How to Disable Overclocking

The need to experiment and go beyond what is possible, is an inherent human tendency. Since the first personal computers were manufactured, people have experimented with hardware to make it go beyond its basic capabilities by overclocking the CPU. Gamers and people who want that extra bit more from their processor, implement overclocking to derive better performance. However, unless you actually know CPU overclocking and take necessary precautions, the experimentation may end up with drastic consequences ranging from a system crash to a fried CPU. If you are one of those, for whom it didn't work out, through this Buzzle article, I am going to guide you through the procedure to turn off overclocking and undo changes made to the system settings to restore normal functionality.

One thing that a lot of gamers need to know is that no piece of hardware is overclocked by default. A computer processor or video card that you may have installed on your computer, will operate at its base specifications. So those of you who think their hardware is overclocked and needs disabling are mistaken. Your hardware is probably having compatibility issues or driver issues that you need to look into.

About Overclocking

Overclocking is increasing the base operating frequency of the processor by modifying the front-side bus (FSB) frequency. Earlier it was possible to change the clocking frequency by modifying the internal multiplier settings, but in most modern processors it is locked. Ergo, modifying the FSB frequency is the only way of overclocking a CPU. To do that, along with the FSB frequency, the voltage settings of the motherboard also need to be modified and tuned. Since the heat output of the processor rises with increased clocking frequency, you also need to put in a cooling system to prevent overheating.

How to Undo Overclocking?

You may have tried overclocking your CPU and it may not have worked out for you. Either you are seeing no improvement in performance or you find your system crashing. In either case, it's best to nullify the effects of overclocking by changing settings back to normal.

How do you go about it? Firstly you will have to enter the CMOS and BIOS settings of the system and reverse all the voltage settings of the motherboard back to normal. You could also do this by choosing the 'Restore Fail Safe Defaults' option. Refer to the processor and motherboard specifications provided online to check for exact base voltage and frequency settings. Make changes accordingly. Some systems like Alienware machines, come with a default feature in BIOS, where processor overclocking can be directly disabled. In case you have such a system, you can use the feature to disable overclocking. Disable all CPU core control settings in BIOS.

Also change the FSB frequency setting to base value. Reverse every setting that you changed during overclocking, back to what it was before. Save changes and exit setup. You may remove all the extra cooling equipment you put up to prevent overheating. Once all these changes have been made, boot up your computer again to find things falling back to normalcy.

To sum it all up, to undo overclocking, you need to reverse all the changes made to system settings. Unless any serious hardware damage has been inflicted, this should restore functionality. With the modern line of Intel and AMD processors running at clocking frequencies that exceed 3 GHz, there is really no need to overclock computer processors and video cards anymore. Intel has developed 'Turbo Boost' technology, which can power processors beyond their base clocking frequencies on demand. It is like automated overclocking built into the processor! Ergo, I recommend that a processor upgrade to the high-end line of AMD or Intel processors is a better alternative than actually overclocking your existing system!

Computer Keeps Freezing

We have all experienced this at some point of time. We are in the middle of something important on our desktop computer and all of a sudden the computer stops to respond. Whatever you do, the computer is adamant. Sometimes it happens when we launch a certain program or software. Sometimes the ctrl+alt+del also refuses to impart any action. As a last option we restart the computer and sometimes we lose important data. Once in a while the processor gets loaded more than its capacity and the computer keeps freezing for a few seconds. But what if the computer keeps freezing every now and then? What if the computer freezes frequently? Let's find out everything about it.

Why Does My Computer Keep Freezing?

If you think your computer keeps freezing up for no reason, you are wrong. It just seems like it is freezing for no reason, but there is bound to be some fault deep within. The faults can be varied and it's not easy to point one out immediately. A virus attack is one of the prominent reasons behind a 'frozen' computer. Other reasons may be hardware compatibility issues, the programs running, in need a higher configuration or that you have installed too many programs and that have clogged the registry, the size of the paging file is not increasing due to some reason or there is not enough space on your hard disk. Higher memory requirements of startup programs is often why computer freezes on startup. These are the most probable problems but there may be some issues with the hardware too.

How to Deal with Computer Freezing?

