Straight,Crossover cable and Rollover Cable

Common Ethernet network cables are straight, crossover cable and roll over. This Ethernet network cable is made of four pair high performance cable that consists twisted pair conductors that used for data transmission. Both end of cable is called RJ45 connector. The colour of wires are orangewhite,orange,greenwhite,green,bluewhite,blue,brownwhite,brown.
The cable can be categorized as Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6 UTP cable. Cat 5 UTP cable can support 10/100 Mbps Ethernet network, whereas Cat 5e and Cat 6 UTP cable can support Ethernet network running at 10/100/1000 Mbps. Cat 3 UTP cables are not popular anymore since it can only support 10 Mbps Ethernet network.
Straight,crossover cable and roll over can be Cat3, Cat 5, Cat 5e or Cat 6 UTP cable, the only difference is each type will have different wire arrangement in the cable for serving different purposes.

Straight Cable

You usually use straight cable to connect different type of devices. This type of cable will be used most of the time and can be used to:
1) Connect a computer to a switch/hub's normal port.

2) Connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port.

3) Connect a router's WAN port to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port.

4) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's uplink port. (normally used for expanding network).

5) Connect 2 switches/hubs with one of the switch/hub using an uplink port and the other one using normal port.
If you need to check how straight cable looks like, it's easy. Both side (side A and side B) of cable have wire arrangement with same color.

Crossover Cable

Sometimes you will use crossover cable, it's usually used to connect same type of devices. A crossover cable can be used to:
1) Connect 2 computers directly.

2) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's normal port. (normally used for expanding network).

3) Connect 2 switches/hubs by using normal port in both switches/hubs.
In you need to check how crossover cable looks like, both side (side A and side B) of cable have wire arrangement with following different color .

Roll Over Cable
This roll over cabling is just opposite to Straight Cabling

Side A Side B
Orange White Brown
Orange Brown White
Green White Green
Blue Blue White
Blue White Blue
Green Green White
Brown White Orange
Brown Orange White

Windows 7/Vista: Undock PC Icon Missing

This registry hack can bring back the missing Undock PC option to your Start menu.
1. Click the Start button and type regedit in the Start Search box.
2. Click the arrow next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER to expand the
Software>Microsoft>Windows>CurrentVersion>Policies>Explorer
3. Right-click a blank area on the right side and choose New > DWORD Value
4. Give the value a name of NoStartMenuEjectPC.
5. Give it a value of 0 to show the Undock PC option.
6.A value of 1 disables this feature.

***Instead of HKEY_CURRENT_USER, you might want to try HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE if you only have a default account in Windows. Use the same path for this setting.***

My Recent Documents History is Cleared / Deleted at Logoff - Start Menu

Windows XP My Recent Documents History located on the Start Menu is deleted when logging off an user account. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account's settings. The Group Policy for Clear history of recently opened documents on exit will cause My Recent Documents History to be deleted when logging off an user account when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, My Recent Documents History being deleted at logoff can be enforced by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the My Recent Documents History being deleted at logoff then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.Otherwise there is a chance for encrypting or hacking the windows may also cause this problem

Manual Steps For Group Policy Editor

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
4. Double-click Clear history of recently opened documents on exit.
5. Select Not Configured.

*** If the My Recent Documents History being cleared (deleted) at logoff on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.***
Manual Steps For Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   Right-click ClearRecentDocsOnExit to select Modify.
4. Change the value to 0.
   Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   Right-click ClearRecentDocsOnExit to select Modify.
5. Change the value to 0.
6. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***
Manual For Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
   Type:REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v ClearRecentDocsOnExit /t REG_DWORD /d 0
2. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v ClearRecentDocsOnExit /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

*** You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***

Wallpaper / Background Restricted - Display Properties

Windows XP Background area located in the Display Properties under the Desktop tab is restricted/disabled.The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Prevent changing wallpaper will cause the Background area to be restricted/disabled in Display Properties when enabled.
Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Background area can be restricted/disabled by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Background area is restricted/disabled from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware

Manual Steps For Group Policy Editor
***The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.***

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display
4. Double-click Prevent changing wallpaper.
5. Select Not Configured.

