class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/gnomeshell-icon.png" alt="" />Do you love Ubuntu, but prefer Gnome Shell to Unity? You’re not alone, but you’re also in luck. href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ubuntu-1110-oneiric-ocelot-default-programs-linux/">Ubuntu 11.10 makes it easy to install Gnome Shell. Not liking where Gnome was heading, the href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/ubuntu/">Ubuntu team decided to build Gnome into a desktop of their own devising – Unity. This makes use of, and would not be possible without, the efforts of the Gnome team. Simply put, Unity is a different interface, or shell, for Gnome.

It’s by no means the only one, however. The default shell for Gnome is called, fittingly enough, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/gnome-3-beta-desktop-linux/">Gnome Shell. Meant to replace the old, beloved Gnome 2 desktop, Gnome Shell is a step forward for Gnome in many ways. Gnome Shell, like Unity, is not lacking for detractors. Many people would prefer to return to the classic Gnome desktop altogether, and are switching to systems like Linux Mint in order to do so. This is only temporary. All major Linux distributions will almost certainly be using either Gnome Shell or Unity for their Gnome offerings at some point in the near future. That’s why it’s essential to get used to one desktop or the other.

Want to try out Gnome Shell in Ubuntu? If you’re running 11.10, it’s easy.

Install Gnome Shell On Ubuntu 11.10

The simplest way to install Gnome Shell in Ubuntu? href="apt:gnome-shell">Just click here. Alternatively, you can find Gnome Shell in the Ubuntu Software Center:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/gnomeshell-install.png" alt="" width="580" height="186" />

Finally, if you’re a command line person, type this:

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

That command will use apt-get to install Gnome Shell and its dependencies. The download isn’t huge, because most of Gnome is built into Unity. Once it’s installed, nothing will happen. You’ll need to log into your new desktop environment to see what you just did.

Loading Gnome Shell

Want to try out Gnome Shell? Log out of Unity to get to your login screen. When there, before logging in, click the gear icon beside the entry field:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/gnomeshell-login.png" alt="" width="579" height="245" />

Pick “Gnome” as your desktop, then type your password as usual. You’re now using Gnome Shell! href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/gnome-3-beta-desktop-linux/">Read more about Gnome Shell to see what this system can do.

Everything might look ugly at first. Unity’s default theme Ambiance does not integrate well with Gnome Shell. Be sure to href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-5-gnome-shell-themes-install-linux/">check out the top 5 Gnome Shell Themes for something better, or simply switch themes to Adwaita for the default Gnome Shell experience.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/gnomeshell-desktop.png" alt="" width="580" height="340" />

There are obvious differences between Gnome Shell and Unity, of course. Virtual Desktops are created only as windows are added to them, and the “menu” brings up open programs before letting you open new ones.

Which shell is better, I think, is a matter of preference. Try both out to really get a feel for what fits better into your workflow. Trying out new desktop environments is a big part of what makes Linux fun; it’s like exploring an entirely new system. Enjoy exploring, and do so with an open mind.

You will notice two other entries in your login screen options: “Gnome Classic” and “Gnome Classic (no effects)“. Both of these desktops resemble the old Gnome 2 desktop, but are also different in many ways. Feel free to try these out if you miss the old Gnome 2 desktop, but know they are harder to customize than you may perhaps be used to.

Conclusion

Open source is about choice. That’s why I like seeing easy access to Gnome Shell included in Ubuntu. I’ve come to love using Unity as my default desktop, but for those disappointed with the direction of Unity this is a simple way to access an alternative.

What do you prefer – Gnome Shell or Unity? Let us know in the comments below, along with any Gnome Shell hacks you might know of.

View full post on MakeUseOf

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-icon.png" alt="" />Tired of burning a new CD every time a new version of your favourite Linux distro comes out? Then stop. Use NetbootCD to download and install your choice of href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/ubuntu/">Ubuntu, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/debian/">Debian, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fedora-15-bringing-latest-linux/">Fedora, openSUSE, Mandriva, CentOS or Slackware from a single disk. This handy disk downloads and runs the net installation tools for several distros, and is always capable of finding the latest version of your Linux operating system. Burn this tool once and you’ll never need to burn a Linux distro to CD again.

Using NetbootCD isn’t necessarily easy. You’ll need to learn to use text-based installers instead of the GUI versions found on live CDs. To me though, this is a small price to pay to contain my steadily-growing pile of Linux CDs.