Here are some simple things that will help you to find out the reason behind the computer freezing. Once you find the exact root of the trouble, getting rid of it will not be too difficult.

Virus Scan
Anyone with a basic knowledge of computers will tell you this. Run a virus scan on your PC. A type of virus known as Trojan Horse, does nothing except slowing down and sometimes freezing your computer. There are other malware, spyware, etc that can slow down your PC by occupying its virtual memory. But make sure your antivirus software is regularly updated and it should preferably be a licensed copy.

Configuration Check
Check the configuration requirements of all the software you use often. If they are below requirements upgrade your PC configuration. The RAM (Random Access Memory) plays an important role in determining the processing speed of your PC so check that first. Second, check if you have enough disk space as smooth functioning of the PC requires free disk space.

Performance Optimization
My PC has a good configuration and it is free of viruses, then why does this dumb computer keep freezing up? How you use your computer, also affects its functioning. If you have installed too many software, that will clog the windows registry of your computer. Even if you uninstall many software their registry entries may not always get wiped. For fixing this, just download some free computer maintenance and optimization software and run registry cleaner.

Check the Cooling Fan
If the cooling fan near the processor is malfunctioning that may lead to the computer freezing randomly. This is because the processor gets overheated. Checking if the fan is malfunctioning or not is very easy just listen to the sound that it makes. If the PC is fine the sound will be very low and if there is a problem it will make loud sounds after every few minutes. To fix that just open the CPU and clean up the fan. If it has stopped working completely, take it to an expert.

Even after doing all the above if your computer keeps freezing up take it to a computer engineer or a computer repair shop. Also, use only original software. Because they are automatically updated every few days to fix the bugs that may be present in them, thus making them more secure and your computer performance will improve. Use a licensed antivirus software and update it regularly.

System Restore does not Work

System Restore is a component of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. If a computer becomes unstable while downloading games or a software due to a virus attack or any other reason, System Restore can resolve the problem by taking the computer back to a prior check point. In case of a system failure, the System Restore provides you an opportunity to roll back the registry keys and system files to a previous check point. It performs a vital function of saving snapshots or restore points of your system settings and files. On noticing a significant change in the file or application structure, System Restore creates restore points on its own. In Windows Vista, Shadow technology is used to create restore points. Problems can arise if System Restore does not work. Here's some information on what to do when System Restore is not working.

System Restore Problems

At times, System Restore service does not work in Vista, Windows XP or Windows 7 because of insufficient hard disk space. At least 200 MB of free hard disk space is required for System Restore to function properly. This space is required for storing the data gathered for the restore points. If the disk space is less, System Restore will be disabled. Once the space required for the data is available, System Restore starts saving and creating the restore points until this space is full.

When all the space gets used up, it starts overwriting, starting with the most recent data. Another cause for System Restore not working might be a virus attack. Sometimes restore points get corrupted due to computer viruses or an anti-virus software, therefore, you must make sure that you are using an effective anti-virus program.

How to Solve this Problem

System Restore gets disabled either due to a lack of disk space or due to registry changes made by certain viruses. In case, System Restore doesn't work when you boot normally, you can try to restore your computer in safe mode. Do you know how to boot in Safe Mode? Well, it's simple, You just need to tap the F8 button while your PC is booting up. Once you select the option that allows you to start your computer in Safe Mode, see if System Restore works. Though this might help, at times System Restore may not work in safe mode also.

Under such circumstances, the best option would be to try using System Restore disk. If you have a System Restore disk in your optical drive when your computer boots, the computer must boot to the restore disk, and not to your hard drive. You will need to make some adjustments in the BIOS (Basic Input/Output Settings) so that your computer boots from the restore disk. This will lead you to System Restore disk menu. Follow the instructions to perform a System Restore. In case Windows XP System Restore is not working, you can boot your system from your Windows XP CD. To boot from the CD drive, make adjustments to BIOS. Put the XP CD in the drive and restart your computer. Once your computer boots up, you need to look for 'Automated System Recovery' at the screen. A scan will start and this program will find the required files from your XP CD. You will have to reboot your computer. After the reconfiguration of the system files, System Restore will start working again.

