Computer RAM

Computer RAM (random access memory) is a volatile data storage device. It is used by the computer to temporarily store data. When the computer is turned off all the data stored on the computer memory is lost.


The words 'random access memory' refers to the fact that any byte of data can be accessed directly by the computer instead of it searching in order till it finds it (such as in a cassette tape).


RAM operates at very fast speeds and is crucial to the health of a computer. RAM was measured in ns (nanoseconds) which equals one billionth of a second but with the introduction of SDRAM is now measured in MHz (megahertz).


Computer memory (RAM) is placed into the memory slots of a motherboard meaning that it is easy to upgrade or swap if the memory breaks. Computer memory is needed for everything so it is important to have enough.
Types of RAM
There are two basic types of RAM: Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and Static RAM (SRAM). Dynamic RAM is the more common and needs to refreshed thousands of times per second. Static RAM does not need to be refreshed making a lot faster but also much more expensive.


To find out more information about the different types of RAM click on the type of RAM below that you want to learn about.








What does RAM do?
Operating systems, application programs such as Microsoft word, Firefox or a game program are kept in the RAM so as to be quickly accessed by the CPU. Computer RAM is much faster then other storage devices but it will lose all its information when the computer is switched off. When you turn your computer on again then the information is loaded from the hard drive or CD drive back to the RAM and the process begins again.

Computer Motherboards

Computer Motherboards are an important part of the computer.


Definition of a motherboard: 

A motherboard is the mother to all the computer parts. In other words, everything in a computer connects to the motherboard.


This page links to some valuable motherboard articles. These articles explain what a motherboard is, and how to choose a motherboard and it also links to some motherboard reviews. You can add your own review and even buy a motherboard.

PROCESSOR

A computer cpu is the brain that runs a computer. CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the core chip to a computer. It is placed in the cpu socket and from here it forms an electrical interface with the motherboard. A CPU is the most important part in a computer.

Whenever people talk and brag about their computer they always talk about their CPU first. They say, 'its a Pentium 4, 3.0 Ghz' or 'its a Q6600, Quad Core beast'. Whenever minimum requirements are mentioned on the back of software packages, the CPU processor is the most important piece of information.No matter how much RAM (Random Access Memory) or Hard Drive space you have, the CPU dictates whether the program will run on the computer or not.

Modern processors have millions of transistors placed onto the little square which is called a die. The CPU is responsible for processing codes and instructions through to the motherboard which sends the information through to the graphics card where it then travels to your monitor and then appears on your screen.

AMD, Cyrix and Intel are the major CPU manufacturers. Intel released the first CPU processor which was the 4004 in the year of 1971. It ran at 740kHz (740,000 hertz) compared to the more modern computers that can run up to 3Ghz (3,000,000,000 hertz).


Intel just released the new i7 CPUs. I have just reviewed the best of the lot the: Intel Core i7 965 Extreme Edition Processors. Be sure to check it out!


A computer CPU is measured in megahertz (Mhz) and more recently gigahertz (Ghz). This is generally called the clock speed of the CPU. The higher the amount ofhertz the greater amounts of cycles can be completed and more information will be processed. However, along with faster processors comes more heat and thus bigger and better fans have been placed onto CPUs to keep them cooler.However it is important to understand that megahertz and gigahertz are not the only way to define how good a CPU is. Read this article on the megahertz myth and understand what I am talking about or learn how to choose a CPU with this article.Have any questions on CPUs and Processors? Go to my new forum and post your question there?

WhatsApp

How to Use WhatsApp

WhatsApp, a play on the casual greeting "what's up?", is an ad-free mobile messaging app that allows users to exchange text and media messages through their Internet data plan or through Wi-Fi. Users do not have to pay for SMS. Once you start using WhatsApp to connect with your friends, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

Steps

Download WhatsApp for your phone. The app is available on its website and in the iTunes App Store and Android Marketplace.
WhatsApp does not sell advertising so users have a clean messaging experience, but that means that they charge a small fee for using the app. iPhone users pay $1.99 to download the app, while other phones can download the app and enjoy a one-year trial for free. After that, there is a $0.99 subscription fee for using WhatsApp.

