Top 5 Computer Mouse Problems And How To Fix Them

By Ryan James Smith

This guide will take you through the 5 most common mouse problems along with a quick fix for each problem.

First Things First

Before even attempting to resolve your problem you'll need to do a few initial checks. They are all very easy and take but a few seconds.

1. Change batteries - If your mouse is wireless then change the batteries. Just because the bottom of the mouse is still glowing red and its lights are on and flashing doesn't necessarily mean that it's running low on juice and causing other problems.

2. Clean the mouse - Give your mouse and mouse mate or mouse surface a quick once over with a clean cloth to make sure there are no dust particles affecting it's performance.

3. Unplug and plug back in the mouse - It could be a case of simply replugging in your mouse. This usually fixes most problems.

If you have taken all of these steps and the problem persists then below are the 5 most common computer mouse problems along with the viable solutions.

PROBLEM: Mouse Cursor Doesn't Move Smoothly

SOLUTION: If your mouse cursor does not move smoothly then the most likely cause will be either dust in the mouse sensor or dust on the mouse surface, be it a mouse mat or desk. Ensure that you give the mouse a thorough cleaning making sure just to use a clean cloth and no chemicals which are likely to cause more problems.

Another factor which may be causing this malfunction is that a glossy mouse surface is being used. Some mice, especially optical and laser, have difficulties in tracking movement on high gloss surfaces such as glass. Try using a mouse mat instead.

PROBLEM: Mouse Pointer Freezes

SOLUTION: The most likely cause of this problem will be due to your computers CPU (Central Processor Unit) usage. In this case you may be running more programs than necessary or simply have a lot of background applications open without even realising it. This can potentially be the most annoying as this may mean that your PC is due an upgrade but before committing to this purchase then try these options.

i) Wait a few seconds - The simplest solutions are most often the best. Simply wait a few seconds to see if the problem resolves itself. If the problem persists or repeats itself then further investigation is required.

ii) Close some programs - Some computer programs will keep themselves open in the background without you realising. Look at the bottom right of your Windows Desktop to see if there are any programs still running which you could potentially close.

iii) If all else fails then power off and then power back on to completely clear any unwanted and troublesome background applications or programs.

PROBLEM: Mouse Not Working At All

SOLUTION: Your mouse not working at all could be from a variety of problems. Some may be software related and some will be hardware related. The mouse not working may be as a result from a loose connection, faulty wiring, a faulty USB or PS/2 port or a faulty IR wireless receiver. Make sure to double check the integrity of your ports when troubleshooting to ensure they are working as expected. Some wireless devices (and some wired) will require a mouse driver to be installed for proper use. Refer to the manufacturer's driver's guideline to make sure it is installed and up-to-date.

If all of this fails then, as usual, unplug and power up your mouse and PC.

PROBLEM: Mouse Pointer Too Slow Or Too Fast

SOLUTION: There's only really one solution for this and it's a software configuration issue. This can easily be fixed by going to Control Panel > Mouse > Pointer Options Tab. Change the pointer speed to the desired level by moving the slider up or down until it feels more comfortable.

PROBLEM: Problem With Double Click

SOLUTION: As above this will most likely be a software configuration issue and can be fixed by going to Control Panel > Mouse > Buttons tab. Change the double click speed and test it to a comfortable click speed level.

If all of these solutions fail for your mouse fix then the final option is to purchase another mouse. You can buy a variety of computer mice for many different uses. If you're not sure whether it's the actual hardware (the mouse) or your software then you can pick up a cheap mouse for a few dollars and testing it with this before making a more substantial purchase.

Ryan Smith is the chief author and editor of Computer Mouse Reviews. For help in fixing your computer mouse problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7504390

Amazing Firsts in the History of Computers

By Gary Klingsheim

A modern computer user accesses video, email, and spam every single day; it's an accepted part of a connected life. The Internet is now a vital part of business, social relationships, and politics; it's impossible to imagine how we ever got along without it. But computer and Internet technology as we know it is still quite new, on a historic scale. While many things are ubiquitous now, they were invented by someone who made the first leaps ahead. Here are some of those firsts in computer history.