Getting Started

First things first, you’ll need to href="http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/">download NetbootCD and burn the ISO to CD. If you’re really old-fashioned you can also grab the href="http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/floppy-info.html">floppy drive version of NetbootCD, but for most people the CD is what you’re looking for. Whatever version you use, boot the disk and you’ll see a menu like this:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-start.png" alt="" width="580" height="315" />

You’ll need to use the arrow keys to browse the menu, because your mouse will not work here. Before you start installing anything I highly recommend you run the “download” option. This will ensure you are using the most recent version of the NetbootCD script, and as such have access to the latest versions of your distro.

Once you’ve updated, click “install” to see your choice of Linux distros:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-distros.png" alt="" width="580" height="255" />

Pick the distro you want to run and you can pick which version of that distro you want. For example, here are the Ubuntu choices:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-ubuntu.png" alt="" width="580" height="189" />

Generally you’re going to want the latest released version, but the choice is entirely up to you. Pick what you want and the download process will begin:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-downloading.png" alt="" width="580" height="143" />

Note that your wireless setup may not play nicely with NetbootCD. To keep things simple, plug your computer directly into your router or modem with an ethernet cable.

Net Installations

Eventually your computer will load the net installation tool for your distro. Install the way you normally would, following the prompts and answering any questions. Since every package needs to be downloaded before it is installed, this will take longer than usual.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-installing.png" alt="" width="580" height="140" />

Depending on your distro, you may need to pick which desktop you want installed. For example: Ubuntu users will be given a choice between the Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu desktops, to name a few ( href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/versions-ubuntu-technology-explained/">why are there so many versions of Ubuntu?)

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-ubuntudesktop.png" alt="" width="579" height="182" />

Be sure to choose something or you may end up with a command-line-only system. Note that the spacebar selects your option and enter continues to the next step of installation.

Once you’ve got everything the way you want it, you’re ready to boot into your Linux distro of choice.

Conclusion

I really like the idea of only needing one Linux installation CD around for my favorite versions of Linux, as well as future versions. If you like not to waste CDs but still use GUI installation tools, I suggest you check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-linux-with-ease-using-unetbootin/">Unetbootin or href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-live-usb-creator-easily-boot-linux-flash-drive/">Linux Live USB Creator. Both of these tools make it possible to boot Linux from a USB drive or an SD card.

How do you like to install Linux? Let us know in the comments below, along with any tips for first-time users of NetbootCD.

View full post on MakeUseOf

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-icon.png" alt="" />Tired of burning a new CD every time a new version of your favourite Linux distro comes out? Then stop. Use NetbootCD to download and install your choice of href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/ubuntu/">Ubuntu, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/debian/">Debian, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fedora-15-bringing-latest-linux/">Fedora, openSUSE, Mandriva, CentOS or Slackware from a single disk. This handy disk downloads and runs the net installation tools for several distros, and is always capable of finding the latest version of your Linux operating system. Burn this tool once and you’ll never need to burn a Linux distro to CD again.

Using NetbootCD isn’t necessarily easy. You’ll need to learn to use text-based installers instead of the GUI versions found on live CDs. To me though, this is a small price to pay to contain my steadily-growing pile of Linux CDs.

Getting Started

First things first, you’ll need to href="http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/">download NetbootCD and burn the ISO to CD. If you’re really old-fashioned you can also grab the href="http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/floppy-info.html">floppy drive version of NetbootCD, but for most people the CD is what you’re looking for. Whatever version you use, boot the disk and you’ll see a menu like this:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-start.png" alt="" width="580" height="315" />

You’ll need to use the arrow keys to browse the menu, because your mouse will not work here. Before you start installing anything I highly recommend you run the “download” option. This will ensure you are using the most recent version of the NetbootCD script, and as such have access to the latest versions of your distro.

Once you’ve updated, click “install” to see your choice of Linux distros:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-distros.png" alt="" width="580" height="255" />

Pick the distro you want to run and you can pick which version of that distro you want. For example, here are the Ubuntu choices:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-ubuntu.png" alt="" width="580" height="189" />

Generally you’re going to want the latest released version, but the choice is entirely up to you. Pick what you want and the download process will begin:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-downloading.png" alt="" width="580" height="143" />

Note that your wireless setup may not play nicely with NetbootCD. To keep things simple, plug your computer directly into your router or modem with an ethernet cable.

Net Installations

Eventually your computer will load the net installation tool for your distro. Install the way you normally would, following the prompts and answering any questions. Since every package needs to be downloaded before it is installed, this will take longer than usual.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-installing.png" alt="" width="580" height="140" />

Depending on your distro, you may need to pick which desktop you want installed. For example: Ubuntu users will be given a choice between the Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu desktops, to name a few ( href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/versions-ubuntu-technology-explained/">why are there so many versions of Ubuntu?)

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-ubuntudesktop.png" alt="" width="579" height="182" />

Be sure to choose something or you may end up with a command-line-only system. Note that the spacebar selects your option and enter continues to the next step of installation.

