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Computer Components February 19, 2025

Your Computer Can’t Keep Time

Your Computer Can’t Keep Time

A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate; for example, the date and time, the amount of memory installed, the number of drives and their configuration, and so on. In the early days of computers, either the user typed in this information each time the computer started, or it was set using DIP switches and jumpers. Today, computers store this information in a CMOS chip that uses a small battery to retain the information when the computer is shut off.
CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) is type of chip that consumes very little power; therefore, while the computer is turned off, the battery discharges very slowly. But the battery will totally discharge if you leave your computer turned off for a year or so. Even if you turn your computer on every day, the battery is designed to last only a couple of years. Occasionally a battery will fail prematurely.
Today’s plug-and-play computers can detect most of the necessary settings, but if your CMOS battery is dead, your computer will not be able to retain the date and time. The computer will also lose any custom settings, for example, the boot sequence. If you set a password in CMOS, you may be locked out of the computer. If the CMOS battery does fail, you might receive the message “System Configuration Lost” when you start the computer. It would be wise to record all the CMOS settings as a precaution.
To record the CMOS settings, watch for an on-screen prompt when you first start your computer. The prompt tells you to press a key, usually the Del or F2, to enter CMOS. To enter the CMOS configuration utility, you have to press the indicated key while the message is on the screen. After the CMOS configuration screen appears, follow the instructions provided to page through all the screens and record all the settings.
If your computer loses its time setting overnight, the CMOS battery may not be holding a charge. The CMOS battery is located inside the case on the motherboard. Changing the battery is usually a job for a computer technician. In fact, a layman might not even be able to find the battery.
If you want to locate the CMOS battery in your computer, be aware that a static discharge from your hands can damage components inside the case. After taking proper precautions, open the case and look on the motherboard for a battery. If you have a diagram of your motherboard, locate the battery on the diagram first.
Different motherboards use different types of batteries. The battery may be shaped like a barrel or a coin. Some motherboards use a component that resembles a chip which contains the CMOS and the battery (made by DALLAS or Benchmarq). Batteries come in different voltages, so make sure you get an exact replacement.
Sometimes the battery is mounted in a holder. Sometimes it is soldered to the motherboard. De-soldering and re-soldering a battery is usually a job for a computer technician. An inexperienced solderer can cause a lot of damage. If you want to try to do it yourself, first practice on an obsolete circuit board. You may change your mind.
If the CMOS battery has failed because it’s too old, this might be an opportunity to upgrade your motherboard. When upgrading a motherboard, the most important considerations are to make sure the new motherboard is the correct form factor for your case, and that the new motherboard has the correct bus connector slots for your expansion boards.
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Computer Components February 13, 2025

Customized RF Spectrum Analyzer

Customized RF Spectrum Analyzer

Radio frequency analyzer is technically necessary as measuring tool. For electronic enthusiasts inclined to this specialized analysis of signals and frequencies, having rf spectum analyzer is one of the most wanted device for collection, just like the need for having oscilloscope for amateur and professional use. The question is: would you rather have a customized assembled rf spectrum analyzer or would you avail commercially available ones?

When it comes to rf frequency analyzers, there is no simplicity not directly proportional to the cost. The varying designs could mean a lot to the convenience of the user as far as function is concerned. Special IC chips are integrated to ease up the technology of rf frequency analyzers.

A good one must include the important elements necessary like amplifier, mixers and the visual display. It has the commercial requirement to read range of regions from 50khz to 70 khz, plus the capability to go through VHF and UHF. But above all of the most important aspect, it should produce accurate results. This is what makes acquiring spectrum analyzer critical.

Making your own customized RF frequency analyzer is the best solution for serious use. Nowadays, the equipment can be integrated to computer to save cost. The most expensive consideration is the display screen, which can be substituted by a computer monitor. It means, when computers are used in designing personalized RF analyzer, it is dealing with digital setup. With the visual capacity and accuracy of computers, the task is always better.

Analog RF spectrum analyzers still work well, but in the advent of modernity its components are replaced by IC (integrated circuits), making the assembly compact and rigid. Computer programmers and analysts can compile programs especially for this purpose.

The advantage of creating your own RF spectrum analyzer is already becoming popular even in the Internet. There is even an option to combine the analyzer with built-in oscilloscope as two powerful tools in one assembly. Doing this combination is not impossible. In fact, other customized add-ons can be achieved, aside from manipulating desired dynamic frequency ranges. It only takes the right diagram and knowledge to make it a goal.

Experimenters are more interested in using their skills with the help of a computer programmer to expand the capacity of their personalized RF spectrum analyzer. Even when computers get updated faster, the assembled kit will not be affected for quite a while. It will be at one’s discretion to adjust and make his equipment updated.

Computer Components February 7, 2025

64-Bit Operating System

64-Bit Operating System

The 64-bit operating system is one that is capable of storing information in memory that is at least 64 bits or 8 bytes wide. They are also based on registers, address buses, or data buses of that same size. A bus is a subsystem that transfers data or power between computer components inside a computer or between computers. The bus is controlled by a device driver similar to those that control outside peripherals like a mouse or printer.

64-bit CPUs have existed in super computers since the 1960’s and work stations and servers since the 1990’s. While this architecture has been around for awhile, 64-bit operating systems are relatively new concepts in the computer world. Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X Tiger are all 64-bit operating systems.

The advantages to 64-bit operating systems are far-reaching. They are more powerful and more reliable than the 32-bit systems. The 64-bit operating system can address more memory directly without using complex indexing or register-addressing schemes. Because internal memory is several orders of magnitude faster than storage, combining a 64-bit processing architecture with more RAM lets a processor pull more data into memory and operate on it directly, increasing performance manifold.
A 64-bit file system also can improve disk management. Rather than having to take a large disk, such as a 9 GB storage module, and segmenting it into 32-bit addressable chunks (2 GB each), you can address the entire disk. That can help, for example, both in database performance and the performance of the operating system itself.
64-bit operating systems are great for user who need to access very large data stores. The system is valuable in industries such as CAD (computer aided drafting), science and engineering, human resources, and financial modeling. Users working with these computer-intensive applications will probably see immediate improvement with 64-bit machines over 32-bit machines running at the same clock rate and with similar memory configurations.

There is a simple analogy that can help explain the difference between a 32-bit operating system and a 64-bit operating system. A 32-bit addressing environment can keep track of the name and address of every person who has lived in the United States since 1997. A 64-bit environment can keep track of the name and address of every person who has every lived in the world from the beginning of time. That’s a powerful system!

The advent of the 64-bit operating system is technology that has been sorely needed for some time. Users notice a marked improvement in performance, storage, and much more with these new, powerful 64-bit operating systems.