIOS
Bus
Cache memory
Chipset
Diode
Dip switches
Electrolytic
Fuse
Game port and MIDI header
Internal speaker
Keyboard controller
LCC
Network header
Obsolete expansion slots (AMR, CNR, EISA, ISA, VESA)
Obsolete memory slots (SIMM)
Onboard LED
Parallel port header
PS/2 header
Resistor
RTC
Serial port header
Screw hole aka mounting hole
SCSI
Solenoid
Voltage regulator
Voltage regulator module (VRM)
Motherboard form factors
As computers advanced, so have motherboards. Below is a listing of the various motherboard form factors and additional information about each of these form factors including ATX the most commonly used motherboard form factor today.
AT
ATX
Baby AT
BTX
DTX
LPX
Full AT
Full ATX
microATX
NLX
Since there is a motherboard, is there a fatherboard?
No, there is no such thing as a fatherboard when talking about a computer. However, there is such a thing as a daughterboard.
Bus
When referring to a computer, the bus also known as the address bus, data bus, or local bus is a data connection between two or more devices connected to the computer. For example, a bus enables a computer processor to communicate with the memory or a video card to communicate with the memory.

The bus contains multiple wires (signal lines) that contain addressing information that describes the memory location of where the data is being sent or where it is being retrieved. Each wire in the bus carries a single bit of information, which means the more wires a bus has the more information it can address. For example, a computer with a 32-bit address bus can address 4GB of memory, and a computer with a 36-bit bus can address 64GB of memory.
A bus is capable of being a parallel or serial bus and today all computers utilize two bus types, an internal bus or local bus and an external bus, also called the expansion bus. An internal bus enables a communication between internal components such as a computer video card and memory and an external bus is capable of communicating with external components such as a USB or SCSI device.
A computer or device's bus speed is listed as a MHz, e.g. 100MHz FSB. The throughput of a bus is measured in bits per second or megabytes per second.
Examples of computer buses

A-F G-N O-P P-Z  
AGP
ATA
EISA
eSATA
ExpressCard
Firewire
FSB HyperTransport
IDE
ISA
MCA
NuBus PATA
PC Card
PCI
PCIe
PCMCIA SATA
SBus
SCSI
USB
VLB
VME Bus




AGP
Short for Accelerated Graphics Port, AGP is an advanced port designed for Video cards and 3D accelerators. Designed by Intel and introduced in August of 1997, AGP introduces a dedicated point-to-point channel that allows the graphics controller direct access the system memory. Below is an illustration of what the AGP slot may look like on your motherboard.

The AGP channel is 32-bits wide and runs at 66 MHz. This translates into a total bandwidth of 266 MBps, which is much greater than the PCI bandwidth of up to 133 MBps. AGP also supports two optional faster modes, with throughput of 533 MBps and 1.07 GBps. It also allows 3-D textures to be stored in main memory rather than video memory.
Each computer with AGP support will either have one AGP slot or on-board AGP video. If you needed more than one video card in the computer, you can have one AGP video card and one PCI video card or use a motherboard that supports SLI.
AGP is available in three different versions, the original AGP version mentioned above, AGP 2.0 that was introduced in May of 1998, and AGP 3.0 (AGP 8x) that was introduced in November of 2000. AGP 2.0 added 4x signaling and was capable of operating at 1.5V and AGP 3.0 was capable of double the transfer speeds.
Tip: Not all operating systems support AGP because of limited or no driver support. For example, Windows 95 did not incorporate AGP support. See the Windows versions page for information about Windows versions that support AGP.
Today, AGP is being replaced by PCI Express.
What is AGP Pro?
AGP Pro is an AGP interface extension specification for advanced workstations. This specification delivers additional power to video cards, includes an extended connector, thermal envelope, updated mechanical specifications, I/O bracket, and motherboard layout requirements.

AMR
 Released September 8, 1998, AMR is short for Audio/Modem Riser and allows OEMs to make one card that has the functionality of either Modem or Audio or both Audio and Modem on one card. This specification allows for the motherboard to be manufactured at a lower cost and free up industry standard expansion slots in the system for other additional plug-in peripherals. The picture an example of what the AMR slot looks like on the Motherboard. This slot is often on the far edge of the motherboard, next to a PCI slot.


CNR
Short for Communication and Network Riser, CNR is a specification that supports Audio, Modem, USB, and LAN interfaces of core logic chipsets. This technology and the CNR slot was first introduced by Intel February 7, 2000 and was mainly developed by leading hardware and software developers who helped release the AMR (Audio Modem Riser) slot. In the picture below is an example of a CNR slot, which is labled as "CNR_SLOT" on this motherboard.

Today, this slot is no longer found on motherboards and has been replaced with PCI only motherboards and motherboards with PCIe.
EISA
Short for Extended Industry Standard Architecture, EISA, also known as Extended ISA, is a standard first announced in September of 1988 for IBM and IBM compatible computers to compete with the IBM MCA bus. The EISA bus is found on Intel 80386, 80486 and early Pentium computers and was designed by nine competitors to compete with IBM's MCA bus. These competitors were AST Research, Compaq, Epson, Hewlett Packard, NEC, Olivetti, Tandy, WYSE, and Zenith Data Systems.
The EISA bus provided 32-bit slots at an 8.33 MHz cycle rate for use with 386DX or higher processors. In addition, the EISA can accommodate a 16-bit ISA card in the first row.
Although the EISA bus is backwards compatible and not a proprietary bus, it never became widely used and is no longer found in computers today



ISA
1. Short for Industry Standard Architecture, ISA was introduced by IBM and headed by Mark Dean. ISA was originally an 8-bit computer bus that was later expanded to a 16-bit bus in 1984. When this bus was originally released it was a proprietary bus, which allowed only IBM to create peripherals and the actual interface. However, in the early 1980's other manufacturers were creating the bus.
In 1993, Intel and Microsoft introduced a PnP ISA bus that allowed the computer to automatically detect and setup computer ISA peripherals, such as a modem or sound card. Using the PnP technology, an end-user would have the capability of connecting a device and not having to configure the device using jumpers or dip switches.
All recent computers today no longer included the ISA slots and instead are using more PCI, AGP, and other slots. Below is a graphic of what an ISA expansion card may look like as well as the slot it connects into on the motherboard.





Mini PCI
Mini PCI is a standard that measures at 2.75-inch x 1.81-inch x 0.22-inch is a new standard developed by leading notebook manufacturers. This technology could allow manufacturers to lower their prices, as the motherboards would be simpler to design.
Type I - Identical to type II, except requires extra cables for connectors like the RJ-11 and RJ-45. However, offers more flexibility to where it can be placed in the computer.
Type II - Used when size is not important. Type II is able to integrate the RJ-11 and RJ-45 connectors and did away with extra cables.
Type III - SO-DIMM style connector that can be installed with a mere 5 mm overall height above the system board. In addition, cabling to the I/O connectors allow type III cards to be placed anywhere in the system.



MCA
Short for Micro Channel Architecture, MCA was introduced by IBM in 1987 as a competitor to the ISA bus. The MCA bus offered several additional features over the ISA such as a 32-bit bus (although there was also a 16-bit bus), ran at 10MHz, automatically configure cards (similar to what Plug and Play is today), and bus mastering for greater efficiency. The primary downfall of the MCA bus was that it was a proprietary bus and required licensing fees. Because of its proprietary format and competing standards the MCA bus never became widely used and has been fazed out of the desktop computers. Below is an example of a MCA network card and what a MCA card may look like.



PCI Express
Originally known as 3rd Generation I/O (3GIO), PCI Express, or PCIe, was approved as a standard on July 2002 and is a computer bus found in computers. PCI Express is a serial bus designed to replace PCI and AGP and is available in different formats: x1, x2, x4, x8, x12, x16, and x32. The data transmitted over PCI-Express is sent over wires called lanes in full duplex mode (both directions at the same time). Each lane is capable of around 250MBps and the specification can be scaled from 1 to 32 lanes. This means 16 lanes could support a bandwidth of up to 4,000MBps in both directions. Below are some graphic illustrations of what the PCI Express would look like on the motherboard.





