Friday, June 28, 2013

How to Test Your CPU Cooling Fans

Newer computer processors are becoming more powerful and are generating more and more heat. So you must have adequate cooling in order to maintain the safety and performance of your system. Due to the importance of CPU cooling to your computer’s longevity and performance, a fully functional fan is recommended. You can make sure your fan is performing up to par according to this article. We will tell you some easy ways to check your CPU fan.
CPU Cooling Fans

                    

Things You Need

Web browser

CPU fan

Processor

Instructions

Physically checking your CPU fan

1. First you need to take off your computer's case so you can see the CPU fan.

2. Find out your motherboard’s instruction booklet and ensure your fan is plugged in to a power lead adequate for its needs.

3. Turn on your computer to see whether your fan is spinning. If your fan is not spinning, then turn your computer off immediately.

4. Unplug your processor's fan and plug it into another power lead. Find alternative power leads with your motherboard’s instruction book. Each motherboard is a little different, but they will generally be located immediately to the right of the processor.

5. Now, turn on your computer and confirm your fan is spinning.

Testing your fan’s functionality

1. Turn on your computer with the side of your case still removed.

2. Download a program named “Prime95 stress test.” This program will ensure your processor is working at 100% capacity.

3. Watch carefully at your fan when you run the stress test. If it begins to spin faster after the stress test has started, that means your fan is functioning properly.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Why Does My iPad Say Not Charging

Apple Company is very strict about licensing authorized iPad accessories. This policy is maintained by codes built into the hardware, which the iPad checks before agreeing to work with the peripheral.

                   
iPad
iPhone Power Adapter

The iPhone’s 10-Watt USB power adapter is rated at 1-amp, which is twice that of ordinary USB ports and most generic USB adapters. Depending on the level of the iPad’s battery, the iPhone power adapter will be enough to charge the iPad. Remember to turn off the ipad while charging, and it will take longer to achieve a full charge than the original charger.

USB Ports

Do not like the new computers, most computers, peripheral equipment such as printers and stereos and older USB ports only supply a 500 Milliamps (mA) current which isn’t enough to charge the iPad while it’s in use and the device with therefore display the “Not Charging” warning on the home screen. It will charge — albeit more slowly than with its high-powered own mains adapter — if it is switched off, however.

Generic USB Adapters

If using a generic USB adapter, it must still be confirmed compatible with the iPad in order to charge it. Check with the manufacturer that the adapter is indeed compatible with the iPad and that its current supply is no less that 1-amp. Usually, an iPad charger will be rated at a minimum of 2-amps. Sometimes, if the charger has not been authorized by Apple, it could be lacking the proper hardware compatibility codes and the iPad will refuse to charge, regardless of whether the charger can supply the required power levels, giving you the “Not Charging” warning.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Tips for Pitching a Tent

If the instructions are clear, the sun there is shining and the weather is cooperating, erecting a tent will not be too difficult. However, you need to know that often setting up a tent occurs in less-than-favorable conditions. Learning how to put up your tent before you ever go camping will ensure a wonderful and more successful camping trip.

                 
Tent


Things You Need

Tent

Stakes

Ground cloth or tarp

Mallet or hatchet

Hand-held whisk broom (optional)

Rake (optional)

Instructions

Practice Before Camping

1. You can practice with the tent in your back yard even in your living room. If you want to make erecting the tent at your campsite much easier, it is best to become fully familiar with the tent pitching steps. Even if you can’t drive the stakes into the carpeting, at least you’ll get a feel for how the rods pop together, which eyelets the stakes go into and how the rain-fly fits over the top.

2. You need to carefully read the instructions. First, lay out the tent flat, and then find where the opening is. Next, identify the correct rods and how to connect them properly. At last try to install them in the correct order. Skipping steps can cause accidental damage to your tent and make it more difficult to erect.

3. Practice taking down the tent, retracting the rods properly and folding the tent as compactly as possible.

4. Pack the tent, rods and stakes, together with the instructions, back in the tent bag to bring with you camping.

Setting Up At the Campsite

1. Usually people’s first trip with the tent will in daytime so that you can choose an appropriate campsite and see clearly what you are doing. First you need to select a site that is not in an indentation or valley. You do not want all of the water collecting under your tent if it is rains, right? Sweep or clear the tent site of rocks, branches and general detritus. Of course you do not want to sleep on those things. Look overhead for pine trees that may be dripping sap or dropping pine cones. Neither is good for your tent or your sleeping. Consider where you want your head and position the tent accordingly if there is a tilt to the site. (Consider bringing a small rake to clear the site of detritus before you pitch your tent. A small whisk broom is handy for sweeping debris that collects inside your tent.)

2. Place a ground cloth or tarp on the ground where the tent will go. Tuck the ground cloth under the tent edges once the tent is pitched. If the water collects on your ground cloth when it rains, then it’ll run under your tent and the bottom of your tent will get soaked.

3. Pitch the tent as you practiced at home. For some tents, it’s simpler to install the rods and pop up the tent before staking down the corners. With other tents, it’s easier to stake down the corners first before installing the rods to pop it up. The first method makes it easier to reposition the tent, if necessary.
4. When your tent is in the correct position, stake down it. Adjust the stakes so that they are positioned as far out as you can safely pull the tent. A taut tent will ensure you more space inside. Use the mallet or back side of a hatchet to pound down the stakes securely.

Tips & Warnings

If you don’t have access to a mallet or hatchet to pound in your stakes, a rock found at your site can also be used.

Consider replacing the aluminum stakes that come with your tent with lightweight but sturdy titanium ones.