Once you’ve got everything the way you want it, you’re ready to boot into your Linux distro of choice.

Conclusion

I really like the idea of only needing one Linux installation CD around for my favorite versions of Linux, as well as future versions. If you like not to waste CDs but still use GUI installation tools, I suggest you check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-linux-with-ease-using-unetbootin/">Unetbootin or href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-live-usb-creator-easily-boot-linux-flash-drive/">Linux Live USB Creator. Both of these tools make it possible to boot Linux from a USB drive or an SD card.

How do you like to install Linux? Let us know in the comments below, along with any tips for first-time users of NetbootCD.

View full post on MakeUseOf

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-icon.png" alt="" />Tired of burning a new CD every time a new version of your favourite Linux distro comes out? Then stop. Use NetbootCD to download and install your choice of href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/ubuntu/">Ubuntu, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/debian/">Debian, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/fedora-15-bringing-latest-linux/">Fedora, openSUSE, Mandriva, CentOS or Slackware from a single disk. This handy disk downloads and runs the net installation tools for several distros, and is always capable of finding the latest version of your Linux operating system. Burn this tool once and you’ll never need to burn a Linux distro to CD again.

Using NetbootCD isn’t necessarily easy. You’ll need to learn to use text-based installers instead of the GUI versions found on live CDs. To me though, this is a small price to pay to contain my steadily-growing pile of Linux CDs.

Getting Started

First things first, you’ll need to href="http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/">download NetbootCD and burn the ISO to CD. If you’re really old-fashioned you can also grab the href="http://netbootcd.tuxfamily.org/floppy-info.html">floppy drive version of NetbootCD, but for most people the CD is what you’re looking for. Whatever version you use, boot the disk and you’ll see a menu like this:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-start.png" alt="" width="580" height="315" />

You’ll need to use the arrow keys to browse the menu, because your mouse will not work here. Before you start installing anything I highly recommend you run the “download” option. This will ensure you are using the most recent version of the NetbootCD script, and as such have access to the latest versions of your distro.

Once you’ve updated, click “install” to see your choice of Linux distros:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-distros.png" alt="" width="580" height="255" />

Pick the distro you want to run and you can pick which version of that distro you want. For example, here are the Ubuntu choices:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-ubuntu.png" alt="" width="580" height="189" />

Generally you’re going to want the latest released version, but the choice is entirely up to you. Pick what you want and the download process will begin:

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-downloading.png" alt="" width="580" height="143" />

Note that your wireless setup may not play nicely with NetbootCD. To keep things simple, plug your computer directly into your router or modem with an ethernet cable.

Net Installations

Eventually your computer will load the net installation tool for your distro. Install the way you normally would, following the prompts and answering any questions. Since every package needs to be downloaded before it is installed, this will take longer than usual.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-installing.png" alt="" width="580" height="140" />

Depending on your distro, you may need to pick which desktop you want installed. For example: Ubuntu users will be given a choice between the Ubuntu, Kubuntu and Xubuntu desktops, to name a few ( href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/versions-ubuntu-technology-explained/">why are there so many versions of Ubuntu?)

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/netbootcd-ubuntudesktop.png" alt="" width="579" height="182" />

Be sure to choose something or you may end up with a command-line-only system. Note that the spacebar selects your option and enter continues to the next step of installation.

Once you’ve got everything the way you want it, you’re ready to boot into your Linux distro of choice.

Conclusion

I really like the idea of only needing one Linux installation CD around for my favorite versions of Linux, as well as future versions. If you like not to waste CDs but still use GUI installation tools, I suggest you check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-linux-with-ease-using-unetbootin/">Unetbootin or href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-live-usb-creator-easily-boot-linux-flash-drive/">Linux Live USB Creator. Both of these tools make it possible to boot Linux from a USB drive or an SD card.

How do you like to install Linux? Let us know in the comments below, along with any tips for first-time users of NetbootCD.

View full post on MakeUseOf

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cyanogen.jpg" alt="custom android rom" />Whether you’ve had your Android phone for a long time, or you’ve just bought a new one, there is no moment quite as sweet as when you finally get around to “ href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/root-android-phone-superoneclick-2/">rooting” that phone. It’s like a “coming of age” for Android users. Not only can you install a whole family of apps that you couldn’t run on an unrooted phone, but you can also install a whole new ROM to your phone.

What’s a ROM you ask? It stands for Read Only Memory, but what it means within the context of an Android phone is that it is essentially the style, theme and organization of the operating system. Thanks to the Android OS being open source, this is possible. There are a huge number of programmers out there working diligently on creating some of the most impressive custom Android ROMs – far better than the stock ROM that comes with your phone.