PCI
Short for Peripheral Component Interconnect, PCI was introduced by Intel in 1992, revised in 1993 to version 2.0, and later revised in 1995 to PCI 2.1 and is as an expansion to the ISA bus. The PCI bus is a 32-bit (133MBps) computer bus that is also available as a 64-bit bus and was the most commonly found and used computer bus in computers during the late 1990's and early 2000's. Unlike, ISA and earlier expansion cards, PCI follows the PnP specification and therefore does not require any type of jumpers or dip switches. Below is an example of what the PCI slots looks like on a motherboard. In the picture, there are three PCI slots, PCI4, PCI5, and PCI6.

Today's computers and motherboards have replaced PCI with PCI Express (PCIe) slots.
Examples of PCI devices
Modem
Network card
Sound card
Video card
PCI device drivers
If you are looking for PCI drivers, you most likely need to get the drivers for the installed PCI device. For example, if you need a PCI Ethernet adapter driver you need the drivers for the PCI network card. See our drivers section for all computer drivers




SCSI
Short for Small Computer System Interface, SCSI is pronounced as "Scuzzy" and is one of the most commonly used interface for disk drives that was first completed in 1982. Unlike competing standards, SCSI is capable of supporting eight devices, or sixteen devices with Wide SCSI. However, with the SCSI host adapter located on ID number 07 and boots from the ID 00. This leaves the availability of six device connections. In the picture below, is an example of what a SCSI adapter expansion card with an internal and external looks like. Once installed in the computer this adapter would allow multiple SCSI devices to be installed in the computer. More advanced motherboard may also have available SCSI connections on the motherboard.

SCSI-1 is the original SCSI standard developed back in 1986 as ANSI X3.131-1986. SCSI-1 is capable of transferring up to eight bits a second.
SCSI-2 was approved in 1990, added new features such as Fast and Wide SCSI, and support for additional devices.
SCSI-3 was approved in 1996 as ANSI X3.270-1996.
SCSI is a standard for parallel interfaces that transfers information at a rate of eight bits per second and faster, which is faster than the average parallel interface. SCSI-2 and above supports up to seven peripheral devices, such as a hard drive, CD-ROM, and scanner, that can attach to a single SCSI port on a system's bus. SCSI ports were designed for Apple Macintosh and Unix computers, but also can be used with PCs. Although SCSI has been popular in the past, today many users are switching over to SATA drives.
SCSI connectors
The below illustrations are examples of some of the most commonly found and used SCSI connectors on computers and devices and illustrations of each of these connections.



 

 
Related pages





VL Bus
Alternatively abbreviated as VLB, VL Bus is short for VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) Local Bus first introduced by VESA in 1992. The VLB is a 32-bit computer bus that had direct access to the system memory at the speed of the processor, commonly the 486 CPU (33/40 MHz). VLB 2.0 was later released in 1994 and had a 64-bit bus and a bus speed of 50 MHz. Unfortunately, because the VLB heavily relied on the 486 processor, when the Pentium processor was introduced manufacturers began switching to PCI.
USB
 Short for Universal Serial Bus, USB is a standard that was introduced in 1995 by Intel, Compaq, Microsoft and other computer companies. USB 1.x is an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps and is capable of supporting up to 127 peripheral devices. The picture shows an example of a USB cable being connected into the USB port.
USB transfer speeds
USB 2.0, also known as hi-speed USB, was developed by Compaq, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, NECand Philips and was introduced in 2001. Hi-speed USB is capable of supporting a transfer rate of up to 480 Mbps and is backwards compatible, meaning it is capable of supporting USB 1.0 and 1.1 devices and cables.
As of 2012, USB 3.0 also known as SuperSpeed USB is the latest version of the USB protocol. Most new computers feature USB 3.0 ports built-in, offering data transfer speeds of up to five gigabits per second. USB 3.0 improved upon the USB 2.0 technology with speed and performance increases, improved power management and increased bandwidth capability (providing two unidirectional data paths for receiving and sending data at the same time).
USB 3.0 devices were first made available in November 2009 by Buffalo Technology, but the first certified devices weren't available until January 2010. The first certified devices included motherboards from ASUS and Gigabyte Technology. Dell began including USB 3.0 ports in their Inspiron and Dell XPS series of computers in April 2011. Today, many devices use the USB 3.0 revision for improved performance and speed, including USB thumb drives, digital cameras, external hard drives, MP3 players, and other devices.
USB connector variations
USB connectors come in many shapes and sizes as there are many different devices that utilize them. Every version of USB connector including standard, Mini, and Micro have two or more variations of connectors.
USB devices
Today, there are millions of different USB devices that can be connected to your computer. Below are just a few of the most common USB devices you'll likely find and use.
Camera
External drive
iPod or other MP3 player
Keyboard
Keypad
Microphone
Mouse
Printer
Joystick
Jump drive aka Thumb drive
Scanner
Smartphone
Tablet
Webcams


Device driver
More commonly known as a driver, a device driver or hardware driver is a group of software files that enable one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system. Without drivers, a hardware device such as a computer printer would not be able to work with the computer, which is why every hardware device in and connected to your computer has associated drivers.
If the appropriate driver is not installed, the device may not function properly if at all. For Microsoft Windows users, a driver conflict or an error can be seen in the Device Manager. If problems or conflicts are encountered with a driver, the computer manufacturer or hardware manufacturer will release a driver updates to fix the problems.


Computer ISDN and ADSL drivers

Reference Question  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
AOpen Aopen ISDN drivers  
Adtran Adtran ISDN drivers  
Askey Askey ISDN drivers  
Aztech Aztech ADSL modem drivers  
AVM AVM ISDN drivers  
Diamond Multimedia Diamond Multimedia ISDN drivers  
Digi Digi ISDN drivers  
Dynalink Dynalink ISDN drivers  
EICON EICON ISDN drivers  
Interack Interact Communications ISDN drivers  
ITK ITK ISDN drivers  
Microcom Inc Microcom ISDN drivers  
Motorola Motorola ISDN drivers  
Sedlbauer Sedlbauer ISDN drivers  
Spellcaster Spellcaster ISDN drivers  
Wisecom Wisecom ISDN drivers  
Zyxel Zyxel ISDN drivers




Blu-ray, CD-ROM, R, RW, and DVD drivers

 
 
 
 