***If the Background area is restricted/disabled (greyed out) on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.***
Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
   Right-click {450D8FBA-AD25-11D0-98A8-0800361B1103} to select Modify.
4. Change the value to 0.
   Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop
   Right-click NoChangingWallPaper to select Modify.
5. Change the value to 0.
6. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***
Manual Steps For REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type:REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop" /v NoChangingWallPaper /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop" /v NoChangingWallPaper /t REG_DWORD /d 0
4. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
5. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. *** You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.

Theme Tab Missing - Display Properties

Windows XP Theme tab is missing from the Display Properties. The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Remove Theme option will cause the Theme tab to be removed from Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Theme tab can be removed these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Theme tab is missing from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

Manual Steps for Group Policy Editor
***The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.***

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display > Desktop Themes
4. Double-click Remove Theme option.
5. Select Not Configured.

***If the Theme tab is missing on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.***
Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   Right-click NoThemesTab to select Modify.
   Change the value to 0.
   Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
   Right-click NoThemesTab to select Modify.
5. Change the value to 0.
6. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***
Manual Steps for REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type:REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoThemesTab /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer" /v NoThemesTab /t REG_DWORD /d 0
5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***

Disable/Enable start menu

Disabling start menu is a way of hacking windows XP.Before editing you must be aware of basic knowledge in computer.It is an easy way that is explained in step by step
Click START–>RUN and type REGEDIT. Click OK.
Click the plus sign next to HKEY_CURRENT_USERthen SOFTWAREthen Microsoftthen Windowsthen CurrentVersionthen Policiesthen Explorer
Double-click on NoSimpleStartMenu if it exists.
If it doesn’t, right-click on ADVANCED and Select NEW–>DWORD VALUE and name it NoSimpleStartMenu
Set this value to 1 to disable the XP menu.
This setting will permanently disable the Windows XP style Start Menu unles the policy or registry is changed.

Settings Tab Missing - Display Properties

Windows XP Settings tab is missing from the Display Properties. This because of the malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Hide Settings tab will cause the Settings tab to be removed from Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Settings tab can be removed these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. For a home user and the Settings tab is missing from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

Manual Steps forGroup Policy Editor
***The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry way to remove the Group Policy restriction.***

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display
5. Double-click Hide Settings tab.
6. Select Not Configured.

***If the Settings tab is missing on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.***

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
   Right-click NoDispSettingsPage to select Modify.
4. Change the value to 0.
5. Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
   Right-click NoDispSettingsPage to select Modify.
6. Change the value to 0.
7. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***
Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.
   Type:REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispSettingsPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0
2. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispSettingsPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***

Screen Saver Timeout Restricted - Display Properties

Windows XP Screen saver timeout numeric box located in the Display Properties under the Screen Saver tab is restricted/disabled .The most likely cause of this is malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Screen Saver timeout will cause the Screen saver timeout numeric box to be restricted/disabled in Display Properties when enabled.

Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, Screen saver timeout numeric box can be restricted/disabled by these Group Policies but usually malware is the culprit. If you are a home user and the Screen saver timeout numeric box is restricted/disabled from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance you are infected with malware.

Manual Steps : Using Group Policy Editor
NOTE: The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy restriction.

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display
5. Double-click Screen Saver Timeout.
6. Select Not Configured.
   
7. *** If the Screen saver timeout numeric box is restricted/disabled on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy. ***

Manual Steps : Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.
2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop
   Right-click ScreenSaveTimeOut to select Delete.
4. Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop
   Right-click ScreenSaveTimeOut to select Delete.
5. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).

*** You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***
Manual Steps : Using REG DELETE

1. Open a Command Window.
2. Type:REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop" /v ScreenSaveTimeOut /f
3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
   Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Control Panel\Desktop" /v ScreenSaveTimeOut /f
4. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
5. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.