If you’re just starting out with an unrooted Android, you’ve got some work to do before you can install a new ROM. First, set up the SDK as described in my href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-capture-screenshots-with-your-android-mobile-phone/">USB screenshot article. Next click the link above to learn how you can root your phone with SuperOneClick. Finally, you’re ready to take the next big step and replace your ROM.

Installing A Custom Android ROM

If you’re not sure whether you see the point of installing a custom ROM, consider it like you’ve just purchased a new Honda Civic. Now, a Honda Civic is a great car. Better gas mileage and reliability than most other cars in its class, but that doesn’t stop car enthusiasts from making that great car even better by “tuning” it. Well, ROM programmers are essentially Android “tuners”.

First things first – safety. When you root your phone and install a new ROM, it should go without saying that you run the risk of turning your phone into an expensive paperweight. The popular approach to installing new ROMs to an Android is by installing the ROM Manager off the Android Market. Once you do – and I can’t stress this enough – choose Flash ClickworkMod Recovery from the menu before you do anything else.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM1.jpg" alt="custom android rom" width="281" height="500" />

This completely saved me when a couple of ROMs didn’t install correctly. ClockworkMod Recovery lets you make a backup of your current ROM before installing a new one. If you need to, you can reboot into recovery mode (holding down the power button and the “X” key at the same time) to recover your old ROM.

When you’re ready to search for and download a brand new custom ROM for your phone, click on “Download ROM” in the ROM Manager menu.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM2.jpg" alt="android rom manager" width="281" height="500" />

Now, there are lots of Android users with lots of opinions as to which ROM is best. Favorites seem to be Bugless Beast, Gingerbread and of course CyanogenMod. After a couple of failed attempts with Bugless Beast and Gingerbread, I went with the tried and true CyanogenMod.

When you go to install a ROM, you’ll see the pre-installation pop-up. Always select backup existing ROM. Nine times out of ten you should also wipe data and cache for the installation to work correctly.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM3.jpg" alt="android rom manager" width="281" height="500" />

Once the installation was done, my Droid rebooted and when it came back up, I had a fresh installation of CyanogenMod running on my rooted phone. I have to say that I really like the layout, but the default background is definitely a bit “bleh.” So that’s the first thing I changed.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM4.jpg" alt="android rom manager" width="281" height="500" />

One of the coolest things about these ROM’s is that you’ve got live wallpaper available. You can’t see it too well below, but my background now has very cool high-tech lights zooming around. Most of the apps shown below came standard with CM.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/rom4b.jpg" alt="cyanogenmod" width="281" height="500" />

If static backgrounds are your thing, CM has a pretty decent selection to choose from with some really high-quality artwork. I was impressed – of course I eventually opted for one of the live wallpapers instead.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM6.jpg" alt="cyanogenmod" width="281" height="500" />

When you go into the menu and view the settings, you’ll see that there are a few unique options from the standard ROM. Obviously, CM settings and options, but you’ll also see ADWLauncher available (if you opted for it during download). This is a very cool tool that lets you download and install some amazing themes from the Android market.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM7.jpg" alt="cyanogenmod" width="281" height="500" />

Most of these themes aren’t free, but the quality is very good. Ultimately the theme is what creates the “feel” of the interface, which you’ll be dealing with day in and day out, so buying and downloading a theme probably isn’t a waste of money.

Of course, last but not least is the ease with which you can enable or disable your network connections like Wi-Fi, GPS or Bluetooth, straight from the status drop-down. Toggling these networks was always a pet peeve of mine with the standard ROM. With CM it’s just a couple of finger-swipes away.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ROM51.jpg" alt="custom android rom" width="281" height="500" />

Whether you choose to go with the popular CyanogenMod, or any one of the other ROMs, just make sure to make a recovery backup of your current ROM so that you’ll have a way out if anything goes wrong. Once that’s aside, you can feel fairly confident installing and test driving the different ROMs available for your device, and you can decide which one is perfect for you.

Did you install a new custom Android ROM? Which one did you choose and what do you like about it? Share your Android insight in the comments section below. />
/> Hey Facebookers, make sure to join href="http://www.facebook.com/makeuseof" target="_blank">MakeUseOf on Facebook and get access to some exclusve stuff. Over 70,000 fans already!

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class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/jumper-300.png" alt="how to install a new hard drive" height="220" />A few months back I showed you how to href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-hard-drive/">install a second SATA drive, appropriate if your computer was bought sometime in the last 5 years or so. We also taught you all about href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/setup-hard-drive-windows/">partitions and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/format-large-hard-drive-fat-fat32/">formatting drives, and to completely href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-hard-drive-replace/">replace your old drive with a new one – but I skipped over the subject of physically installing IDE hard drives as I considered them to be too old to warrant a tutorial.