This was some information on System Restore. So, the next time you find that System Restore is not working, do a disk cleanup, check the antivirus software or try the given instructions to solve the problem.

High CPU Usage Problem

If you are experiencing high CPU usage problems on your computer, then the lowered speed of your machine must be really driving you up the wall. This is something that happens quite frequently, and there are a variety of reasons that lead to this abnormally high CPU usage rate. If you regularly find yourself asking why your computer so slow, then high usage of the CPU is definitely a potential culprit.

The first thing you need to know is how to check the CPU usage rate on your machine. You can do so by pressing 'Ctrl + Shift + Esc', or by pressing 'Ctrl + Alt + Delete' and then clicking the 'Task Manager' option. In the subsequent window, that opens, you need to click on the 'Processes' tab. This will show you the CPU usage rate of all the applications that are currently running on the computer. You can also double click on the 'CPU' option and then you will see all the applications in ascending or descending order of CPU usage.

A high usage problem will be evident from this window, and you will need to fix this immediately. If you fail to do so, your machine will continue to run at an excruciatingly slow pace. Also note that this technique is useful only for people using Microsoft Windows. This article will help you solve this problem.

Causes of High Usage of CPU
There are a load of computer viruses and malicious software that can harm and affect your computer in many different ways. One of the most common effects of these viruses is to gain control of your CPU usage, and involve it completely in a meaningless task. Note that high usage with no programs running is a clear indicator that your machine has been breached by a harmful program.

In order to solve this problem that is caused by viruses or worms, you must purchase an effective antivirus software, and upgrade it from its official website on a regular basis.

Another cause for this problem is a faulty program, or a damaged file of some sort. Though, it is impossible to check the legibility of each and every file on your machine, there is a way you can get to the bottom of this problem. Go to the 'Start' menu, click on 'Run' and then type 'msconfig' in the box that opens and then hit Enter. Now click the 'Startup' tab and check all the items that have been ticked. If you see anything suspicious, uncheck it. Reboot your machine after each item you uncheck and then check the CPU usage each time. This should help you pinpoint the program responsible for the high usage of your CPU. This is one of the many ways to make computer faster that you can make use of.

When you are checking the CPU usage for your programs, you will see an option known as 'System Idle Process'. The usage rate for this will always be very high. If you are seeing high CPU usage when idle or working some programs, do not be alarmed.

Sometimes when you are running some heavy applications on your computer, the CPU usage will shoot up considerably. This is not something that you need to be concerned with. Check the CPU usage when there are no programs running, in order to get a true picture about any malicious software's presence. If your heavy program is not responding at all, then you can choose to end it from the Task Manager window, and this will solve the problem.

Also make sure that you are running your Windows updates on a regular basis, and also updating your antivirus software at least once a week. These updates are absolutely essential for your machines well-being, and the regularity with which you take care of them will determine the computer performance levels.

If everything you try fails, just take your machine to a computer repair shop and tell them the problem you are facing. A trained and experienced professional will be able to solve the problem of high CPU usage in no time.

Computer Maintenance

It is quite surprising to see how many mistakes we make maintaining our computers, and that too considering the fact that we cannot do much work-wise without them. Computer maintenance is something we can easily take care of ourselves, but we do not take half the care we should and that's the reason why we end up spending hundreds of dollars on calling professionals to look at our computers each year. And this is money we could very well have saved.

This article enlists ten vital maintenance tips that you must follow. This will increase the life of your hard disk and even make the computer prove more efficient to you. (The tips given below are for Windows operating systems.)

Tip # 1 - When to Restart and When to Reset

Most people think that restarting and resetting means one and the same thing, but they are not! Restarting is the process when the computer is made to shut down (normally) and then made to start again after the common rebooting process that the computer undergoes. Restarting can be done through several internal features of the computer operating system, including the Shut Down menu. But resetting is different. This is done by pressing a button present on the CPU. When you reset a computer, you are shutting it down forcefully and then starting it again. When resetting is done, the computer is not allowed to shut down in the normal way, but restarting allows that to happen.

Resetting must be done only when nothing else seems to work. For example, if the display has frozen, or if the computer 'hang's, and even Ctrl-Alt-Del does not seem to work, then resetting can be done. But for simple requirements like reconfiguring the system after installing new software, you must only go for restarting.