Network Cable Types

A network is defined as two or more computers linked together for the purpose of communicating and sharing information and other resources. Most networks are constructed around a cable connection that links the computers. This connection permits the computers to talk or to send message or to transmit data (and listen) through a wire.

Types of Networking Cables:
The three main types of networking cables are coaxial cable, twisted-pair cable and fiber optic cable.

Coaxial Cable:
Coaxial cable is made of two conductors that share the same axis; the center is a copper wire that is insulated by a plastic coating and then wrapped with an outer conductor (usually a wire braid). This outer conductor around the insulation serves as electrical shielding for the signal being carried by the inner conductor. A tough insulating plastic tube outside the outer conductor provides physical and electrical protection. At one time, coaxial cable was the most widely used network cabling. However, with improvements and the lower cost of twisted-pair cables, it has lost its popularity.

There are two types of coaxial cable.

• ThickNet



• ThinNet

ThickNet:
ThickNet is about .38 inches in diameter. This makes it a better conductor, and it can carry a signal about 1640 feet (500 meters) before signal strength begins to suffer. The disadvantage of ThickNet over ThinNet is that it is more difficult to work with. The ThickNet version is also known as standard Ethernet cable.
ThinNet:
ThinNet is the easiest to use. It is about .25 inches in diameter, making it flexible and easy to work with (it is similar to the material commonly used for cable TV). ThinNet can carry a signal about 605 feet (185 meters) before signal strength begins to suffer.

Name Description Type Segment Speed
10Base2 ThinNet Coaxial 185 meters 10 Mbps
10Base5 ThickNet Coaxial 500 meters 10 Mbps

Coaxial cable can only be used with a BNC (bayonet-Neill-Concelman) connector.

Twisted-Pair Cable:
Twisted-pair cable consists of two insulated strands of copper wire twisted around each other to form a pair. One or more twisted pairs are used in a twisted-pair cable. The purpose of twisting the wires is to eliminate electrical interference from other wires and outside sources such as motors. Twisting the wires cancels any electrical noise from the adjacent pair. The more twists per linear foot, the greater the effect.
There are two types of twisted pair cable.

• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)


• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
  

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP):

The only difference between STP and UTP is that STP has a foil or wire braid wrapped around the individual wires of the pairs. The shielding is designed to minimize EMI radiation and susceptibility to crosstalk. The STP cable uses a woven-copper braided jacket, which is a higher-quality, more protective jacket than UTP.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):
As the name implies, "unshielded twisted pair" (UTP) cabling is twisted pair cabling that contains no shielding. UTP cables can be divided further into following categories:

Category 1:-Traditional telephone cable. Carries voice but not data
Category 2:-Certified UTP for data transmission of up to 4 megabits per second (Mbps). It has four twisted pairs
Category 3:-Certified UTP for data transmission of up to 10 Mbps. It has four twisted pairs
Category 4:-Certified UTP for data transmission of up to 16 Mbps. It has four twisted pairs
Category 5:-Certified for data transmission of up to 100 Mbps. It has four twisted pairs of copper wire
Category 6:-Offers transmission speeds up to 155 Mbps
Category 7:-Category 7 is a proposed standard that aims to support transmission at frequencies up to 600 MHz

Twisted-pair cable has several advantages over other types of cable (coaxial and fiberoptic): It is readily available, easy to install, and inexpensive. Among its disadvantages are its sensitivity to electromagnetic interference (EMI), its susceptibility to eavesdropping, its lack of support for communication at distances of greater than 100 feet, and its requirement of a hub (multiple network connection point) if it is to be used with more than two computers. Twisted pair cables use RJ45 connector.