However, as some readers pointed out, the process of adding an IDE drive is significantly more difficult than a SATA drive, so in the interests of completeness and for those of you with old PCs, here is a complete tutorial for how to add a second IDE drive.

id="more-66018">

Background On IDE Interfaces

IDE was a significant limiting factor in older PCs. Though modern machines will often include a single IDE connection for the sake of backwards compatibility, most machines from the IDE era of computing were equipped with two IDE sockets – each connection being referred to as an IDE “channel”. On each channel, you could add up to 2 IDE devices – so that meant a maximum of 4 hard drives and/or CD-ROM drives.

On each channel, there is a master and a slave device. The master device is connected in the middle of the cable, and the slave at the end of the cable. Each device must also be set with a hardware switch (a jumper) as to whether it is supposed to be the master or the slave. This is where almost all headaches and problems came in.

IDE Cables

Let’s look at some standard IDE cables and connectors. There are 3 identical looking connectors – one at either end and one in the middle. However, one of the gaps between the end connectors and the middle connector is longer – this is the end that plugs into your motherboard.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ide-cable.png" alt="how to install a new hard drive" width="464" height="236" />

On the motherboard end, the socket looks like this. On my fairly modern motherboard, the cable is actually colour coded so you know which end plugs where – but more than likely your old PC won’t be, so you’ll need to figure which end of the cable is longest and plug that into the board. There is a notch on one side of the connector to prevent you plugging it in the wrong way, so make sure you align that.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/motherboard-ide-connector.jpg" alt="how to install a hard drive" width="464" height="338" />

The Drives & Jumper Settings

Whether it’s a CD-ROM drive or hard disk, IDE drives are identical in terms of connectors.

The power cable you will plug in has four female plugs in it, and will only go in one way due to the shape of it, so that shouldn’t be too hard. Take a look at one of your other devices to work out which the power cables are in your case. The IDE connector is also easy, the same as the motherboard it has a notch in it which you can align.

The difficult part is the jumper settings, which will vary according to your device. Basically, you’re looking for something that mentions CS or Cable Select, as well as Master, and Slave. There will be a diagram somewhere. The digrams indicate which pins a jumper should connect. You should be able to remove a jumper with your finger nails, if not then use a pair of very small needle nose pliers and don’t bend the pins.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ide-drives.png" alt="how to install a hard drive" width="464" height="263" />

As you can see, some drives have helpful diagrams just above the jumper pins. Others will have a note on the drive label instead:

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/drive-separate-label.jpg" alt="how to install a hard drive" width="464" height="322" />

Figure Out Your Existing IDE Scheme

It’s more than likely you currently have both a CD-ROM drive and hard disk plugged in through IDE. Write out a quick table to figure out how it is currently set up, like this:

CHANNEL 1, MASTER: /> CHANNEL 1, SLAVE: /> CHANNEL 2, MASTER: /> CHANNEL 2, SLAVE:

Probably your hard dive is configured as Channel 1 Master, with the CD-ROM either on separate channel as Master, or Slave on Channel 1.

Now figure out where your additional drive is going to go. A couple of things to consider though:

1. Try to keep your CD-ROM either on a separate channel, or as a slave.

2. The cable length will affect your choice too, as IDE cables are usually quite short. If the CD-ROM is far from the hard drives, you will need one cable for the hard drives, and another going to the CD-ROM.

Set The Jumpers & Plug In

Since I only have a single IDE CD-ROM and single hard disk to show you today (as well as only a single physical IDE connector on my motherboard), I’ve opted to make the hard disk as Master and the CD-Drive as slave.

For the CD-ROM, the diagram indicates that 2 is Slave setting. What does this mean? Well, looking at the back of the device, we have 3 pairs of pins. So, to make it a slave device, I place a jumper over the central (second) pair.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ide-cd.png" alt="install new hard drive" width="522" height="207" />

The hard disk is similar, but this time I chose “Master with Slave Present“. Then I connect the cable up, bearing in mind that the hard drive as the master should be connected to the centre of the cable, with the slave CD-ROM drive being added at the end.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/plugged-in.jpg" alt="install new hard drive" width="406" height="303" />

Note: You wouldn’t normally run devices outside of the case like this, but for the purposes of checking if they work, it’s a lot easier than unscrewing them and poking around inside a cluttered case.