Tip # 2 - Shutting Down the Computer

The computer must never be shut down by any other method except through the Shut Down menu provided. Never must the computer be shut down by powering it off directly from the AC mains. This will cause irreparable damage to the hard disk.

Tip # 3 - Clean Out Your Computer Occasionally

It doesn't take much time to run a Scan Disk and a Disk Defragmenter on your computer often. This is in fact the simplest way to maintain your computer. When you fragment your disk, you are freeing up all wasted space on your computer and that certainly increases its efficiency. Scanning shows you all the bad and corrupt files located on your computer.

Tip # 4 - Keep the Startup Simple

If your computer takes very long starting up, it probably has a lot of start programs. Let the computer start completely, then enter into the Start Up programs and delete those which you don't need to load at startup. These programs will only slow down your computer drastically.

Tip # 5 - Install an Antivirus

Anyone knowing an iota of computers will tell you how an antivirus is important to your computer, if you are using the Internet. Remember to run the antivirus scan regularly. You can even set it up automatically.

Tip # 6 - Install Firewalls

You can say that firewalls are better than antivirus programs at protection. While antivirus programs are the cure, firewalls can be considered as the prevention. When you set up a firewall, you are restricting all kinds of unauthorized accesses to your computer. You must do this as soon as you get your Internet connection, and then keep the firewall definitions updated.

Tip # 7 - Install Antispyware Programs

Spyware is a term used to describe several unauthorized applications that install on your computer when you browse the Internet, and then they make a connection between your computer and the host server. These programs can relay private information from your computer to the host server. Spyware is a chief element of identity theft in today's times. Fortunately, there are several good antispyware programs that you can install to protect your computer from such threats.

Tip # 8 - Keep Adequate Disk Space

Never fill your hard disk to full capacity. This will make your computer run slow and can cause damage to the disk even. Keep at least 100 MB free space. However, the hard disks available today have humongous capacities, so this problem will probably never arise.

Tip # 9 - Use Peripheral Devices Carefully

For all peripheral devices, you must exercise care when making direct connections with your PC. Especially when you are removing them, don't just yank them out. Turn off the device through the corresponding software first, and remove them only when they say it's safe to remove the device.

Tip # 10 - Clean Out the Temp Files
Temp files are created when you are working on any application on your computer. These are not user-readable files, but they are records for the computer to use the applications easily the next time. A similar analogy is found in cached files when using the Internet. These files can accumulate to a large extent and can clog the computer, making it run very slow. You must regularly visit the temp or cache folder and clean out these files.

Computer Problems and Solutions

If you have a computer or PC, it will surely help in easing most of your problems. But with every computer comes along many headaches and complications, sooner or later. A computer is a machine and every machine breaks down sometime or the other. You do not need to run to the computer technician every time your PC crashes or is attached by a malicious software. If you know some simple solutions to the most common computer problems, it will help you save a lot of time and money. These glitches that can be solved by a common person like you and me in the world of computers.

There are many PC owners who think every time they face a problem with computer, they should contact professional help. True, but not every problem needs to be addressed by a computer expert.

How to Fix Computer Problems?

Problems with computer are divided into two groups, i.e., hardware problems and software problems. The hardware problems are related to the peripheral parts of the computer like the CD drive, hard disk, monitor, keyboard, etc. The software problems are more complicated. These problems include problems like modem problems, Windows not starting, drivers not found, etc. Understand what is causing the glitch and follow the standard procedure to solve the problem. The following are a few common problems and solutions to help you overcome the technical snag.

After Power Outage
Today there are many sudden power outages, voltage problems and spikes that can damage computers. These damages cause many technical and software snags and interrupt your work. This leads to loss of data, damage to the hardware, etc. due to sudden power outage. This is a solution to this trouble is use of uninterrupted power supply (UPS). The UPS can provide a constant flow of energy to the computer, even if you encounter a sudden power outage. This will provide you with ample time to save your data and shut down your PC, if needed.