Company Drivers page  
ACARD ACard CD/DVD software  
Acer Acer disc drivers  
Addonics Addonics disc drivers  
Actima Actima disc drivers  
Afreey Afreey disc drivers  
Alps Alps disc drivers  
AOpen AOpen disc drivers  
APS Tech APS Tech disc drivers  
Archos Archos disc drivers  
Artec Artec disc drivers  
Artecon Artecon disc drivers  
ASUS ASUS disc drivers  
Aztech Aztech disc drivers  
BenQ BenQ disc drivers  
BTC BTC disc drivers  
CenDyne CenDyne disc drivers  
Chinon Chinon disc drivers  
Creative Labs Creative Labs disc drivers  
CyberDrive CyberDrive disc drivers  
Delta Electronics Delta Electronics disc drivers  
Digital Research Digital Research disc drivers  
Disctec Disctec disc drivers  
Exp Computer Exp Computer disc drivers  
Fujitsu Fujitsu disc drivers  
Funai Funai disc drivers  
Genius-Kye Genius-Kye disc drivers  
Goldstar Goldstar disc drivers  
H45 Technologies H45 disc drivers  
Hi-Val Hi-Val disc drivers  
Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard disc drivers  
Hitachi Hitachi disc drivers  
IMES IMES disc drivers  
I/OMagic I/OMagic disc drivers  
Iomega Iomega disc drivers  
Jazz Multimedia Jazz Multimedia DVD drivers  
JCI JCI disc drivers  
JVC JVC disc drivers  
Leoptics Leoptics disc drivers  
Lite-On Lite-On disc drivers  
LG Electronics LG Electronics disc drivers  
Matsushita Matsushita disc drivers  
Memorex Memorex disc drivers  
Micro Solutions Micro Solutions disc drivers  
Mitsubishi Mitsubishi disc drivers  
Mitsumi Mitsumi disc drivers  
Momitsu Momitsu disc drivers  
Mustek Mustek disc drivers  
Nakamichi Nakamichi disc drivers  
NEC NEC disc drivers  
Newcom Newcom disc drivers  
Panasonic Panasonic disc drivers  
Pioneer Pioneer disc drivers  
Plextor Plextor disc drivers  
Procom Procom disc drivers  
Reveal Reveal disc drivers  
Ricoh Ricoh disc drivers  
Samsung Samsung disc drivers  
Sony Sony disc drivers  
Tatung Tatung disc drivers  
Teac Teac disc drivers  
Toshiba Toshiba disc drivers  
Traxdata Traxdata disc drivers  
US Drives US Drives disc drivers  
Vintech Vintech disc drivers  
Vuego (Acer) Vuego disc drivers  
Yamaha Yamaha disc drivers  
Zenith Zenith disc drivers



EIDE, Firewire, IDE, RAID, SCSI, and USB controller drivers

Reference Questions  
Motherboard Listing of computer motherboard drivers and chipsets.  
CH000550 How to determine what type controller I have?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
Acard Acard IDE and SCSI drivers  
ACorp ACorp SCSI drivers  
Adaptec Adaptec SCSI and RAID drivers  
Addonics Addonics NAS, RAID, SATA drivers  
AdvanSys AdvanSys SCSI drivers  
AMD AMD SCSI drivers  
ASUS ASUS SCSI drivers  
Atto Technology ATTO SCSI drivers  
CMD Technology CMD SCSI drivers  
Conner Peripherals Conner SCSI drivers  
CSC CSC SCSI drivers  
Dawicontrol Dawicontrol SCSI drivers  
Diamond Multimedia Diamond Multimedia drivers  
Digital Research Digital Research Scanner and USB drivers  
Domex Domex RAID /SCSI drivers  
H45 H45 SCSI drivers  
HighPoint HighPoint RAID, SCSI, SATA, USB drivers  
Initio Initio SCSI drivers  
Iomega Iomega SCSI drivers  
Linksys Linksys SCSI drivers  
Paradise Paradise SCSI drivers  
Promise Promise SCSI drivers  
Qlogic Qlogic SCSI drivers



Computer digital camera drivers

Reference Question  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
ABS ABS camera drivers  
AGFA AGFA camera drivers  
Canon Canon camera drivers  
Casio Casio camera drivers  
Fuji Fuji camera drivers  
JVC JVC camera drivers  
Kodak Kodak camera drivers  
Logitech Logitech camera drivers  
Mustek Mustek camera drivers  
Nikon Nikon camera drivers  
Olympus Olympus camera drivers  
Polaroid Polaroid camera drivers  
Ricoh Ricoh camera drivers  
Samsung Samsung camera drivers  
Sharp Sharp camera drivers  
SiPix SiPix camera drivers  
Sony Sony camera drivers



Computer hard drive drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000413 Installing a PC IDE/EIDE hard drive.  
CH000497 How do I find the hard drive type and specifications?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
APS Tech APS Tech hard drive drivers  
Conner Conner hard drive drivers  
Digital Digital hard drive drivers  
Fujitsu Fujitsu hard drive drivers  
Hitachi Hitachi hard drive drivers  
IBM IBM hard drive drivers  
JTS JTS hard drive drivers  
Maxtor Maxtor hard drive drivers  
Micropolis Micropolis hard drive drivers  
NEC NEC hard drive drivers  
Quantum Quantum hard drive drivers  
Seagate Seagate hard drive drivers  
Toshiba Toshiba hard drive drivers  
Western Digital Western Digital hard drive drivers



I need computer keyboard drivers or layouts
Keyboard drivers
Today, the majority of standard computer keyboards will be automatically detected and installed by the computer operating systems.
Computer keyboards using USB, Firewire, or other distinctive interfaces or keyboards that have special function keys may require additional software and drivers to work or to have the ability to utilize the special function keys. It is recommended you visit the keyboard manufacturer's web page to obtain the software or driver for your keyboard.
Keyboard layouts
 Users who are using a different layout of computer keyboard, need their keyboard to work with a different language, or need support for characters such as accented characters may need to install a new keyboard layout, install a Multilanguage, or International layout for their operating system.
Microsoft Windows XP users can install different languages and layouts/IME by following the steps below.
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel and double-click the Regional and Language Options icon.
Within the Regional and Language Options window, click the Languages tab.
Within the Text Services and Input Languages window, open the Settings tab and click the Add button to add additional input languages or keyboard layouts.
Once completing the above steps, Microsoft Windows users can switch between these keyboard languages and layouts by clicking on the icon in their Systray or by using the keyboard shortcut key specified in the above layout keyboard windows.
Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4, and 2000 users can install different languages and layouts/IME by following the steps below.
Click Start, Settings, Control Panel and double-click the Keyboard icon.
Within the Keyboard properties window, click the Input Locales tab.
If you want to add an input language or a different layout, click the Add button and select the language and layout you want to use.
Microsoft Windows 3.1x users can install a different layout by following the steps below.
From Program Manager, open the Control Panel.
Within the Control Panel window, open the International icon.
Select the US-International from the dropdown menu and install the new layout using your Windows diskettes.
Apple OS X different languages and keyboard layouts
Open the System Preferences icon from your dock area.
Open the International icon in the System Preferences window.
Select the Keyboard Menu tab.
Finally, select the keyboard layouts you want to install from the Keyboard Menu.
Once completed the above steps, Apple OS X users can change between the different keyboard layout icons by clicking the flag icon in the top corner of the screen.