Sure enough, the BIOS shows two devices loaded and functional.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bios.png" alt="how to install a new hard drive" width="464" height="346" />

Further Reading

Well, I hope that’s explained the whole IDE thing a bit more clearly. Once you’ve got it in, don’t forget to href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/format-large-hard-drive-fat-fat32/">format the drive (or learn about href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/file-system-find-runs-drives/">what a filesystem is). If you’re up for a more up to date and practical guide on adding a hard drive to your computer, my guide to href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-hard-drive/">SATA drives is probably more relevant. Don’t forget to check our fantastic href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/pc-hardware-guide-download/">downloadable guide to all computer hardware too. />
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class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/install1.jpg" alt="how to install tar gz" width="150" height="175" />Unlike Windows, installing software in class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/getting-started-guide-linux">Linux has the potential to be slightly more complicated. Unless your chosen software is already in package form or class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/repositories-package-management-ubuntu/">resides in a repository and can be installed with a simple line of text, the chances are you’re going to need to compile and install from a .TAR.GZ or .TAR.BZ2 file.

This can be a nightmare, but if you stick to the rules it shouldn’t be. If you’ve got a pesky archive that needs installing, the following method will create a package, install said package and provide a nice clean way to remove the software afterwards via your package manager. Command lines at the ready, deep breath please…

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Tarballs Of Steel

A .TAR.GZ/BZ2 file is a compressed tarball (the uncompressed extension being .TAR) which contains the raw source code for your chosen application. Installation requires these files to be compiled, processed and linked in a way that class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/ubuntu-1010-maverick-meerkat-linux/">Ubuntu can then execute the program.

The tarball format was standardised in 1988 (and again in 2001) and continues to be widely used on both Linux and Windows for the distribution of software. Originally tarballs were designed to facilitate the class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-backup-tools/">backup of data onto tape devices, not that you’ll be doing that.

If you’ve not used the Linux command line before there’s no need to worry, the commands are straight-forward and cohesive. We also have an article that should get you class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/an-introduction-to-the-linux-command-line/">up to speed with the Linux command line which will probably help you out if you’re going to be spending a lot of time there.

Preparing Your System

You’ll need to install a package called build-essential for creating the package from source and checkinstall to add it to your package manager for easy removal. This can be done quickly via the console, simply open up Terminal (Applications, Accessories, Terminal) and type:

sudo apt-get install build-essential checkinstall

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/instalpackages.png" alt="how to install tar gz" width="580" height="332" />

Allow time for these to download and install, and once done you may also want to install version management software for upgrades, though you can always do this later. In any case, these three will do the trick:

sudo apt-get install subversion git-core mercurial

Next you’ll want a common directory to use when building these packages. You can technically put this anywhere, as long as it is writeable. The official Ubuntu documentation recommends /usr/local/src so we’ll stick with that:

sudo chown $USER /usr/local/src

Then make sure it’s writeable:

sudo chmod u+rwx /usr/local/src

Finally we’ll also install apt-file, which is used to resolve any dependency issues you encounter:

sudo apt-get install apt-file

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/apt-file.png" alt="" width="556" height="425" />

You’ll probably get a pop-up telling you need to update apt-file, if not run the following command and let it finish:

sudo apt-file update

Once you’ve done this, you’ll never need to do it again as your system will be prepared for any tarballs you throw at it.

Extract & Configure

Assuming you’ve already downloaded a mysterious .TAR.GZ file you’re first going to need to move it to your designated build folder (I used /usr/local/src). You can do this with your class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/nautilus-elementary-simplifies-file-browsing-linux/">normal file browser, and once done, open up a new Terminal.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/tarinsrc.png" alt="" width="580" height="145" />

Change to the build folder by typing:

cd /usr/local/src

Next extract the archive. For .TAR.GZ files type:

tar -xzvf <filename>.tar.gz

And for .TAR.BZ2 files type:

tar -xjvf <filename>.tar.bz2

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/untarpmw.png" alt="" width="568" height="416" />

If all went well you’ll see a long list of extracted files, like in the screenshot above. Don’t close the Terminal yet, we’re not done.

It is at this point I urge you to navigate to the folder your archive just created (with your usual file browser) and open either README or INSTALL should the files exist. If your particular software requires a different method to the one I’m about to go into then this file will hold the key. You can save yourself a lot of hassle by doing this.

You may also be able to choose different install options depending on the software, and the INSTALL or README will stipulate what these are. The files may have no extension, but are plain text and should open in Gedit or any text editor you choose.

As a general rule, the following commands will install your software with the default installation method.

Your tarball will have been extracted to a folder with the same name as the file, so change to this folder with the cd command you used earlier, like so:

cd /usr/local/src/<extracted folder>

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/changetopmw.png" alt="install tar gz" width="580" height="65" />

Replace <extracted folder> with the name of the folder the archive created. Next you’ll need to configure the source files by typing:

./configure

Note: If your software does not have a configure file, you might want to try skipping straight to the Build & Install section of this article, though consult your INSTALL or README documentation first.