Computer Performance has Slowed Down
You may notice your computer has slowed down considerably and even a simple command execution takes ages. This is because your computer is loaded with unnecessary files, fragmented data, corrupted registry, spyware programs, services, software, etc. that makes your computer slow down. Thus, you need to manage your programs and delete unnecessary data and software that you do not use or need, clean your registry regularly to help boost at least 30% of your computer performance speed.

No Sound from Speakers
You are in the mood to listen to some groovy music on your PC, but you get no sound from speakers, the solution to is to check the back of the computer and see if all the connectors are properly connected. The speaker or single stereo speaker plug should be put into the socket on the soundcard that has a mark Audio Out.

Computer Monitor Displays Fuzzy Images
A computer monitor is the display unit of the computer that is sensitive to electro-magnetic radiations. These electro-magnetic radiations are transmitted from the TV, radio, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, speakers, etc. Mobile phones transmit electro-magnetic radiations that is one of the main cause of monitor displaying fuzzy images. Thus, move away these disturbances away from the monitor and this problem with computer monitor will be fixed.

Computer Freezes with Blue Screen Hijacking Your Display
There are many problems that can cause your computer screen to freeze and blue screen to appear. This screen is called the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This may be due to a spyware or computer viruses that have affected your computer. You need to update your anti-spyware and scan your computer for any viruses. If your computer is free from any such malicious software, then you may need to update your hardware drive. A hardware drive that is not updated may cause the CPU to lock up and interrupt working of the computer. If you find the problem cropping up even after a hardware drive update, then you may need to increase computer RAM. When you increase the RAM, the computing power increases and you will also be able to avoid the computer freeze. At times, BSOD may appear due to critical errors in the driver, software or registry problems. Windows may have to repair or reinstall missing components. If you do not find any visible cause, it would be wise to call the computer technician.

Computer Reboots Itself Again and Again
Another common problem with computers. In order to fix the problem of rebooting itself again and again, you will need to check the hardware. You may have a faulty power supply, defective or dirty cooling fan, etc., that may cause the computer to reboot again and again. The dust that accumulates on the fan, makes it heat up faster and in order to cool down the computer automatically switches off. Thus, clean the fan and check for power supply. Following these simple steps will help you to solve these problems with computer.

Computer Makes Strange Noises
Noises and vibrations from your computer are a hardware problem. Many electronic parts can make high pitch noises. You need to switch off your computer and unplug it from the power supply. Now remove the case from the CPU and restart your computer. Locate the origin of noise and then switch off the computer and unplug it. It may be a faulty fan, loose wire or screw. This means you will need to call the computer technician to help you solve your problems with computer, regarding these type of problems.

Windows Having Problems in Shutting Down Properly
You may have come across the message 'Windows Shutting Down' instead of 'It is now safe to switch off you computer'. This is because a program has not unloaded itself properly that makes the computer insist to run a scandisk the next time you switch on. You need to close all the programs before your shut down your PC and if it is not done, the computer waits for the program to close. It may happen you get the message 'Do you want to shut this program down or wait' or you may not. When you don't get such a message it results in what we call the hanging of the operating system. The solution is not to install Direct X whenever you install a game. Most games have their version of Direct X that makes the files out of sync. Thus, install the latest version of Direct X and not the games version. You may need to also check USB devices, task scheduler, virus scanners, etc. and reinstall them if necessary. This will lead to correct installation and the problems with computer may reduce.

Computer Gives Error Messages on Start-up
Many times when you switch on you computer you see error messages on your screen. These messages may appear such as, abclink.xyz missing or damaged - press any key to continue. If you see this message, you need to press keys for about 8 to 10 times, before Windows actually resumes. This happens when you delete a program instead of actually un-installing it. If you wish to get rid of any program, go to Control panel ---> Programs ---> Programs and Features. Here, you will find a list of programs installed on your computer. Select the specific you wish to delete and click on Uninstall. The program will be removed from your system and next time you switch on your PC, you will not get any error messages saying a link is missing.

Low Virtual Memory
Do you keep getting an annoying message that says 'system running low on virtual memory'? If yes, it means your computer is running short of RAM, that is, Random Access Memory. So, to solve this problem, you need to increase the size of your computer memory. Windows 7 users need at least 1 GB of RAM, Windows Vista needs 512 MB of Ram and Windows XP requires minimum 256 MB RAM. Visit your local computer dealer and purchase more memory from him. The dealer may even install the memory for you. This will help you get rid of low virtual memory.