Name Description Type Segment Speed
10BaseT 100BaseT UTP .5 to 100 meters 10 Mbps
100BaseT common Twisted-pair .5 to 100 meters 100 Mbps

Fiber optic Cable:
Fiberoptic cable is made of light-conducting glass or plastic fibers. It can carry data signals in the form of modulated pulses of light. The plastic-core cables are easier to install but do not carry signals as far as glass-core cables. Multiple fiber cores can be bundled in the center of the protective tubing.
When both material and installation costs are taken into account, fiberoptic cable can prove to be no more expensive than twisted-pair or coaxial cable. Fiber has some advantages over copper wire: It is immune to EMI and detection outside the cable and provides a reliable and secure transmission media. It also supports very high bandwidths (the amount of information the cable can carry), so it can handle thousands of times more data than twisted-pair or coaxial cable.Cable lengths can run from .25 to 2.0 kilometers depending on the fiberoptic cable and network. If you need to network multiple buildings, this should be the cable of choice. Fiberoptic cable systems require the use of fiber-compatible NICs.

Screen Saver Tab Missing - Display Properties

Windows XP Screen Saver tab is missing from the Display Properties.
This is because of the malware utilizing Group Policy Objects which enforces policies for system settings and/or user account(s) settings. The Group Policy for Hide Screen Saver tab will cause the Screen Saver tab to be removed from Display Properties when enabled.
Group Policies are typically applied at businesses to control access to programs, system properties, and user account settings. For Home users, the Screen Saver tab can be restricted (removed) by enforcing Group Policies but malware on your computer is usually the culprit. If you are a home user and the Screen Saver tab is missing from the Display Properties and looks like the pictures below then there is a good chance the computer you were using is infected with malware.

Manual Steps Using Group Policy Editor
The Group Policy Editor requires Administrative privileges and is only available for Windows XP Professional Edition. Windows XP Home users can use the Windows XP Registry method to remove the Group Policy.

1. Click Start and then Run.


2. Type gpedit.msc in the Run dialog box.


3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.


4. In the Group Policy Editor navigate to:User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel > Display


5. Double-click Hide Screen Saver tab.


6. Select Not Configured.
   ***If the Screen Saver tab is missing on a per User account basis then the above method will not work, you will need to use the Registry Editor to remove the Group Policy.***

Manual Steps Using Windows XP Registry

1. Click Start and then Run.


2. Type regedit.exe in the Run dialog box.


3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.


4. Navigate to:HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
   Right-click NoDispScrSavPage to select Modify.


5. Change the value to 0.


6. Navigate to:HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
   Right-click NoDispScrSavPage to select Modify.


7. Change the value to 0.


8. Quit the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
   *** You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect.***

Manual Steps Using REG ADD

1. Open a Command Window.


2. Type:REG ADD "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispScrSavPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0


3. Press ENTER on your keyboard.


4. Type:REG ADD "HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" /v NoDispScrSavPage /t REG_DWORD /d 0
5. Press ENTER on your keyboard.


6. Type EXIT and press ENTER on your keyboard.
   ***You may need to log off then log on to your user account or restart your computer for the changes to take affect. ***

Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology can be defined as “Hyper-Threading Technology (HT Technology) is a ground breaking technology that boosts computing performance to keep pace with today's applications and operating systems. HT Technology enables a single processor to function as two "virtual" processors by executing two threads in parallel, allowing you and your software to multi-task more effectively than ever before”.
Intel has introduced Hyper Threading technology for pentium 4 processors.
Hyper-Threading (HT) Technology is available on notebook, desktop, server, and workstation systems. Hyper-Threading Technology requires a computer system with an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology and an HT Technology enabled chipset, BIOS and operating system. Performance will vary depending on the specific hardware and software you use.
Here is a list of Intel Pentium 4 processors that support hyper threading technology.
For Hyper-Threading technology to work, you should have the Intel processor, Intel chipset (motherboard) BIOS configuration enabled, and an OS that is optimized for the HT technology.