If you receive an error message related to autoconf, then you’ll need to install it by typing:

sudo apt-get install autoconf

Then run ./configure again.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/configure.png" alt="install tar gz" width="568" height="416" />

This command will verify whether you have all the installed packages required to use your software. You can use apt-file which you installed earlier to fill in the blanks.

If you do receive an error (something like configure: error: Library requirements ... not met) have a look for the file not found above the error message, then using apt-file search by typing:

apt-file search <filename>.<extension>

This will tell you which package the file you require is in, so you can download it using:

sudo apt-get install <package>

This won’t necessarily always happen, but it is very useful if you don’t have the required dependencies.

When you’re satisfied you’ve got the packages (if you needed any) run the ./configure command again.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/configuresuccess.png" alt="how to install a tar gz file ubuntu" width="580" height="235" />

If all went well you’ll see config.status: creating Makefile – congratulations, you’re very nearly there! Lots of people give up before they get to this point, but you’re better than that.

Build & Install

Into the same Terminal window type:

make

Sit back, grab a coffee and breathe for a second. Depending on the size of your install this can take a while.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/make.png" alt="how to install a tar gz file ubuntu" width="580" height="132" />

Now you can install the program with the following command:

sudo checkinstall

Follow the on-screen prompts, add a description for your software and hit Enter on this screen:

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/checkinstall.png" alt="install tar gz" width="568" height="416" />

If everything went well you’ll see Installation Successful. Pat yourself on the back. You’ve done well.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/youWIN.png" alt="how to install a tar gz file ubuntu" width="568" height="416" />

Your software should now be installed to /usr/local/bin and you’ll be able to run it from there without any problems.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/pmwinbin.png" alt="how to install tar gz" width="580" height="176" />

Did you make it all the way through? Isn’t it easier just waiting for a package or getting it from the repositories? Maybe you found it… easy? Let us know in the comments. />
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I highly recommend for those who are clueless as to how to fix problems with Registry Fix install – take one minute of your time and read these brief guidelines. Over time as pcs and windows systems get more complex, unfortunately, they can become uncertain when you bring up the subject of consistency and usefulness. Keep reading this brief article – i will demonstrate to you how to, once and for all, handle such problems.

Click here to fix problems with Registry Fix install now!

Naturally, you’re feeling very frustrated when you experience these problems, therefore, i’ll help you fix these problems as quickly as possible. A significant, if not the most significant, area of the windows operating system is the registry system; if it should happen to become damaged, various error messages and other problems can appear. The registry is responsible for the control of your computer’s various sw and hw elements; if it gets corrupted, your windows will sometimes become unable to perform well. But there’s hope! on the web, one can find applications produced specifically for that one very crucial task of keeping your windows system free of these unanticipated errors. You may be surprised to discover with these solutions a wide range of trouble spots, even new problems that could inconvenience you later on.

If you try to run your word processor for instance, what goes on behind the scenes is that windows has to locate the correct paths within the registry; just think what might occur if it got unexpectedly corrupted. It appears that these tools can be the solution for those who might not have the expertise, the time, or the money to manage these irritating troubles with windows. If it happens that you decide to try and fix your registry the hard way (manually), i strongly recommend that you back up the registry system before you begin.

It’s therefore essential that if you’re called on to fix problems with Registry Fix install before all else, the important thing to do is to see if your registry system is fully operational. Useless registry keys can actually clog up and slow down your windows os and the best method to locate the useless keys is to let these utilities do the job for you. To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to confirm the working order of windows registry on a regular basis – once a week or more. These days, users have become very knowledgeable about their pcs, so they like to be able to fix their own computer problems all by themselves, whenever possible. Adhering to the simple directions i’ve made available here you’ll be able to significantly improve all your computer-related activities – whether for work or for play.

class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/buddypress-logo.gif" alt="wordpress plugin buddypress" />Have you ever felt like running your very own social networking site?  I know I have.  Have I actually got up and done it?  Not yet.  But with WordPress 3.0 it is now easy to set one up.

A while back Damien wrote an article about class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-build-a-social-networking-site-using-wordpress/">how to install and run your very own social network using WordPress.  At the time you had to download and install WordPress MU (or WordPress Multi User) in order to install BuddyPress and therefore to have your own social network.

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Since the advent of WordPress 3.0, regular WordPress and WordPress MU has now been merged together.  In other words, if you have upgraded your blog to WordPress 3.0, you have the features of MU built right in.  You just have to class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/turn-wordpress-blog-blog-network-wordpress-30/">activate them.

This is good news for someone who wants to use BuddyPress because they don’t have to download and install WordPress MU.  Check out how easy it is now to install BuddyPress now that we have WordPress 3.0.