You can avoid these problems if you are aware of the various steps needed for computer maintenance. You should read the manual given with computer before you begin using it. Yes, the manual may sound Greek to you, but it's always better to know the simple precautions to be taken. The troubleshooting is not an easy task. If you do not understand anything or are still apprehensive about these troubleshooting, then it is a better idea to consult a computer technician. You have many articles on the Internet that help you find solutions to various problems with computer. You do not need to be genius to diagnose and troubleshoot a simple problem. Many times a bit of presence of mind and common sense will help you overcome obstacles of the technical world.

Computers Break

Computers make our lives better in so many ways, but when they fail they can be indescribably frustrating. Increasingly, many of us have a good portion of our lives on the computer. From our important documents, pictures, and files to our music and movies to the games and other activities that we choose to spend time on, the computer is the location of a huge percentage of contemporary life. When your computer breaks, it can feel a lot like being stuck in a place where you don't want to be. Without the computer, so much of what you do on a day-to-day basis is suddenly unavailable. The good news is, by following a few easy steps you should be able to avoid panicking and head down the road to repairing your machine.

Turn off the Internet
The first step when you are having serious computer trouble is to avoid making the problem worse. This can be difficult if you have no idea what the problem is, but there are a few tricks you can use make sure you don't do further damage. First, if you still have access to the internet, disable it until you are sure the problem isn't caused by a virus. If you do have a virus, it's important that you don't allow it to contact other computers or exchange information over the internet. After you have disabled the internet, you can run full system scans for viruses and malware. If you don't have free antivirus and anti-malware programs already installed, do that as soon as possible, so you are prepared in the event of a computer problem.

Retrace Your Steps
After you have ruled out viruses and malware as the cause of your computer issue, it is usually safe to turn the internet back on. This will allow you to search message boards and tech support forums for advice on how to deal with your specific problem. Before you do that, however, consider what you were doing when the problem began, and what you did in the few minutes, hours, or days prior to the start of the issue. Retracing your steps this way will help you narrow down the problem. You may be able to identify what caused the problem just by thinking about what happened before.

Reverse Any Recent Changes
As you retrace your steps, ask yourself these questions: Did I install anything recently? Did I change any system or program settings recently? Did I update any software or drivers recently? Did I install any new hardware or external devices (like a new mouse or keyboard) recently? If you answer "Yes" to any of these questions, there is a good chance that your recent changes are the cause of the problem. There are several reasons that changes like this can cause issues, including compatibility conflicts or registry errors. Try reversing your changes if possible. Uninstall any recently installed programs, reset settings to defaults, or go back to old versions of drivers or software. After doing this, restart the computer to see if the issue is resolved.

Restart in Safe Mode
If your computer trouble prevents you from opening programs or accessing the internet, consider running your operating system in Safe Mode. In Safe Mode, you will be unable to do many of the things you normally do on your computer, but you may regain the ability to uninstall programs or reverse any changes that could be causing issues. If your problem is caused by an issue in the Windows registry, you may be able to repair the registry using a utility or free program in Safe Mode.

Diagnose Faulty RAM
In the event that your computer does not turn on at all, there are still a few things you can do to diagnose the problem before you resort to taking it to a repair technician. One common cause of computers not turning on is faulty RAM, or memory. If you are confident opening up your computer and removing the RAM, do this, trying to turn the computer on with one chip at a time and alternating which RAM slots you put them in. If the computer turns on, one of your RAM chips is faulty and you can replace it yourself. If this is not the problem, it is likely that you have another hardware issue.

Don't Forget to Back Up Data
If you are unfamiliar with computer hardware, it is best to take the computer to a repair technician at this point. However, if you feel comfortable repairing computers yourself, connect to the internet using another computer and search for instructions and advice. The internet is a wonderful resource for repairing computers and you can find a solution to almost any problem online. One last word of advice: remember to back up your important data! Even if your computer is running fine now, you could run into trouble at any time. Good backups will pay off in the long run!