Launch the app from your smartphone. Follow the onscreen prompts to create a WhatsApp account that will be linked to your phone number. Allow WhatsApp to sync with your Contacts to message people you know with ease.


Manage your Favorites. Once in your account, you will see all of your contacts who already have a WhatsApp account on the "Favorites" tab. Keeping this list will allow you to know who has WhatsApp, but it may be too cluttered if you want to access a few frequent contacts with ease.
You can tap "Edit" in the top left corner and then "Delete All" to clear the list and start from scratch, or toggle the red delete switch next to each name to delete people individually.

You can still see your contacts in the "Contacts" tab (middle button of the navigation bar). Contacts who have WhatsApp will have their statuses displayed underneath their name. If you tap on a contact, you will also know if they have WhatsApp because it will give you the option to "Message <name>" instead of "Invite <name> to WhatsApp."


Change your status. Tap "Status" in the bottom horizontal navigation bar. Tap the "+" in the top right corner to add a new custom status.
You can edit your current status by tapping the button under "Your current status is:" or selecting a default or previous status from the list below.

If you'd like to clear your statuses, tap "Edit" in the top left corner to delete them individually or scroll down and tap "Clear Status" to delete them all.



Invite friends you'd like to message to use WhatsApp. Tap on the "Contacts" tab in the middle of the navigation bar. Find a contact and tap on it to view its details. Tap "Invite <name> to get WhatsApp" to send them an SMS invitation to download the app.
If you use this option to invite a contact from another country, both of you may be subject to international SMS charges. You may want to send them an email to join WhatsApp instead. To do this, go to Settings >> Tell a Friend and then select the method of delivery.

In order to message a friend on WhatsApp, they must have been added into your phone's contacts. Ensure that their phone number has been entered into your address book accurately and that they have installed WhatsApp.



Start a chat. Tap "Chats" in the navigation bar. Tap the pencil icon in the top right corner and select a contact to start a new WhatsApp message with. You will be taken to a new chat window where you can type a message, or press the arrow icon (iPhone),menu icon (Blackberry) or paperclip icon (Android, Nokia, Windows Phone) to share your location, contact, photo, or video. You may also record a video or take a photo in realtime for sharing.
Underneath the recipient's name in the chat window, you can see their last seen time, which is the last time they closed WhatsApp or lost Internet connection. You'll also see whether they're online, which means they have WhatsApp open and are connected to the Internet.

To start a new Group message, tap the "New Group" button underneath the pencil icon (iPhone) or tap the menu/options button and find "New Group" (Blackberry, Android, Nokia, Windows Phone). In the subject field, type a name for the group chat and add participants right underneath. You will also be able to select a picture for your group.


Wait for your message to be delivered to your friend's phone. One checkmark next to your message means that it was delivered to the server, and two checkmarks mean that it was delivered to the recipient's device.


Manage your chats. Tap "Chats" in the navigation bar. You'll see a list of all of your WhatsApp conversations with individual users and groups. Tap on one to continue a conversation or to read an old one.


Change your settings. Tap the "Settings" icon in the navigation bar.
To edit your name or profile picture, tap "Profile."

To edit your font size, chat wallpaper, message timestamp settings, download settings, tap "Chat Settings."

To block users from contacting you, tap "Chat Settings" and then "Block." You will see a list of contacts you have blocked underneath. Blocked contacts can see your statuses, though not your "last seen" timestamps or online availability, and they will not be able to send you messages. To know whether someone has blocked you,click here.

To turn off your "last seen" timestamp, tap "Chat Settings" and then toggle the switch next to "Message Timestamp". This means that other users will not know the last time you signed off.