Computer modem drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000498 How do I find what computer modem I have?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
3COM 3COM modem drivers  
3JTech 3JTech modem drivers  
A-Trend A-Trend modem drivers  
AboCom AboCom modem drivers  
Aceex Aceex modem drivers  
Acer Netxus Acer Netxus modem drivers  
ACorp ACorp modem drivers  
ActionMedia ActionMedia modem drivers  
Actiontec Actiontec modem drivers  
Amquest Amquest modem drivers  
AOpen AOpen modem drivers  
Apache Micro Peripherals Apache modem drivers  
Apex Data Apex Data modem drivers  
Apple Apple modem drivers  
ArchTek ArchTek modem drivers  
Ascend Ascend modem drivers  
Askey Askey modem drivers  
ASOUND ASOUND modem drivers  
Atlas Peripherals Atlas Peripherals modem drivers  
Auslinx Auslinx modem drivers  
Aztech Aztech modem drivers  
Banksia Banksia modem drivers  
Bay Networks Bay Networks modem drivers  
BTC Behavior Tech modem drivers  
Best Data Best Data modem drivers  
Boca Research Boca Research modem drivers  
Broadxent Broadxent System modem drivers  
Cardinal Cardinal modem drivers  
Com one Com one modem drivers  
Creative Creative modem drivers  
Creatix Creatix modem drivers  
Dataflex Dataflex modem drivers  
Datatronics Datatronics modem drivers  
Digicom Systems Digicom System modem drivers  
Diamond Multimedia Diamond modem drivers  
Digitan Systems Digitan Systems modem drivers  
Dynalink Dynalink modem drivers  
E-Tech E-Tech modem drivers  
Echo Communications Echo modem drivers  
Efficient Networks Efficient Networks drivers  
Eiger Labs Eiger modem drivers  
ElectronicFrontier Electronic Frontier modem drivers  
Epox Epox Modem drivers  
Genius-Kye Genius-Kye modem drivers  
Global Village Global Village modem drivers  
GVC GVC modem drivers  
Harmony Harmony modem drivers  
Hayes Hayes modem drivers  
Hightech Hightech modem drivers  
Hornet Hornet modem drivers  
IBM IBM modem drivers  
Inpro Inpro modem drivers  
Intel Intel modem drivers  
Intertex Intertex modem drivers  
Jaton Jaton modem drivers  
Laset Laset modem drivers  
Legato Legato modem drivers  
Lite-On Lite-On modem drivers  
Livingston Livingston modem drivers  
Logicode Logicode modem drivers  
Lucent Lucent modem drivers  
Maestro Maestro modem drivers  
MagicXpress MagicXpress modem drivers  
Magitronic Magitronic modem drivers  
MaxTech MaxTech modem drivers  
Megahertz Megahertz modem drivers  
Microcom Microcom modem drivers  
MIN MIN modem drivers  
Modular Technologies Modular modem drivers  
Motorola Motorola modem drivers  
Multi-Tech Multi-Tech modem drivers  
Multiwave Multiwave modem drivers  
NetComm NetComm modem drivers  
New Media New Media modem drivers  
Newcom Newcom modem drivers  
Ositech Ositech modem drivers  
PCTEL PCTEL modem drivers  
Philips Philips modem drivers  
Phoebe Dacom Phoebe Dacom modem drivers  
PMC PMC modem drivers  
Powercomm Powercomm modem drivers  
Practical Peripherals Practical Peripherals modem drivers  
PSION PSION modem drivers  
Puretek Puretek modem drivers  
Quantum Quantum modem drivers  
Rockwell Rockwell modem drivers  
S3 S3 modem drivers  
Shark Multimedia Shark Multimedia modem drivers  
Siemens Siemens modem drivers  
Sierra Sierra modem drivers  
Smart Modular Technologies Smart modem drivers  
Speedstream Speedstream modem drivers  
Spirit Spirit modem drivers  
Supra Supra modem drivers  
TDK Systems TDK modem drivers  
Taicom Taicom modem drivers  
Thundercom Thundercom modem drivers  
TNC Labs TNC modem drivers  
TriGem TriGem modem drivers  
Trust Trust modem drivers  
Unique Unique modem drivers  
Unimodem/V Unimodem/V modem drivers  
UsRobotics UsRobotics modem drivers  
Viking Components Viking modem drivers  
Wisecom Wisecom modem drivers  
Xircom Xircom modem drivers  
Zoltrix Zoltrix modem drivers  
Zoom Telephonics Zoom modem drivers



Do I need mouse drivers?
Drivers
 Today's operating systems no longer require drivers for standard mouse interoperability. Therefore, if your computer has a standard one or two button mouse and you are using an operating system developed within the last three years, you don't need to install any drivers and it is very unlikely that your mouse has any driver updates available.
Getting the mouse to work in MS-DOS.
If you have a standard mouse that is not working see the mouse help page for additional troubleshooting steps in finding out the problem.
Software
Although drivers are not necessary, if you have a mouse with additional features, e.g. extra buttons, trackball, or other special features. You will need to download the software for that mouse in order for all the features to work and be changed.
Listing of mouse software links

Installing a PC computer mouse
Before getting started
Difficulty of installing computer mouse should be a 1 out of 5.
When connecting the PS/2 or Serial mouse, ensure the computer is off; if the mouse is a USB mouse the computer can be off or on during the installation.
Connect cables
PS/2 Mouse
Connect the mouse to the PS/2 port on the back of the computer. Today, although many computers are still using PS/2 mice if you're using a USB mouse skip to the next section.
When looking at the back of the computer you'll notice two PS/2 ports next to each other. Verify you're connecting the mouse into the teal or green connection as shown in the picture belows. If your PS/2 ports are not color coded the mouse will be the connection furthest away from the left edge of the computer (when looking at it from the back). If the connections are vertical and not horizontal as shown below the mouse connection may be either depending on the case and motherboard. Look for a small symbol next to the port to identify what one is the mouse.

USB Mouse
Connect the USB mouse to the USB ports on the back or front of your computer or if you are using a USB port hub, connect the mouse to to the hub.

Serial Mouse
Connect the mouse to the serial port on the back of the computer. If the computer has serial devices currently connected to the computer and the computer has two serial ports we recommend you use the first serial connection if you encounter problems connecting the mouse. Once connected depending on your computer setup you may need to configure the mouse in CMOS setup as found in the next section.

Install software and drivers
Do I need mouse drivers?
Setup in CMOS setup
If you have connected a serial or USB mouse it may be necessary to setup the ports in CMOS setup.
If the mouse you are using is a serial mouse and it's having issues being detected verify that the serial ports or COM ports are enabled and assigned properly in CMOS.
If the mouse was a USB mouse, ensure that USB is enabled and if available, also ensure that the USB Legacy support is also enabled; this allows the mouse to work in legacy mode, for example, DOS.


Where can I get monitor drivers?
 Today most monitors and computer operating systems rely on compatible, default, or PnP monitor drivers that are already included with the operating system. In some rare situations a monitor may need drivers for special features. If you are encountering video issues, it is more likely an issue with the video card drivers, not the monitor.
You should only expect to see a drivers diskette or CD if your monitor has one or more of the features below.
Monitor has special features, such as a USB monitor.
Monitor is incompatible with the Windows monitor drivers.
Monitor settings are adjusted through software.
Monitor has other advanced features not found on a standard monitor.
Determining manufacturer of model of the monitor
How do I find the monitor or display I'm using?
Windows users
Allowing Windows to automatically detect the monitor allows the monitor to be installed. If you are having trouble installing a monitor use the standard, default, or monitor close the model and manufacturer of your monitor.
Windows 9x, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP users
If you are installing a new monitor on a computer that has had a different monitor, the old monitor may show in Device Manager, if the computer is having video issues remove that monitor from device manager.
Macintosh users
Using the standard, default, or similar monitor listed in the monitors listing allow the monitor to work with no issues.
Linux and Unix users
Most Linux and Unix variants today have a broad range of available monitors. Choosing a monitor close to or with the same settings as your monitor will work with no issues.
Some variants may also require that the Vertical and Horizontal Refresh rates be entered for the monitor to be installed. This information can be obtained from the monitor manual or the computer monitor manufacturer


Computer motherboard drivers

Chipset company Drivers page  
ALi ALi chipset drivers  
AMD AMD chipset drivers  
Intel Intel chipset drivers  
NVidia NVidia chipset drivers  
SiS SiS chipset drivers  
VIA VIA chipset drivers  
Motherboard company Drivers and BIOS page  
Abit Abit downloads  
Acer Acer downloads  
Albatron Albatron downloads  
AOpen AOpen downloads  
ASRock ASRock downloads  
ASUS ASUS downloads  
BIOSTAR BIOSTAR downloads  
Chaintech Chaintech downloads  
DFI DFI downloads  
ECS ECS downloads  
Epox Epox downloads  
EVGA EVGA download center  
FIC FIC downloads  
Gemlight Gemlight downloads  
General Standards General Standards downloads  
GIGABYTE GIGABYTE downloads  
Intel Intel downloads  
Iwill Iwill downloads  
Leadtek Leadtek downloads  
Matsonic Matsonic downloads  
Micro-Star Micro-star downloads  
MSI MSI downloads  
PC Chips PC Chips downloads  
Sapphire Technology Sapphire Technology downloads  
SBS Bit 3 SBS Bit 3 downloads  
SBS Technologies SBS Technologies downloads  
Shuttle Shuttle downloads  
Soltek Soltek downloads  
Soyo Soyo downloads  
Supermicro Supermicro downloads  
Tyan Tyan downloads  
XFX XFX downloads


