Buying a Computer Motherboard

Buying a

Computer Motherboard.

Kenilworth Computer Repairs Mobile Computer Maintenance, Repair, and I.T Desktop Support Services for Kenilworth, Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby, Stratford on Avon, Coventry, Solihull and environs.

What is a Motherboard / Mainboard ?

The motherboard or mainboard is the heart of your computer. It is the 'brain' where all the processing is handled for running applications, browsing the internet or sending and receiving emails.

How do I know the best Motherboard to buy ?

There are lots and lots of motherbards in the marketplace today ranging in price from a few tens of pounds up to several hundred pounds for some top-end models. All motherboards will have the same basic features, that is to say connections and sockets USB devices, Networking, Video and Sound. Computer Solutions will be happy to advise on what is best for your particular requirements.

Popular Makes

Motherboard manufacturers are constantly bringing out new models to support the latest range of processors and memory. Basically motherboards fall into two broad categories. these are Intel motherboards that support Intel's range of processors and AMD which support AMD's range of processors. The two are not interchangeable. You cannot use an Intel processor in an AMD motherboard and vice-versa. 

Popular makes to look out for are ASUS and Gigabyte. For the budget conscious Asrock do some less expensive motherboards.

Motherboard Features

Almost all motherboards today should have sockets for the DDR3 memory type. This has now superseded the DDR2 memory type popular 3 or 4 years ago. Your motherboard should also have at least two SATA hard drive sockets as these hav also superseded the older IDE hard drive sockets.

For those motherboards that do not have a build in video socket the standard is now PCI-X, which looks like a jumbo PCI socket. Most manufacturers are now ONLY providing PCI-X sockets rather than 3 or 4 standard PCI sockets of a couple of years ago. Some budget, cheaper motherboards do have a built in VGA video socket. This is a 15 pin connector ro which your monitor is attached.

As a minimum your motherboard should at least be capable of normal stereo sound output usually via a 3.5mm mini jack socket, as well as a microphone input and aline output socket too. Many motherboards today have surround sound features as standard.

Higher end motherboards will usually have built in HD-Video sockets to or multiple networking sockets, which can be used together. Sometimes on-board wireless adapters are also included. Expect to pay more for these features though.

Buying A Processor & Motherboard Together

This is undoubtedly one of the best options buying both the processor, motherboard and sometimes the memory as a bundle can result in a saving and you know that everything is going to work together as intended. But beware of extremely cheap deals as these are usually based on stock that the retailer is finding it difficult to sell.

Cost & budget

With all motherboards it really comes down to which features you would like and what budget you have available to spend. For most people, browsing the Internet or working from home, the basic motherboards will suffice. However if you are a "die-hard" gamer or software developer then a more expensive motherboard, wit some degree of "future-proofing" might be suitable.  

Computer Solutions are always happy to advise you in this respect.

Click here to download your FREE Windows 7 Boot Disks

Kenilworth Computer Repairs News mobile PC repair service Kenilworth FoxPro or Visual FoxPro language Testimonials Stratford, Warwick Computer Repair Services computer repair service. Solihull Home Links Computer Services Rugby Operating Systems Areas covered P.C Maintenance Email Us Coventry Where are we? Click here to download your FREE Windows 7 Boot Disks Upgrade or New? Leamington Spa Tweet Hardware & Software Computer Repairs www.kenilworthcomputerrepairs.com

Differences between Intel & AMD Processors

This video will help you decide which processor is best for you and hopefully explain the differences between Intel & AMD Processors

Courtesy of Computer Solutions
Follow us on Twitter @KenilworthComps

Beware of "No Fix No Fee" Offers !

Beware of "No Fix No Fee" Offers !

15th Feb 2012

There are a several computer repair companies who offer something called a "No-Fix No-Fee" computer repair service. This is supposed to mean that if they cannot fix it then you won't be charged and generally speaking this is true but it really depends on how you define the word "Fix".

Professional computer repair companies will usually charge an "inspection fee" to diagnose what the problem might be. This is sometimes called a "Bench Fee" and will be a minimal charge for the engineers time. Quite simply because once the problem is properly diagnosed, the customer is free to choose whether to proceed or not. Most do, but equally many choose not to to proceed.