The First Webcam

Webcams have revolutionized how we interact with others online, putting a human face onto a medium that was historically confined to text-only communications. Dial-up web connections couldn't possibly handle a live video stream; web browsers didn't gain the ability to display images until 1993. The first web cam was installed at the University of Cambridge in 1991. It showed a still image close-up of the laboratory's coffee pot in the hallway just outside of the "Trojan Room"; the image would display three times per minute and reduce the users monitor resolution to 128X128 grayscale color.

Like many inventions, the webcam was born out of necessity; employees working in other areas of the building would often take a break to get some coffee, only to arrive and find the pot totally empty. Frustrated at having to make frequent and pointless trips, some of the engineers set up a camera, pointed it at the coffee pot, and connected it to a video capture card on an Acorn Archimedes computer. The camera was connected to the Internet in 1993, making it visible to thousands of people online; the Trojan Room coffee pot became an early web celebrity until it was disconnected in 2001 when the computer department moved to a new building on campus.

The First Message

The Internet as we know it today would not exist without ARPANET, the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. It was the first operational packet switching network, laying the groundwork for how the Internet works today. It launched in 1969 with a network of four small computers called Interface Message Processors, located at University of California Los Angeles, UC Santa Barbara, the University of Utah, and Stanford Research Institute.

UCLA was the first node; Stanford got the second. On October 29, 1969, project leader Leonard Kleinrock supervised UCLA student Charley Kline as he sent the very first host-to-host message from UCLA's SDS Sigma 7 computer to Stanford's SDS 940. The message was intended to be the word 'login', so that UCLA could access the Stanford host. However, the system crashed after sending just the L and the O, one letter at a time; Two simple characters "L & O" ushered in a new era of global communications that would ultimately become part of everyday modern life.

The First Virus

John von Neumann theorized the possibilities of self-reproducing automated programs in 1949, and even designed a theoretical self-replicating computer program. The first true virus, Creeper, was written in 1971 by a BBN Technologies employee named Bob Thomas. BBN was a major player in the field of early computer science, including implementing ARPANET and developing an early operating system called TENEX. Creeper would infect computers running TENEX, then use ARPANET to copy itself into remote systems and display the message, "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" This challenge inspired the first piece of anti-virus software, a similarly self-replicating program called Reaper, whose goal was to remove Creeper from infected systems.

Together with his design team, Gary Klingsheim on Facebook, is dedicated to providing distinctive web design services for clients from all areas; creating stunning Social Network, Mobile, E-Commerce websites and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7523471

Is Your Computer or Laptop Corrupted - 3 Top Warning Signs

By Michael J Brooks

During the lifetime of your PC or laptop, you will experience various common problems, such a decrease in the performance of your machine, plus additional DLL errors and the dreaded blue screen of death. In extreme cases your operating system will crash.

You should never expect your computer to run at peak performance, like just when you bought it.

Like any machine you have to take care of it and carry out regular maintenance.

We are going to highlight within this article the top three warning signs indicating that your computer registry is corrupted. It is recommended to carry out steps to get the problem fixed.

The first common problem which has already been mentioned, will be your machine slowing down. This happens because over time, we add and remove applications and programs.

However sometimes the programs are not removed completely and this can result in conflicts with existing data. Corrupt files can then result.

The decrease in your machine's performance is generally the first sign of problems with the registry. Another sign is getting error messages which are very random. The most common types of these errors are browser errors plus h System32, DLL and kernel 32 errors.

You may also notice that the home page has been changed to something which you have never seen before.

Should this happen, our best advice is to run a quality registry cleaner such as Regcure Pro. This will allow you to run a free scan of your system which should highlight the problems for you.