Computer network drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000500 How do I find what network card and network I'm using?  
CH000681 Where do I locate the motherboard network drivers?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
CH001287 How do I update the firmware on my router?  
Company Drivers page  
3COM 3COM NIC drivers  
ACorp ACorp NIC drivers  
Accton Accton NIC drivers  
Addtron Addtron NIC drivers  
Allied Telesyn Allied Telesyn NIC drivers  
AmbiCom AmbiCom NIC drivers  
Archtek Archtek NIC drivers  
Asound Asound NIC Card drivers  
Boca Research Boca Research NIC drivers  
Cirrus Logic Cirrus Logic NIC drivers  
CNetUSA CNetUSA NIC drivers  
Compex Compex NIC drivers  
D-Link D-Link NIC drivers  
DFI DFI NIC drivers  
Diamond Multimedia Diamond Wireless drivers  
Digital (DEC) DEC NIC drivers  
Eiger Labs Eiger NIC drivers  
FDDI FDDI NIC drivers  
Hercules Hercules wireless drivers  
Genius Genius NIC drivers  
Gigabyte Gigabyte NIC drivers  
GVC GVC NIC drivers  
Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard NIC drivers  
IBM IBM NIC drivers  
Intel Intel NIC drivers  
Kingston Kingston NIC drivers  
KTI Networks KTI NIC drivers  
Lexmark Lexmark NIC drivers  
Linksys Linksys NIC drivers  
Longshine Longshine NIC drivers  
Madge Networks Madge NIC drivers  
National Semiconductor National Semiconductor NIC drivers  
NDC NDC NIC drivers  
Netlux Netlux NIC drivers  
Networth Networth NIC drivers  
Novell Novell NIC drivers  
Olicom Olicom NIC drivers  
Osicom Osicom NIC drivers  
Phoebe Phoebe NIC drivers  
Proxim Proxim NIC drivers  
Puredata Puredata NIC drivers  
Realtek Realtek NIC drivers  
Repotec Repotec NIC drivers  
SMC SMC NIC drivers  
Thomas-Conrad Thomas-Conrad NIC drivers  
TRENDnet TRENDnet drivers  
Wavelan Wavelan NIC drivers  
Winbound Winbound NIC drivers  
Xircom Xircom NIC drivers


Computer printer drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000501 How do I find what computer printer I have?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
Alps Alps Printer Drivers  
Amstrad Amstrad Printer Drivers  
Apollo Apollo Printer Drivers  
Brother Brother Printer Drivers  
CalComp Graphics CalComp Graphic Printer Drivers  
Canon Canon Printer Drivers  
Citizen Citizen Printer Drivers  
Citoh Citoh Printer Drivers  
Datamax-O'Neil Datamax Printer Drivers  
Dell Dell Printer Drivers  
Digital Equipment Corp. Digital Printer Drivers  
Epson Epson Printer Drivers  
Fargo Fargo Printer Drivers  
Fujitsu Fujitsu Printer Drivers  
GCC Technologies GCC Printer Drivers  
Genicom Genicom Printer Drivers  
Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard Printer Drivers  
Lexmark Lexmark Printer Drivers  
Minolta QMS Minolta Printer Drivers  
NEC NEC Printer Drivers  
NewGen Systems NewGen Printer Drivers  
Okidata Printer Drivers Okidata Printer Drivers  
Olvetti Lexikon Olvetti Lexikon Printer Drivers  
Output Technologies Output Printer Drivers  
Panasonic Panasonic Printer Drivers  
QMS QMS Printer Drivers  
Ricoh Ricoh Printer Drivers  
Samsung Samsung Printer Drivers  
Sharp Electronics Sharp Printer Drivers  
Star Micronics Star Printer Drivers  
Tally Printer Corp Tally Printer Drivers  
Tektronix Tektronix Printer Drivers  
Texas Instruments Texas Instruments Printer Drivers  
Toshiba Toshiba Printer Drivers  
Xante Xante Printer Drivers  
Xerox Xerox Printer Drive


Computer removable media drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
ADIC ADIC tape drive drivers  
APS Technologies APS Technologies removable drive drivers  
Artecon Artecon tape drive drivers  
Colorado Colorado tape drive drivers  
Conner Conner tape drive drivers  
Cristie Cristie tape drive drivers  
Exabyte Exabyte tape drive drivers  
Fujitsu Fujitsu tape drive drivers  
GigaTrend GigaTrend tape drive drivers  
H45 H45 removable drive drivers  
Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard tape drive drivers  
IBM IBM tape drive drivers  
Imation Imation removable drive drivers  
Iomega Iomega Bernoulli Drivers  
Iomega Iomega Jaz Drive Drivers  
Iomega Iomega Zip Drive Drivers  
Micro Solutions Micro Solutions removable drive drivers  
Procom Procom tape drive drivers  
Qualstar Qualstar tape drive drivers  
Quantum Quantum tape drive drivers  
Seagate Seagate tape drive drivers  
Sony Sony removable drive drivers  
Syquest Syquest removable drive drivers  
Tandburg Data Tandburg tape drive drivers  
Teac Teac tape drive drivers  
Tecmar Tecmar tape drive drivers  
Valitek Valitek tape drive drivers


Computer scanner drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000502 How do I find what computer scanner I have?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
Company Drivers page  
Acer Acer scanner drivers  
AGFA AGFA scanner drivers  
Artec Artec scanner drivers  
BenQ BenQ scanner drivers  
Brother Brother scanner drivers  
Canon Canon scanner drivers  
DEXXA Dexxa scanner drivers  
DFI DFI scanner drivers  
E-Lux E-Lux scanner drivers  
Envisions Envisions scanner drivers  
Epson Epson scanner drivers  
Genius Genius scanner drivers  
Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard scanner drivers  
IBM IBM scanner drivers  
Info Peripherals Info Peripherals scanner drivers  
Kodak Kodak scanner drivers  
Logitech Logitech scanner drivers  
Microtek Microtek scanner drivers  
Mustek Mustek scanner drivers  
OpticPro OpticPro scanner drivers  
Optrox Optrox scanner drivers  
Our Business Machines Our Business Machines scanner drivers  
Pacific Image Pacific Image scanner drivers  
Packard Bell Packard Bell scanner drivers  
Panasonic Panasonic scanner drivers  
Plustek Plustek scanner drivers  
Polaroid Polaroid scanner drivers  
Primax Primax scanner drivers  
Qtronix Qtronix scanner drivers  
Relisys Relisys scanner drivers  
Ricoh Ricoh scanner drivers  
Spot Technology Spot scanner drivers  
Storm Technologies Storm Technologies Drivers  
Tamarack Technologies Tamarack scanner drivers  
Trust Trust scanner drivers  
UMAX UMAX scanner drivers  
Visioneer Visioneer scanner drivers  
Vivitar Vivitar scanner drivers