On a "no-fix no-fee" basis the engineer is then out of pocket. and effectively provided his or her knowledge and experience for free.

There are many different types of computer problem that can be caused by a number of different things, that can occur and most people would expect to pay for diagnosis and repair. A lot of system file damage can be done by certain viruses for example.

If someone has had their computer for some time, they will probably have it looking and running exactly the way they want it. To the customer the word "Fix" means that they want their computer exactly as it was previously. They want their emails and documents in the right place and they want all their installed software working, together with all the necessary driver software.

To a lot of PC engineers the word "Fix" means "Can this computer boot Windows and does the customer still have their data ?" This does not necessarily resolve the problem that caused the error in the first place. The error will therefore most likely happen again at some other point in the future, probably when you least expect it.

A good competent PC engineer will do a couple of simple checks to try and eliminate this possibility. First they will check the date stamp on the hard drive unit itself, fitted inside the machine. If it is more than about 5-6 years old then it is probably time for it to be replaced. Hard drives being mechanical do wear out with age. They will also advise on whether repair is economically viable based on your requirements. Computer Solutions always carry out these basic checks and advise accordingly

If the problem is motherboard related then these can sometimes be repaired, although it can be expensive. and prices of new desktop motherboard's start quite low.

Laptop motherboards are however quite a different matter. This type of repair will never usually be carried out on site, as the machine will have to be dismantled and will require specialist attention.

So no-fix no-fee is really dependent on how you define the word "fix" and can the suggested repair be proven for long enough to call it a "fix".

In short be careful with "No-Fix No Fee" as your definition of a fix and your expectations may be wildly different from the service you actually receive.

As the old saying goes "There really is no such thing as a free lunch !"

Computer Solutions Mobile Rapid Response to PC Problems

Computer Solutions

Mobile Rapid Response to PC Problems

So it's that time of year again when you are thinking of buying that brand new laptop for Uncle Jeff at Christmas, or the kids are pestering you for the latest computer game.

Don't forget that when all the presents have been opened, the turkey has been consumed and red wine has been spilled all over the computer, Computer Solutions will be here to put things right.

Computer Solutions have just taken delivery of their new "Rapid Response Vehicle" so now they can get to you more quickly than ever over the Christmas period, to take care of all those computer mishaps and emergencies.

Based in Warwickshire Computer Solutions have been in operation since 1988 and specialize in hardware & software sales, experienced technical support and repairs, Website creation and SEO as well as software development using some of the most up to date tools available.

They can handle anything from a simple home network with a couple of computers, right up to the more ambitious business type networks. They can even provide new network installations from initial planning through to cabling and server deployment.

They operate a full seven days service and are open over the weekend too. Bookings are taken from 9am to 9pm, except Christmas day. Even busy people like us need a rest sometimes !

Over the years Computer Solutions have built up a strong following and many of thier customers have been using them for several years, because they know they get good straight no-nonsense service and real unbiased advice.

Look out for the Computer Solutions Rapid Response Vehicle in your street soon. For more information and guidance and friendly advice why not visit their website at www.kenilworthcomputerrepairs.com ?

AVG Mac Coming Soon

Available soon from Computer Solutions

You probably already knew that Computer Solutions are proud to be an authorized AVG Antivirus Reseller, but what you did not know is that AVG are said to be in the process of developing a product for all those Mac users specifically to run directly under Mac OS. We are told that it will be a proper DMG format application ready to run.

We have often heard Mac users say that viruses don't affect them and that this has something to do with the disk format etc etc. Unfortunately the truth is somewhat more mundane. The only reason that Mac's do not get attacked as much as PC's is quite simply that there are less Mac users and therefore it is not as lucrative for the hacker, yes folks there is money in attacking your computer !

Having said that, AVG (UK) Ltd, the top Antivirus Company with their global headquarters in Newark, Nottinghamshire are apparently in the process of releasing a version of their award winning Antivirus system for Mac users.

New Server installed at interfloor (UK) Ltd

New Server installed 
at Interfloor (UK) Ltd
 
by Computer Solutions & GSS Systems.

