Tag: upgrade

Computing Longevity – Upgrading CPUs and Assessing Alternatives

Xeon W3690 CPU

For a while now I have been tempted to replace my desktop computer with new hardware. I originally built my current desktop back in the middle of 2009 with the following specifications: Intel Core i7 920, 12GB DDR3 RAM, 128GB Solid State Drive + 1TB Hard Disk Drive, 2 x nVidia GTX 295 video cards. Those specs …

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How to Install a Video Card

Well, when you are upgrading the video card in your desktop computer you need to know how the process works end-to-end. It does take a bit of time and care even for the seasoned veterans amongst us who have done it before or have usually built their own computers. There are numerous things to consider: …

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Register for Discounted Upgrades to Windows 8

While the tech heads and developers are getting a head start with Windows 8 as part of their MSDN and TechNet subscriptions the rest of the world will need to wait a little longer. However, for people who have bought computers since 02/06/2012 through 31/01/2013 these people can get a slice of the Windows 8 …

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How to Guide – Installing RAM

I’ve been meaning to get into some “how to guides” this year but found a great opportunity when upgrading the Windows Home Server last weekend. It’s my first one and while I covered everything that I thought was worth mentioning I am still working out the format for these videos. At any rate,  I cover some important …

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Rosetta Support Disappearing in Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion)

Just a heads up for those Mac OS X users out there that may be using older applications from the PowerPC days (so those G3 and G4 CPUs that powered the Powerbooks and other Apple machines of that generation) – Rosetta support is being removed from the upcoming Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) operating system. …

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Always Backup Before Upgrading

Just a simple but important concept for tonight. The title pretty much says it all but it is very surprising how many people take the risk of upgrading software of the operating system on their computer with the expectation that nothing will go wrong. In contrast, many businesses who take their IT environments seriously not …

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Whilst Upgrades Are Convenient Clean Installs Are Better

A quick one for this evening before I fly out to Hong Kong tomorrow morning. For many years, there have been the concept of “upgrade versions” of software (i.e. a mechanism to move up a version usually with the prerequisite of a prior, eligible version) and “full versions” of software (which has no such prerequisite). …

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Product Recalls – Worthwhile or Inconvenient?

A little while back, Dyson issued a safety notice regarding its DC05 Motorhead vacuum cleaner. In a nutshell, electrical contacts in the vacuum hose could be exposed as a result of cracking or detachment on the handle. As a sign of good will, Dyson offered customers two choices: Receive a replacement part free of charge, …

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