Computer sound card drivers

Reference Questions  
CH000503 How do I find what computer sound card I have?  
CH000660 Where do I locate motherboard sound drivers?  
CH000834 How do I install a computer driver?  
DirectX Direct X information and help.  
Company Drivers page  
A-Trend A-Trend sound card drivers  
Acer Acer sound card drivers  
Ad-Chips Ad-Chips sound card drivers  
Addonics Addonics sound card drivers  
AdLib AdLib sound card drivers  
AIMS Lab Inc. AIMS radio card drivers  
Analog Devices Analog sound card drivers  
AOpen AOpen sound card drivers  
Aria Aria sound card drivers  
ASOUND Asound sound card drivers  
ASUS ASUS sound card drivers  
AudioExcel AudioExcel sound card drivers  
AUDIOTRACK AUDIOTRACK sound card drivers  
Avance Logic Avance Logic sound card drivers  
AXLE AXLE sound card drivers  
Aztech Aztech sound card drivers  
Aztech Labs Aztech Labs sound card drivers  
Boca Research Boca Research sound card drivers  
BTC Behavior Tech sound card drivers  
C-Media (CMI) C-Media sound card drivers  
Chaintech Chaintech sound card drivers  
Conexant Conexant sound card drivers  
Creative Labs Creative Labs sound card drivers  
Crystal Lake Crystal Lake sound card drivers  
Crystal Crystal sound card drivers  
Cyrix Cyrix Sound Drivers  
Diamond Multimedia Diamond Multimedia sound card drivers  
Digital Audio Labs Digital Audio Labs sound card drivers  
Digital Research Digital Research sound card drivers  
Ectiva Ectiva sound card drivers  
Eiger Labs Eiger Labs sound card drivers  
Ensoniq Ensoniq sound card drivers  
ESS Technologies ESS sound card drivers  
Frontier Design Frontier sound card drivers  
Genius-Kye Genius-Kye sound card drivers  
Genoa Systems Genoa sound card drivers  
Guillemot Hercules Guillemot Hercules sound card drivers  
I/O Magic I/O Magic sound card drivers  
IntreSource IntreSource sound card drivers  
Labway Labway sound card drivers  
Logitech Logitech sound card drivers  
Magitronic Magitronic sound card drivers  
Mediatrix Mediatrix sound card drivers  
Multiwave Multiwave sound card drivers  
New Media New Media sound card drivers  
Oak Technology Oak Technology sound card drivers  
Opcode Opcode sound card drivers  
OPTi OPTi sound card drivers  
Orchid Technology Orchid sound card drivers  
PC Chips PC Chips sound card drivers  
Phoebe Phoebe sound card drivers  
Prometheus Prometheus sound card drivers  
Pure Digital Pure Digital sound card drivers  
Realtek Realtek sound card drivers  
Rockwell Rockwell sound card drivers  
Roland Roland sound card drivers  
Shark Multimedia Shark Multimedia sound card drivers  
SIIG SIIG sound card drivers  
Silicom Multimedia Silicom Multimedia sound card drivers  
Sound Blaster Sound Blaster sound card drivers  
Sound Pro Sound Pro sound card drivers  
SoundMAX SoundMAX sound card drivers  
Televideo Inc. Televideo sound card drivers  
Trigem Trigem sound card drivers  
Triple D Triple D sound card drivers  
Turtle Beach Turtle Beach sound card drivers  
VIA VIA sound card drivers  
VideoLogic VideoLogic sound card drivers  
Voyetra Voyetra sound card drivers  
Yamaha Yamaha sound card drivers  
Zoltrix Zoltrix sound card drivers



Computer video card drivers

Reference Questions  
Chipset A listing of motherboard and chipset drivers.  
CH000258 How do I know what computer video card I have?  
CH000680 Where do I locate the motherboard video drivers?  
CH001192 How do I install the latest video drivers on my computers?  
Company Drivers page  
Microsoft DirectX page  
3D Labs 3D Labs video card drivers  
3DFX 3DFX video card drivers  
Abit Abit video card drivers  
ACorp ACorp video card drivers  
AIMS AIMS Video Card drivers  
Alliance Promotion Alliance Promotion video card drivers  
AOpen AOpen video card drivers  
ARK Logic ARK Logic video card drivers  
ASUS ASUS video card drivers  
ATI ATI video card drivers  
Advance Logic Advance Logic video card drivers  
AXLE AXLE video card drivers  
Aztech Aztech video card drivers  
BFG Technologies BFG video card drivers  
BIOSTAR BIOSTAR video card drivers  
Boca Research Boca video card drivers  
Britek Britek video card drivers  
Canopus Corporation Canopus video card drivers  
Cardex Cardex video card drivers  
Chips and Technologies Chips video card drivers  
Cirrus Logic Cirrus Logic video card drivers  
Colorgraphic Colorgraphic video card drivers  
Compro Compro video card drivers  
Cornerstone Cornerstone video card drivers  
Cyrix Cyrix video card drivers  
Data Expert Data Expert video card drivers  
Dazzle Multimedia Dazzle Multimedia video card drivers  
DFI DFI video card drivers  
Diamond Multimedia Diamond video card drivers  
Digital Research Digital Research video card drivers  
ECS ECS video card drivers  
ELSA ELSA video card drivers  
Eontronics Eontronics video card drivers  
Fast Multimedia Fast Multimedia video card drivers  
FIC FIC video card drivers  
Gainward Gainward video card drivers  
Genoa Systems Genoa video card drivers  
GIGABYTE GIGABYTE video card drivers  
Hauppauge Hauppauge TV tuner and other tuner drivers.  
Intel Intel video card drivers  
Inno3d Inno3d video card drivers  
Innovision Innovision video card drivers  
Integrated Micro Solutions Intergrated Micro Solutions video card drivers  
Intergraph Intergraph video card drivers  
Ixmicro Ixmicro video card drivers  
Jaton Corp Jaton video card drivers  
Jazz Multimedia Jazz Multimedia video card drivers  
Joytech Joytech video card drivers  
Leadtek Leadtek video card drivers  
Legend Legend video card drivers  
Matrox Matrox video card drivers  
Maxtech Maxtech video card drivers  
Mirage Mirage video card drivers  
Multimedia Access Corp. Multimedia Access video card drivers  
NeoMagic NeoMagic video card drivers  
Number Nine Number Nine video card drivers  
NVIDIA NVIDIA video drivers  
Oak Technologies Oak video card drivers  
OPTi OPTi video card drivers  
Orchid Technologies Orchid video card drivers  
Paradise Paradise video card drivers  
PC Chips PC Chips video card drivers  
Phoebe Phoebe video card drivers  
Pinnacle Pinnacle video card drivers  
PNY Technologies PNY Technologies video card drivers  
Pure Digital Pure Digital video card drivers  
Quanta Quanta video card drivers  
RealTek RealTek video card drivers  
RealVision RealVision video card drivers  
S3 S3 video card drivers  
Sapphire Sapphire video card drivers  
Sierra Online Screaming 3D video card drivers  
SiS Corporation SiS video card drivers  
STB Systems STB Systems video card drivers  
Symmetric Symmetric video card drivers  
Televideo Inc. Televideo video card drivers  
Trident Trident video card drivers  
TriGem TriGem video card drivers  
Triple D Triple D video card drivers  
Tyan Tyan video card drivers  
VideoLogic VideoLogic video card drivers  
Voodo Cards 3DFx video card drivers  
Western Digital Western Digital video card drivers  
XFX XFX video card drivers  
Xionics Xionics video card drivers


Company Contacts
ATEN
 Established in 1979, ATEN is the manufacturer of KVM switches, USB hubs, Firewire hubs, and other computer accessories.
Contact information

Phone: (888) 999-2836  
Fax: None or unknown  
TDD: None or unknown  
Website: http://www.aten.com  
 
Address: Corporate Headquarters
3F., No.125, Sec. 2, Datong Rd.
Sijhih District., New Taipei City 221, Taiwan

USA Subsidiary
19641 DaVinci
Foothill Ranch, CA 92610, U.S.A
Cleaning the computer and its components
 Cleaning your computer and your computer components and peripherals helps keep the components and computer in good working condition and helps keep the computers from spreading germs. The picture to the right is a good example of how dirty the inside of your computer case can get. In this example, it is obvious that all the dirt build up is going to prevent proper air flow and may even prevent the fan from working.
How often should I clean my computer?
General cleaning tips
Cleaning tools
Case cleaning
CD-ROM, DVD, and other disc drives
CD and DVD disc cleaning
Fan cleaning
Hard drive cleaning
Headphones cleaning
Keyboard cleaning
Laptop cleaning
LCD cleaning
Monitor cleaning
Motherboard cleaning
Mouse cleaning
Printer cleaning
Scanner cleaning
Miscellaneous cleaning steps
How often should I clean my computer?
The frequency of how often you should clean your computer varies on different factors. To help you determine how often you need to clean your computer we've created the below chart. Check each of the boxes below that apply to your computers environment to determine how often it should be cleaned.