Computer Solutions are proud to announce that in association with local company GSS Systems, they have just installed a new server for the national leading flooring distributor, Gulfstone Ltd, based on the Heathcote Industrial Est, near Warwick.

 

The server, a quad core Intel Xeon system with 8 Gb memory, twin 500Gb RAID hard drive system and running Microsoft Small Business Server and Sage Order Processing software, will process the company's orders, as they are received from around the country. 

The server will also process orders received from the new recently opened showroom at Coten End in Warwick, as featured on Touch FM in Warwickshire.

Computer Solutions who in association with GSS Systems have provided the hardware and software. The specialist Sage training has been provided by Sheila Bell at Swann Systems in Rugby.

Visual FoxPro Services

from Computer Solutions

Did you know that Computer Solutions have expertise in FoxPro and Visual FoxPro for well over 20 years ?

In fact Foxpro was one of the first database languages that we developed software in and the solid strength of its legacy userbase can only be testament to how good the language was.

Although Visual FoxPro is no longer supported by Microsoft, there are plenty of excellent applications in a multitude of different environments out there that often require support, maintenance or modification.

Computer Solutions can supply Foxpro and Visual Foxpro programming expertise on a contracted daily, weekly or monthly basis and are capable or working within most environments.

SEO Web Services From Computer Solutions

SEO Web Services

From Computer Solutions

Computer Solutions also specialize in S.E.O Website Optimization and Search Engine Placement. It is a sad fact that most people get a website deigned and then forget about actually promoting it.

Just designing a £99 website from a stock template will give you a "shopfront" and a few pages but on its own it is not enough, and the chances of being seen are probably pretty well zero.

Good SEO depends on a number of factors, which by themselves might be incrementally small but taken together can make a huge difference to your online presence and your search engine placement on the major search engines.

The web is a hugely competitive area, so making sure that it is YOUR website that gets noticed is vital to your success.

For a small monthly fee Computer Solutions can provide a fully featured S.E.O service including various PR, web optimization and content strategies. This will help your overall search engine ranking, on many of the popular search engines including Google.

Replacement Laptop Adapters from Computer Solutions

Replacement Laptop Adapters from
Computer Solutions

It seems that Laptop Adapters do tend to suffer quite a bit of punishment these days. If they have not overheated and failed from being left on whilst in use, then the power cables have become worn and frayed, This can lead to the battery not charging, shorting, a faulty connection or worse still a possible fire hazard.

When the laptop battery becomes worn, many people choose to use their laptop with it permanently connected to the mains, rather than purchasing a new battery.

This does two things, Firstly it heats the laptop battery, which in effect "cooks it". Lithium batteries do not like being cooked and have to be both charged and handled in a totally different way to conventional rechargable batteries.

Secondly, using the laptop in this way causes the power unit to try and deliver more charging power than it can safely do so. This will eventually cause the power unit to fail through overheating, if the battery is in poor condition.

Computer Solutions can now supply laptop power adapters for most of the popular makes of laptop including HP, Dell and Acer.

All adapters are usually available at 24 hours notice andf both compatible and original units are available. the compatible units look and work exactly the same as the original ones but represent a less expensive option.

Contact us now with your make and model of laptop for an up tyo date price and remember if you live in Warwickshire then the price includes same day delivery.

Welcome to Computer Solutions.

Welcome to Computer Solutions. We provide a mobile PC and Laptop maintenance and repair service serving Kenilworth, Warwick, Rugby, Leamington Spa, Coventry, Stratford, Solihull and the surrounding area.
Operating a 7 day service, our mobile technicians, will be pleased to assist you with all your IT requirements. Our mobile service will give a total PC support, maintenance and repair service.
Computer Solutions have been established for 23 years and aim for customer satisfaction and work to the highest standards. Contact hours are from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday.
Computer Solutions are the only people to solve your PC problems. Whether laptop, desktop or Apple Mac, our repair, maintenance and support service provides a swift response to PC emergencies
Why not see what our P.C maintenance and repair service can do for you. we'll be able to keep your P.C or laptop perfectly maintained all year round. See our testimonials to find out what some of our customers think of our service.