The scan should find the registry problems and once the system has been cleaned of them, your computer should be running fine once more.

The last common problem that computer users meet is unwanted pop-ups. This is usually a sign that malware or spyware has been downloaded unto to your PC.

In general it's done unknowingly. The software disguises itself as a legitimate product and we then download it, thinking it's okay. Please don't ignore these pop ups as the software can monitor your activity and steal personal and private details such as financial information.

You need to get this malicious software out of your machine as soon as possible. If you go ahead and buy a good registry cleaner, we recommended that you use it regularly.

The quality ones will allow you to set up a cleaning schedule on a regular basis. Also the good ones such as Regure Pro do not require you to be a computer expert. I found the software easy to use and implement.

Fix slow running computer, Freezes, System crashes and Window errors. For your Free scan go now to: http://www.fixcorruptregistry.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7500420

Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Computer's Performance

By Hendro Rudiansyah

You can tweak almost every component of your PC to make its performance optimal. You only have to look for computer tips and tricks. You can tweak its hardware to make it work faster and more efficient than it usually does and its software to make all applications that are installed on your computer run perfectly with as efficient resources as possible. This article features some tips and tricks that guide you to weak or to tune up your PC's hardware and software.

Tweaking Your Computer's Hardware

There are a number of hardware components of your PC that you can tune up in order to improve its performance. Because the most essential part of your computer is its processor, you can start by tweaking it. Overclock is the most familiar term that PC users usually use to refer to CPU tune-up process. There are two easy ways to tweak your computer's CPU. If your computer is manufactured within the last four years, you can easily overclock your PC's CPU by modifying its BIOS or UEFI BIOS setup. When you access your computer's BIOS, you should try to locate CPU Operating Speed, FSB Clock and PCI Clock settings and alter their values. If you cannot find those settings in your PC's BIOS, then your computer is an old one. For old PC, overclocking can be done by changing the jumper settings of your computer's motherboard. Because different CPUs have different performance peak, there is no universal rule of how to overclock your CPU. You can experiment with different settings until you figure out the performance peak of your PC. If you have assigned a particular value to your CPU clock speed setting and the PC crashes or doesn't boot properly when you turn it on, then your computer has gone beyond its performance peak. You should thus lower that value a little bit in order to keep your computer running properly. If you cannot access the BIOS to reset its settings, you should locate the motherboard's 3-pin jumper labeled "reset bios" or "clear CMOS," remove the jumper that connects the first and the second pins, and attach it to connect the second and the third pins. Some new computers allow you to tune up the performance of their CPU and Video card by using built-in application that you can access after you start your computer.

Tweaking Your Computer's Software

Tweaking your computer's software is much simpler and easier than tweaking its hardware. You can use third-party applications to tweak your computer's system environment, alter its operating system by using the already-installed standalone programs, or alter the setting of all applications that are installed on it.

There is a large selection of third-party programs that you can use to do some tweaking jobs on your PC. You can, for example, use Teracopy to copy files and folders much more quickly or use BatteryCare to extend your laptop's battery life. Just surf the internet and you can mostly find hundreds of programs that you can use to tweak your computer.

You can also tweak your computer's operating system by altering its settings using any built-in applications that are installed on your computer when you install its operating system. If you are using Windows operating system, for example, you can prevent it from making record of recent files that you open by accessing its taskbar and start menu properties setting or prevent it from running autoplay function by altering its group policy setting (GPEDIT.MSC) if you are using Windows XP or by changing its autoplay setting at Control Panel if you are using the later versions of Windows.

A number of programs that you have installed on your computer also have standalone tweaking functions. If you are interested in knowing the hidden features of all programs that you install on your computer, you can try to search for its "hidden features" or "Easter eggs" by using internet.