Where is computer located?  
In a home environment  
In a clean office environment  
In construction or industry environment  
In school environment  
Computer environment  
Have cat or dog in same building as computer  
Smoke in same building as computer  
Smoke next to computer  
Computer is on floor  
Room that the computer is in has carpet  
Eat or drink by computer  
Who uses it?  
Adult (18 and older)  
Young adults (ages 10-18) use computer  
Pre-teen (younger than 10) use computer  
More than one person uses computer
With what is checked above, clean your computer every months.
General cleaning Tips
Below is a listing of general tips that should be taken when cleaning any of the components or peripherals of a computer as well as tips to help keep a computer clean.
Never spray or squirt any liquid onto any computer component. If a spray is needed, spray the liquid onto a cloth and then use that cloth to rub down the component.
You can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around the computer on the outside case. However, do not use a vacuum for the inside of your computer as it generates a lot of static electricity that can damage the internal components of your computer. If you need to use a vacuum to clean the inside of your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum designed to do this job or try using compressed air.
When cleaning a component or the computer, turn it off before cleaning.
Be cautious when using any cleaning solvents; some individuals may have allergic reactions to chemicals in cleaning solvents and some solvents can even damage the case. Try to always use water or a highly diluted solvent.
When cleaning, be careful not to accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. In addition, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is plugged in, make sure not to disconnect any of the plugs.
When cleaning fans, especially the smaller fans within a portable computer or laptop it's suggested that you either hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage or back voltage to be generated.
Never eat or drink around the computer.
Limit smoking around the computer.
Cleaning tools
Although many companies have created products to help improve the process of cleaning your computer and peripherals, users can also use household items to clean their computers and peripherals. Below is a listing of items you may need or want to use while cleaning your computer or computer peripherals.
Keep in mind that some components in your computer may only be able to be cleaned using a product designed for cleaning that component; if this is the case, it will be mentioned in the cleaning tips.
Cloth - A cloth is the best tool used when rubbing down a component; although paper towels can be used with most hardware, we recommend using a cloth when ever possible. Caution: We only suggest you use a cloth when cleaning components such as the outside of the case, a drive, mouse, etc. You should not use a cloth to clean any circuitry such as the RAM or motherboard since they can generate ESD that can damage electronics.
Water or rubbing alcohol - When moistening a cloth, it is best to use water or rubbing alcohol. Other solvents may be bad for the plastics used with your computer.
Portable Vacuum - Sucking the dust, dirt, hair, cigarette particles, and other particles out of a computer can be one of the best methods of cleaning a computer. Over time, these items can restrict the airflow in a computer and cause circuitry to corrode. Do not use a standard vacuum as it can generate a lot of static electricity that can damage your computer.
Cotton swabs - Cotton swaps moistened with rubbing alcohol or water are excellent tools for wiping hard to reach areas in your keyboard, mouse, and other locations.
Foam swabs - Whenever possible, it is better to use lint-free swabs such as foam swabs.
Case cleaning
Why? Keeps the appearance of the computer looking new. During cleaning, if ventilation locations are found, these can be cleaned helping the case keep a steady airflow to the computer, keeping components cool and in good working condition.
Procedure: The plastic case that houses the PC components can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth that has been slightly dampened with water. For stubborn stains, add a little household detergent to the cloth. It is recommended that you never use a solvent cleaner on plastics.
Make sure all vents and air holes are hair and lint free by rubbing a cloth over the holes and vents. It is also helpful to take a vacuum around each of the hole, vents, and crevices on the computer. It is safe to use a standard vacuum when cleaning the outside vents of a computer; however, if you need to clean the inside of the computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum to prevent static electricity.
If you are looking for steps on cleaning the inside of the computer, see the motherboard cleaning section.
Additional help: Case Page
CD-ROM, DVD, and other disc drive cleaning
Why? A dirty CD-ROM drive or other disc drives can cause read errors when reading discs. These read errors could cause software installation issues or issues while running the program.
Procedure: To clean the CD-ROM drive we recommend purchasing a CD-ROM cleaner from your local retailer such as a local Radio Shack. Using a CD-ROM cleaner should sufficiently clean the CD-ROM laser from dust, dirt, and hair.
In addition to cleaning the drive with a special disc designed to clean drives users can also use a cloth dampened with water to clean the tray that ejects from the drive. Make sure however that after the tray has been cleaned that it completely dry before putting the tray back into the drive.
See the CD cleaning recommendation for further steps on cleaning each of your CDs.
Additional help: CD-ROM Page
CD and DVD disc cleaning
Why? Dirty CDs can cause read errors or cause CDs to not work at all.
Procedure: Cleaning CDs and DVDs should be done with a cleaning kit but can also be done with a normal clean cotton cloth or shirt. When doing this with a clean cotton cloth or shirt, wipe against the tracks, starting from the middle of the CD or DVD and wiping towards the outer side as shown in the picture below. Never wipe with the tracks; doing so may put more scratches on the disc.

