 Lately I have received a flood of readers’ questions. Some of them are great topics worth sharing with everyone. Possibly, you have been wondering about speeding up your computer, networking your computer, sharing an Internet connection, or adding more USB ports. If so, these answers should help you out.
Q. My computer seems to have slowed to a crawl; how can I speed it up?
A. First, make sure that you have enough hard disk space. Click on My Computer, then right- click on the C Drive and choose Properties. If your hard disk is almost full, you will have to delete programs and files to clean it up. Running a utility called Disk Defragmenter on a regular basis will also speed up your computer. Find it by clicking on Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter. Finally, if you have less than 256 MB Ram, adding more memory will also speed up your computer.
Q. What is an Ethernet card and should I get one in my new computer?
A. An Ethernet card is used to connect an individual computer to a network. If you want to connect your computer to another computer in order to share files or a printer, you will need to purchase an Ethernet card with your new computer. An Ethernet card is also necessary if you want to use a cable or DSL Internet connection. If you do not purchase one initially and find that you need it in the future, there is no problem. You can easily add an Ethernet card. Using a USB Ethernet adapter even allows you to add an Ethernet connection later without having to open up your computer.
Q. Is it possible to share an Internet connection?
A. Yes. Sharing an Internet connection is easy if you have a Mac or use Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Me, Windows XP, or Windows 2000. Several computers can easily access the Internet at the same time using the same telephone line and Internet connection. Sharing a connection can save a considerable amount of money compared to using various separate Internet accounts and separate telephone lines. In order to share a connection, computers must be connected through some type of network. You can use the traditional network cabling, any of the new wireless networks, or even a new system that uses common electrical wiring to connect the computers.
Q. I love the ease of using USB ports to attach my printer and scanner to my computer. Now I want to attach a USB camera, but I have no available port. Can I add another USB port?
A. What you need is a USB hub. This is a small external unit that plugs into one of your USB ports. It expands the functionality of your USB port by adding extra ports. Most common hubs provide either four or seven ports. Not only can you add a camera, but you can also attach a Palm or Pocket PC, a USB Zip drive, and/or an MP3 player for a little musical entertainment.
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