Hyper-Threading Supportable Intel Processors:

The following Intel processors support the HT technology.
Intel® Pentium® 4 processor Extreme Edition
1066 MHz system bus: 3.46 GHz
800 MHz system bus: 3.40 GHz, 3.20 GHz

Intel® Pentium® 4 processors
800 MHz system bus: 3.80 GHz, 3.60 GHz, 3.40E GHz, 3.40 GHz, 3.20E GHz, 3.20 GHz, 3E GHz, 3, 2.80E GHz, 2.80C GHz, 2.60C GHz, 2.40C GHz
533 MHz system bus: 3.06 GHz

Mobile Intel® Pentium® 4 processors
533 MHz system bus: 3.33 GHz, 3.20 GHz, 3.06 GHz, 2.80 GHz, 2.66 GHz

Intel® Xeon™ processor
800 MHz system bus: 3.60 GHz, 3.40 GHz, 3.20 GHz, 3.0 GHz, 2.80 GHz

Hyper-Threading Supportable Intel Chipsets:
The following Intel Chipsets support the Hyper-Threading technology.

Desktop chipsets
1066 MHz system bus: Intel® 925XE Express chipset
800 MHz system bus: Intel® 925X Express, Intel® 915G Express, Intel® 915GV Express, Intel® 915P Express, Intel® 875P, Intel® 865PE, Intel® 865G, Intel® 865GV, and Intel® 848P chipsets
533/400 MHz system bus: Intel® 910GL, Intel® 865P, Intel® 850E, Intel® 845PE, Intel® 845GE, Intel® 845GV, Intel® 845E and Intel® 845G chipsets

Mobile chipsets(Intel® 852GME Chipset, Intel® 852PM Chipset)
Server chipsets (Intel® 7520 Chipset, Intel® 7320 Chipset)

Hyper-Threading Supportable BIOS:
Please check your motherboard manual to check whether your system BIOS support Hyper-Threading technology or not.
Hyper-Threading Supportable Operating Systems:

The following Os supports the Hyper-Threading Technology.

Microsoft* Windows* XP Professional Edition
Microsoft* Windows* XP Home Edition
Red Hat Linux* 9 (Professional and Personal versions)
SuSE Linux* 8.2 (Professional and Personal versions)
Red Flag Linux* Desktop 4.0
COSIX* Linux* 4.0

Hyper-Threading Technology Test Utility
A testing utility is available at Intel site to test whether your system support Hyper-Threading or not. The Hyper-Threading Technology Test Utility is provided by Intel Corporation to test systems for hardware and software elements necessary to meet the Hyper-Threading Technology brand requirements for systems bearing the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor logo with HT Technology symbol.

The url for this utility is

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Product_Filter.asp?ProductID=1687

Portable Computers Laptop, Notebook and Palmtop

Portable computers, once a novelty, are now a part of everyday business life. Portable computers work and act just like larger systems, except they are very compact. This study note will give u a brief description of portable computer types.

Types of Portable Computers:
Portable computers are classified according to size and function. Today there are three basic types of portable computers: laptops, notebooks, and subnotebooks.

Laptop Computers

With advancements in battery technology and the advent of functional, large-screen, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), the first truly portable computers, referred to as laptops, were produced in the late 1980s. These units featured integrated AT-compatible computer boards, including I/O (input/output) and video controller functions. Laptops, as mentioned, usually feature a folding LCD display and a built-in keyboard and pointing device. They also use an external power supply and a removable, rechargeable battery. Today's laptops have fairly large (2 GB or more) hard drives, a CD-ROM drive (or DVD drive), and a floppy disk drive (often the latter two are interchangeable plug-ins).When laptops originally appeared on the market, they were the smallest portable computers made. Today, they are high-end machines that offer features and performance comparable to a desktop system.

Notebook Computers

Advances in integrated circuit (IC) technology allowed the size of computer components to be reduced even further, and, in the early to mid-1980s, the notebook computer was born. Notebooks are roughly 8.75 inches deep × 11 inches wide × 2.25 inches thick, and designers are working to decrease the size and power consumption of these units even further. The reduction in size comes at a cost, however, and notebooks typically have smaller and less capable displays and keyboards than laptops. A wide variety of specialty items have appeared on the market designed to overcome some of the notebook's shortcomings. Docking ports are one such item.