It is recommended when cleaning a CD that water is used. However, if the substance on a CD cannot be removed using water, pure alcohol can also be used.
Additional help: CD-ROM Page
Hard drive cleaning
Why? While hard drives cannot be cleaned physically, they can be cleaned with various utilities on the computer to help it run fast and more efficiently. Utilizing these utilities will prevent the hard drive from slowing down.
Procedure: Refer to our basic troubleshooting section for your operating system for steps that can be done to help improve the performance of your computer.
Additional help: Hard drive page
Headphones cleaning
Why? Headphones that are used by multiple people may need to be cleaned frequently to help prevent the spreading of germs and head lice.
Procedure: If the headphones being used are plastic or vinyl, moisten a cloth with warm water and rub the head and earpieces of the headphones. As mentioned earlier in our cleaning tips, it is recommended that if your headphones are being used for a library or school that you do not use any disinfectant or cleaning solvent as users may have allergic reactions to the chemicals they contain.
Headphones that have cushions also have the availability of having the cushions replaced. Replacing these cushions can also help keep the headphones clean.
Finally, in regards to headphones and the spreading of head lice, if multiple students are using your headphones, you should consider having the students use their own headphones, using bags that are placed over the headphones, or having headphones that can be wiped with warm water after each student has used the headphones.
Keyboard cleaning
The steps below are for cleaning a standard desktop keyboard. See the cleaning a laptop keyboard page for steps if you have a laptop.
Dust, dirt, and bacteria
The computer keyboard is often the most germ infected items in your home or office, often it will contain more bacteria than your toilet seat. Cleaning it can help remove any dangerous bacteria. Dirt, dust, and hair can also build up causing the keyboard to not function properly.
Procedure: Before cleaning the keyboard first turn off the computer or if you're using a USB keyboard unplug it. Not unplugging the keyboard can result in causing other computer problems as you may press keys that cause the computer to perform a task you don't want it to do.
Many people clean the keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking. A more effective method is to use compressed air. Compressed air is pressurized air contained in a can with a very long nozzle. aim the air between the keys and blow away all of the dust and debris that has gathered there. A vacuum cleaner can also be used, but make sure the keyboard doesn't have loose "pop off" keys that could possibly be sucked up by the vacuum.
If you want to clean the keyboard more extensively you'll need to remove the keys from the keyboard.
After the dust, dirt, and hair has been removed. Spray a disinfectant onto a cloth or use disinfectant cloths and rub each of the keys on the keyboard. As mentioned in our general cleaning tips, never spray any liquid onto the keyboard.
Substance spilt into the keyboard
If the keyboard has anything spilt into it (e.g. pop, cola, Pepsi, Coke, beer, wine, coffee, milk, etc.), not taking the proper steps can cause the keyboard to be destroyed.
Procedure: Below are a few recommendations to help prevent a keyboard from becoming bad once a substance has been spilt within it.
If anything is spilt onto the keyboard turn the computer off immediately or at the very least disconnect it from the computer. Once done flip the keyboard over helping to prevent the substance from penetrating circuits. While the keyboard is upside down, shake the keyboard over a surface that can be cleaned later. While still upside down, use a cloth to help clean out what can be reached. After cleaned to the best of your ability leave the keyboard upside down for at least one night allowing it to dry. Once dry, continue cleaning the keyboard with any remaining substance.
If after cleaning the keyboard you have keys that stick remove the keys and clean below the keys and the bottom portion of the key.
Finally, if the keyboard still works but remains dirty or sticky before discarding the keyboard as a last resort try washing the keyboard in the dishwasher.
If after doing all the above steps the keyboard does not function properly or at all it's recommended you buy a new keyboard.
Additional Information: Keyboard Page
LCD cleaning
Why? Dirt, dust, and finger prints can cause the computer screen to be difficult to read.
Procedure: Unlike a computer monitor, the LCD or flat-panel display is not made of glass, therefore requires special cleaning procedures.
When cleaning the LCD screen it is important to remember to not spray any liquids onto the LCD directly, press gently while cleaning, and do not use a paper towel as it may cause the LCD to become scratched.
To clean the LCD screen we recommend that you use a non-rugged microfiber cloth, soft cotton cloth, or Swiffer duster. If a dry cloth does not completely clean the screen, you can apply rubbing alcohol to the cloth and wipe the screen with the damp cloth. Rubbing alcohol is used to clean the LCD before it leaves the factory.
Additional help: LCD help
Monitor cleaning
Tip: This section is for computer monitors if you have a LCD or flat-panel see the LCD cleaning section.
Why? Dirt, dust, and fingerprints can cause the computer screen to be difficult to read.
Procedure: The glass monitor screen can be cleaned with ordinary household glass cleaner*. Be sure to remove power from the monitor and spray the cleaner onto a lint free-cloth so the fluid doesn't leak into the electrical components inside the monitor. Vacuum off any dust that has settled on top of the monitor, and make sure no books or papers have been placed on the air vents. Obstructed monitor vents can cause the monitor to overheat or even catch on fire.
Caution: We suggest using a cloth dampened with water when cleaning monitor on a screen that is not made of glass or has any anti-glare protection on the screen. Using ordinary household glass cleaner on special screens, especially cleaners with ammonia can remove anti-glare protection or other special surfaces.
Other good cleaning solutions
Microfiber Towels
Swiffer Dusters
Additional help: Monitor page
Motherboard cleaning
Why? Dust and especially particles of cigarette smoke can build up and corrode circuitry causing various problems such as computer lockups
Caution: When inside the computer take the necessary ESD precautions and try to avoid unplugging any cables or other connections.
Procedure: Our recommendation when cleaning the motherboard from dust, dirt, or hair is to use compressed air. When using compressed air, hold it in the up-right position; otherwise, it is possible chemicals may come out of the container that could damage or corrode the Motherboard or other component within the computer. Also, ensure when using compressed air that you always blow the dust or dirt away from the motherboard, or out of the case.
Another good alternative to compressed air is to use a portable battery powered vacuum that can effectively remove the dust, dirt, and hair from the motherboard completely and prevent it from getting trapped within the case. However, do not use a standard electricity powered vacuum as it can cause a lot of static electricity that can damage the computer. When using the vacuum it is vital that you stay a couple inches away from the motherboard and all other components to help prevent contact as well as to help prevent anything from being sucked into the vacuum. Ensure that you do not remove any small components with the vacuum such as jumpers.
Tip: When cleaning the inside of the case also look at any fans or heat sinks. Dust, dirt, and hair collects around these components the most.
Additional help: Motherboard Page
Mouse cleaning
Why? A dirty optical-mechanical mouse (mouse with a ball) can cause the mouse to be difficult to move as well as cause strange mouse movement.
Procedure: To clean the rollers of an optical-mechanical mouse, you must first remove the bottom cover of the mouse. To do this, examine the bottom of the mouse to see what direction the mouse cover should be rotated. As you can see in the below illustration, the mouse cover must be moved counter clockwise. Place two fingers on the mouse cover and push the direction of the arrows.

 Once the cover has rotated about an inch, rotate the mouse into its normal position, covering the bottom of the mouse with one hand and the bottom should fall off including the mouse ball. If this does not occur, attempt to shake the mouse gently.
Once the bottom cover and the ball are removed, you should be able to see three rollers located within the mouse. Use a cotton swab, finger, or fingernail to remove any substance. Usually, there will be a small line of hair and dirt in the middle of the roller, remove as much as this substance as possible.
Once you have removed as much dirt and hair as possible, place the ball back within the mouse and place the cover back on.
If the mouse still appears to be having the same issue, repeat the above process; if after several attempts the mouse is still having the same issues, it's likely that your mouse has other hardware issues and we recommend that it be replaced.
Note: Cleaning your mouse pad with a damp cloth can also help improve a computer's mouse movement.
Why? To help keep a mouse clean and germ free it can be helpful to clean the mouse.
Procedure: Use a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol or warm water and rub the surface of the mouse and each of its buttons.
Additional help: Mouse Page
Printer cleaning
Why? Cleaning the outside of a printer can help keep the printer's appearance looking good; and in the case of a printer that is used by many different people, keep the printer clean of germs.
Procedure: First, make sure to turn off the printer before cleaning it. Dampen a cloth with water or rubbing alcohol and wipe the case and each of the buttons or knobs on the printer. As mentioned earlier, never spray any liquid directly onto the printer.
Why? With some printers it may be necessary to clean the inside of the printer to help keep the printer running smoothly.
How do I clean an Inkjet printer?
Scanner cleaning
Why? Flatbed scanners commonly become dirty with dust, fingerprints, and hair. When a scanner is dirty, the images may have distortions.
Procedure: Clean a flatbed scanner's surface by spraying a window cleaner onto a paper towel or cotton cloth and wipe the glass until clean. As mentioned earlier, never spray a liquid directly onto the component.
To clean the outside of the scanner, the same towel or cotton cloth can be used.
Miscellaneous cleaning steps
Below are a listing of miscellaneous computer hardware that is rarely used today, but kept on this page for the few people who are working on older computers and need to clean these devices.
Floppy drive cleaning
Why? Dirty read/write heads on the floppy drive can cause errors during the reading or writing process.
Procedures: The floppy drive can be cleaned two different ways. The first method of cleaning a floppy drive, and our recommended method, is to purchase a kit at your local retail store designed to clean the read/write heads on your floppy drive.
The second method of cleaning the floppy drive is only recommended for experienced computer users. Open the floppy drive casing and physically swab the read/write heads with a lint-free foam swab soaked in pure alcohol, free-on, or trichloroethane. When performing these steps, be extremely careful when cleaning the heads to ensure that you do not lock them out of alignment causing the floppy drive to not work. To help prevent the heads from becoming out of alignment, use a dabbing motion lightly putting the swab on the head and removing it, do not perform a side-to-side motion with the swab.
Additional help: Floppy Drive Page
Palm pilot cleaning
Why? Dirty touch screens can cause difficult navigation.
Procedure: To clean the Palm Pilot Screen, use a soft cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol and rub the screen and the casing of the palm pilot. It is not recommended to use glass cleaner as it could damage plastics over time.
SuperDisk and LS120 cleaning
Why? It is recommended that the SuperDisk and LS120 drive be cleaned regularly to prevent drive heads from becoming dirty.
Procedure: Purchase the SuperDisk cleaning kit available through Imation. Using any other method will void the warranty on your drive.