There are thousands of computer tips and tricks that you can find when you are online. By referring to those tips and tricks, you can alter your computer the way you want.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7502993

Things to Consider When Repairing Your Motherboard

By Uchenna Rodger Ani-Okoye

There are a number of things for you to keep in mind when repairing a motherboard. In most cases it is possible for you to repair a motherboard rather than have it replaced, but then there are those times when repairing it is not possible. Before you attempt to repair your motherboard, it's very important that you know the cause of its fault.

If your computer overheats, then that can lead to motherboard failure, if there's a power surge or one of your memory chips goes bad, these are other things that can have a negative effect on your motherboard. If you have a cheap motherboard, then there is that greater chance it could fail. It's always best to do maintenance checks on your motherboard, and also to check your hardware components just to ensure that they are all working correctly.

It's important that you prevent any static charge prior to fixing your motherboard. After you have taken the case off, you should press the back of your hands against the metal found inside the computer. This prevents any static build up, which will prevent your motherboard from developing any new issues.

There are times when your motherboard may cease to function properly due to loss of connections. In this situation, you'll want to check all your connections and make sure their all in firmly and securely. It may also be a good idea for you to thoroughly examine the power supply connectors to ensure their in tightly and firmly. If any of them have come loose, especially the connector that plugs directly into the motherboard, then it may not receive enough power. If you're installing new components onto a motherboard, then you'll also have to consider your wattage, as you'll want a power supply unit that can handle all the add-on devices.

There are also times when pins on the motherboard may get bent. In this situation, switching your computer off, unplugging it, and using some tweezers to bend the pins back, is your best option. Make sure you take the utmost care, because if you break the pin off completely, then there will be no way to fix it. In a situation like that, you're only option will be to purchase a new motherboard.

If the motherboard is not well made, then there are times when it can develop cracks, or if it's not soldered properly. If the motherboard lacks the required flexibility, especially when installing new components, then it may crack. In situations like that, you're only solution would be to replace the board.

Uchenna Ani-Okoye has been writing articles online for many years now. For information on electronic gadgets and computers, including any questions that you may want answered, advice on specific products and recommendations, check out his latest websites kindle and Computer Q&A

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7369466

Choosing Which Files to Back Up

By Sarah S Richardson

Once you've made the decision to use online backup for your computer, the next step is to choose which files to back up. The obvious answer of "everything" isn't actually the best answer. There's a limit to how many files you can realistically store online.

Many of the files on your computer do not need to be backed up. Backing up certain files is pointless because backups of those files do nothing to protect your digital assets. In short, any file that you didn't create yourself is not a good candidate for backing up.

Do Not Back Up Installation Files

It is pointless to back up files that are created when you install software on your computer. These files are the easiest to recover if anything happens to your computer. All you have to do is find the installation CD or visit the software website to get those files again.

Additionally, software installer programs work in a specific manner. You cannot just back up the entire folder of a program in your Windows directory and then recover that folder at a later date. If you do feel the need to back up software, your best bet is to back up the original installer program.

Do Not Back Up Operating System Files

Don't worry about backing up the files that come preinstalled on your computer. You can recover those file at a later date by re-installing your operating system. All you need is a set of recovery disks and you're good to go.

Again, simply backing up your file tree is not a good way to back up your operating system. Those files have to be installed in a specific manner to create a functional operating system. Just get a set of backup discs or re-download the OS again at a later date if you ever need it in the future.

Back Up User Created Files

Files that you create from scratch should be backed up. These files include Microsoft Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, tax documents, scanned photos, other work documents and anything else that you have created from scratch.

These files are functional on their own and they cannot be downloaded again if they are ever lost. Back up documents that you created from scratch. This also includes photos that you have either taken yourself, paid for on a stock photo site or created from scratch.

Back Up Songs and Videos

Songs and videos that you have either downloaded or created yourself are also good candidates for backing up. Music collections are particularly valuable with songs going for upwards of $1 a pop. These files are valuable and not easily replaced. Go ahead and add them to your backup set.

