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Digital Life
Houston We Have
a Problem… 002 16/09/06
Core Business
Explained
Can you explain,
preferably in English, what a Dual Core processor is, and whether or not I need
one? I will be replacing my Windows 98 computer within the next few weeks and I
don’t want to buy obsolete technology, nor do I want to pay for something that
I do not need.
Gregory Taylor, Northampton
A
As the name implies Dual Core or Core 2 processors are two processors
in one. Central processor unit or CPU speeds used to double every two or three
years but they’re starting to level off now as manufacturers run into problems
with heat dissipation. Dual core CPUs share the workload so they work more
efficiently and run cooler.
In the real world most people use their PCs to do one job at a time --
word processing, spread sheets, web surfing, picture and video editing and so
on -- and a Dual Core CPU won’t make a great deal of difference. However, when
PCs is made to do several things at once, download a movie, edit a home video
or play a fast action game, for example, a Dual Core CPU can improve
performance, and they have an important role to play in laptops, where cooling
can be a problem. Dual Core CPUs are becoming cheaper and software applications
that take advantage of the technology are starting to appear but unless you are
a ‘power user’ I would opt for an ordinary Windows XP multimedia PC. They do
most routine tasks well and there are some amazing bargains to be had at the
moment.
Replacing iPod
Batteries
The battery on
my aging iPod now only lasts for a couple of hours but having it replaced by
Apple costs almost as much as a new player. Is this something I could do
myself?
Mike Bentley
A. It depends;
iPod batteries are not supposed to be user-replaceable but on some models it is
very straightforward. They are available from companies like Maplin
Electronics and MP3
Essentials; prices start and under £20 and they come with detailed
instructions.
Wireless
Interference
At least one of
my neighbours has wireless broadband. What is to stop them from interfering
with my system, and what happens when everyone has it?
Allan Taylor, by
email
A. Of even
greater concern is an unsecured wireless network that would allow someone in
the vicinity to hack into your PC and make use of your Internet connection. To
avoid this happening make sure that your system’s WEP or WPA (Wired Equivalent Privacy/Wi-Fi
Protected Access) encryption facilities are enabled.
Wi-Fi devices operate over a relatively short range and avoid
interference from adjacent systems by switching channels. In practice your
setup is far more likely to suffer interference to and from the multitude of
wireless devices (cordless phones, mice, keyboards etc.) and microwave ovens.
Disposing of old
PCs
I have two old
computers, dating from the mid 1990s that I want to get rid of. I can’t even
give them away; my local charity shop says it no longer accepts PCs and neither
of my local primary schools is interested in them. They are in excellent
condition and I believe still in working order. Surely someone can make use of
them?
Helen Wright, by
email
A. I wouldn’t
mind betting that you paid the thick end of £1000 for each of them but such is
the pace of development that PCs more than three or four years old are
practically worthless. Nevertheless, it’s worth having a look at the IT For Charities
website, which lists organisations around the country that recycle and reuse
old computer hardware. However you dispose of your old PCs you should erase all
of the programs and data on the hard disc drives, either by reformatting -- and
you can do this with a Windows 95/98 Recovery Disc -- or by using a freeware
utility called Active
KillDisc. This wipes the drive and then fills it with random characters
making any attempt at data recovery practically impossible.
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© R. Maybury 2006 0409
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