Subnotebook (Palmtop) Computers

Even smaller than the notebook computers are subnotebook computers, also known as palmtops or handhelds. These tiny systems are 7 inches wide × 4 inches deep × 1 inch high. Due to their size, they are rather limited in function. Keyboards, for example, are too small to permit touch-typing. With notebooks decreasing in cost and weight, palmtops have been losing market share and popularity

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor(CMOS) is a small portion of battery powered memory on the motherboard that contains system settings like types of drives, device types in the system, which drive to start up from etc.
The battery used is a 3volt battery.
CMOS and BIOS are often interchanged although they are different things. Think of the BIOS as the skeleton frame upon which the CMOS settings hang.
All computer memory forgets everything it holds when power to it is shut off. If the power was totally shut off to your CMOS, your computer would forget its start up settings, and you’d have to re-enter these settings every time you started your computer! Fortunately this is not the case as your CMOS always receives enough power to remember its settings, even when your computer is off. How? It is powered by a small lithium battery on your motherboard. Lithium batteries are designed to last years, and often outlive the usefulness of the computer they reside in. If you keep a computer long enough, you will have to replace the battery. This is usually an easy task. Just lift the retaining clip, pop out the old battery and put in a new one. Make sure your computer is off though, and beware of static discharge! After you replace the battery, you WILL HAVE TO re-enter all startup settings into CMOS setup.
It is a good idea to enter the CMOS setup and write down the information it contains. Unless you are fairly knowledgeable in computer support, have original manuals or like frustrating experiences, it is a good idea to keep the CMOS information on paper in case it gets erased.
HOW TO GET INTO THE CMOS?
Computers differ on how to enter setup. Normally when you start your computer, it will say something like "Hit or to enter setup. Based on different company or model the cmos entering key also varies " Take note of what key (or combinations of keys to hit. You can safely look around the setup program. If you accidentally change something, just exit without saving
What is CMOS Setup?
Various devices are attached to a computer. These devices have got various parameters such as IRQ settings, DMA channel settings, etc. Thus this information about the devices or peripherals attached to the computer must be known at the time of startup. These parameters are manually set if the devices are of older types that are non-plug-n-play. But if these devices are plug-n-play then the parameters are detected automatically. This information about the devices is to be stored or else it has to be set every time the machine is started. So this information is set and stored in the CMOS setup.
The CMOS has got a jumper. This jumper is used only for clearing the data stored in the CMOS.
Setting up CMOS setup.
The listing below is showing all the information’s stored into the BIOS;
· Time and Date
· Number of Floppy Disk Drives
· Floppy Disk Drives information’s (size, number of track, sectors, head, etc)
· Number of Hard Disk Drives
· Hard Disk Drives information’s (size, number of track, sectors, head, mode, etc)
· Number of CD-ROM Drives
· CD-ROM Drives information’s (operating mode, etc)
· Boot sequence ( Enable the user to decide what disk will be checked first when booting)
· Cache Memory information’s (size, type, timing, etc)
· Main Memory Information’s (size, type, timing, etc)
· ROM Shadowing information’s (Enabling or disabling of Video and System ROM shadow)
· Basic Video mode information’s (EGA, VGA, etc)
· Setting of PCI and ISA slots
· AGP Port Settings (aperture size, etc)
· Virus Protection Warning
· Setting of COM Ports (Enabling or disabling of Com port 2 for instance)
· Password Protection (enable the user to set his password)
· Energy saving information’s (snooze modes for the HDD and monitor)
Depending on your BIOS type there could be many a lot of other information not listed above that can possibly be stored in the BIOS memory. Note that some of the information in the above list may not be a part of the BIOS installed on your computer.