The same thing also goes for videos and movies that you have downloaded. Whether you paid for these files or not, they can be difficult and expensive to replace. Add them to your backup set so that you can access them again later if anything happens to your computer.

As an added benefit, many online storage sites will let you stream songs and videos to any internet-connected device. For example, Livedrive can be used on your phone to stream your entire music collection on the go.

Sarah Richardson is a blogger and contributor to OnlineFileStorage.com. She writes about tech news, computer security and online storage.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7474060

Engaging Super Mario Games To Play Online

By Teodora Atanasova

Super Mario is a popular and well-liked game that is played by both kids and adults alike. They enjoy it because it is an adventure game full of action. The game story presents an Italian plumber called Mario who searches for Princess Peach to save her in the Mushroom Kingdom.

The game was created by Japanese company Nintendo in 1985 and has got a lot of fans since that time. It is an entertaining video game that can be played by the second player as well. To make it possible, Nintendo has developed and introduces a second character - Luigi, another Italian plumber, who is Mario's brother. He is Mario's assistant and helps him find the Princess.

According to the statistics, Mario is one of the most popular and liked video game characters these days. Even though he is created almost 30 years ago, it is a favorite video hero for two generations and his popularity did not diminish with the years. There are hundreds of variations created based on the original game, where Mario is the main character.

Obviously, most children prefer to play adventure types of Mario games. Internet replaces the old video game consoles required before to play the game. There are many Super Mario online games, some of which are at multiplayer mode and they are for free.

There are a lot of sites that offer free variations of Mario games, such as Mario Kart, Puzzle, Super Mario Bros, etc. All of them are a big hit today, especially among children and teenagers. It is enough to have a PC with an Internet connection to have a fun with these super games. Besides the attractive character, which most of the time is crazy and very funny, the music and graphics are also very entertaining, which doubles the pleasure from playing this game.

One special feature of Mario is that he may become much bigger in size if he eats a special magic mushroom. His size will become normal again as soon as Mario meets the turtle.

Let's take a closer look at some of the Super Mario variations, which are most popular and available on the Internet.

Super Mario Flash is a great flash game, where Mario's task is to collect coins that give him points and help him kill evil Koopas and Goombas. It is quite similar to the original Mario game, but makes use of the flash technology. The magic mushroom will make Mario stronger and bigger, but to keep his size and strength, he needs to avoid the old turtle, otherwise he will be killed. This game is an excellent entertainment for boring days and evenings or just for your spare time.

Super Mario Mushroom Kingdom is another game with a bit different story of a kidnapped princess. Mario should go to the mushroom kingdom and rescue the little princess and save her from the bad guy.

Mario Video Poker is a game that combines both Poker and Super Mario. It looks just like a usual casino poker game with only distinction that Mario will bet on your behalf.

Super Mario Moto - another game that should be tried. It is unique with the fact that Mario is on a bike. It is very exciting and more challenging than others.

Super Mario bros presents a completely new level of entertainment. Much more fun is added to the old game and transferred on the Internet, so all young players could have a full time access. It is created in two versions: Super Flash Mario and Mario Overrun. This model is more challenging compared to the old version, as the player needs to handle the attack of numerous enemies at once and destroy the kuppas. The game involves the usage of modern weapons, such as bombs, plasma, as well as shot guns to achieve the goal and destroy the enemies. The player should also preserve and save the castle from all the enemies and Kuppas, which mission is to bring it down.

A lot of super Mario versions just like the spug shock, Sunshine 64, rampage, star catcher, infinite Mario, etc.have already been transferred online and there are many more to come.

In order to complete the challenging levels, the player has to practice a lot. It may require a few hours of practice before you start winning the game. One additional advantage that the game offers is the interaction and competition between online players that makes the game even more thrilling and funny. It is up to you when you will play this game online, as the video game sites offer a fulltime online access at no cost.

Take advantage of the opportunity to play Super Mario bros online and enjoy various Super Mario Flash games online for free.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7487942