Dealing with New Gadgets
Posted on December 20, 2005
Filed Under Everything Else |
Well, there’s only two days left before a number of us will receive new gadgets to plug into our computers. Gadgets are wonderful things that bring great joy and pleasure when they work properly. Let me repeat that, ‘when they work properly.’
My picture may or may not show it, but I don’t particularly have a lush head of hair. I let my friends and family believe that my hair has thinned purely as a function of heredity but deep down I know the truth. Having worked on fussy computers with new gadgets for the past 11 years has been the major cause of my cranial hairlessness.
New hardware gadgets that connect to computers today typically come in three different flavours, USB, Firewire, and PCI. USB and Firewire are both connectors for external devices. PCI is an actual slot inside of the computer that will mean opening the computer up to install a PCI device.
While an overview of installing PCI devices would be beyond the scope of this column, it might be helpful for some readers to have an overview of installing USB and Firewire devices.
Practically all computer hardware requires a ‘driver’. A driver is software that must be installed, usually from a CD included with the hardware, before the device can be used. Drivers tell the computer how to use the new hardware.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is the most common connector available for external devices. USB devices connect to the computer using a thin rectangular shaped plug. If you are running short on USB ports (or connectors), USB hubs can be purchased that add additional ports to the computer without having to open the computer up.
Often the drivers for USB devices are installed before the device is plugged into the computer. To know for sure however, the best course of action is to consult the manual to learn how the particular driver is installed.
Generally there will be an option to install the driver which will launch the installer program. Once the driver is installed, there will be a message indicating that the device can now be plugged in or Windows must be restarted. If Windows needs to be restarted you can plug the device in once Windows reloads.
Firewire (or IEEE 1394) devices are less common and connect to the computer with a small D shaped connector. Firewire is a fast standard and is used for high speed devices like Camcorders, external hard drives, and other external storage. Usually the device can be plugged in before installing the driver but again, it is best to consult the manual.
With Firewire you don’t necessarily add ports when you run out because Firewire devices can be ‘daisy chained’. Firewire devices usually have two ports; one that connects to the computer and one into which another Firewire device can be plugged.
There is a limit of 63 devices that can be plugged into one port but you will likely want to use less than that. Firewire hubs and expansion cards are also available if needed.
With any luck this bit of information will save someone a hair or two, or if you’re like me, many, many hairs. So many hairs.
I would like to thank the Tribune and their readers for another year of making Computer Tidbits happen. I hope the columns are enjoyed and I welcome and appreciate any feedback.
All the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year!
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