1. Activate Networking Abilities Of WordPress 3.0.

It’s kind of a mystery to me why the multi-site abilities of WordPress 3.0 are hidden behind a few hacks but they are.  WordPress 3.0 does not act like MU right out of the box.  Check out this article about class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/turn-wordpress-blog-blog-network-wordpress-30/">how to turn your WordPress blog into a blog network using WordPress 3.0.  Do what’s outlined there and you’ll be ready to move on to the next step.

2. Install The BuddyPress Plugin

Installing the BuddyPress plugin (it’s actually a group of plugins packed together) is as easy as installing any WordPress plugin.  Just head to the plugins section of the Admin screen and search for Buddypress.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/buddypress_plugininstall.png" alt="wordpress plugin buddypress" width="546" height="167" />

Just make sure it is the correct plugin and you’re good to go.

3. Activate A BuddyPress Compatible WordPress Theme

After installing the proper plugin, you’ll probably get a message saying: “You’ll need to activate a BuddyPress compatible theme to take advantage of all of the features. We’ve bundled a default theme, but you can always install some other compatible themes or upgrade your existing WordPress theme.”

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/buddypress_thememessage.png" alt="installing buddypress" width="498" height="99" />

If you don’t have one downloaded already, click the “install some other compatible themes” link.  For the time being I chose to use the default theme.

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/buddypress_defaulttheme.png" alt="installing buddypress" width="580" height="247" />

style="text-align: left;">That’s all there really is to setting up BuddyPress on WordPress 3.0.  It’s as easy as enabling networking, installing a plugin and installing a compatible theme.  From here it’s up to you to find a niche and users to use this tool.  Take some time and become familiar with some of the features before you get too many users asking for help.  Check out these features:

1. Activity Streams – See What Everyone Is Up To

style="text-align: left;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/buddypress_activitystream.png" alt="installing buddypress" width="523" height="341" />

style="text-align: left;">You can view the activity streams of individuals, groups or even the whole site.

2. Extended Profiles – “About Me” Pages For Users

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/buddypress_profile.png" alt="buddypress" width="499" height="424" />

You have control over what fields users can fill in to describe themselves.  They can upload an avatar too.

3. Private Messaging

style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/buddypress_privatemessaging.png" alt="wordpress plugin buddypress" width="327" height="154" />

Private messaging is like an internal email system.  Send messages to other users that only they can see (image from the  class="vt-p" href="http://buddypress.org/">BuddyPress homepage).

There’s also other features common to social networking like friend connecting, blogging, and discussion forums.  Check these out at the class="vt-p" href="http://buddypress.org/">BuddyPress homepage.  Also try out the test site by going to class="vt-p" href="http://testbp.org">testbp.org and signing up for an account.

style="text-align: left;">Is BuddyPress the only way to create your own social networking site?  No.  There are what Damien called “3rd party social network providers.”  Check out class="vt-p" href="http://www.groupsite.com">Groupsite to create a free network without having to handle all of the installation and setting up.  As we know, there are pluses and minuses to both but your needs may dictate which direction you choose to go in.

style="text-align: left;">Do you run a social networking site?  What do you use to do it?  We want to know.

/>Do you like MakeUseOf articles? Don’t forget to target="_blank" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/share-share-share-spread-word/">share our articles with others! It’s really important to us.

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You’re ready to take the plunge – do you know a safe and effective method to download audio hardware drivers? It’s worth your while to scan these helpful guidelines first – it’ll surely have an impact on your present techniques. Your windows’ various parts need occasional updating, and your drivers can become obsolete or damaged – do you take any measures to maintain your various drivers intact? I strongly advise you, before your next web search for drivers, to hear what i have to say in this brief but informative report – it’s sure to save you some hassles and headaches!

Click here to download audio hardware drivers now!

You’ve likely encountered the common and frustrating case that many of us run into where you need particular drivers and a quick web search leads back to square one: where do i find what i need? No matter what, in a situation where you seek for drivers, always try to verify you choose a legitimate and state-of-the-art version of the called-for driver(s). What are drivers anyway? This is a type of software which contains essential data on an application or peripheral device so your pc will be able to actually activate it. As you can tell, drivers can be a difficult area, but there happens to be a program which first of all examines all your devices and then quickly finds the latest version of the correct driver(s). After a simple installation of your new scanner tool, it will detect corrupted and outdated drivers and instantly replace them with new versions.

In our fast-paced society, we simply lack the necessary hours and skills to take care of our computer’s many drivers. Such a utility achieves more than a simple auto-update feature of windows as it discovers and replaces as necessary the drivers that may be found on your computer. Stay away from any drivers which were obtained from uncertain urls – believe me, you want to steer clear of trojan horses, worms etc.

Any computer user who’s about to download audio hardware drivers – the technique you’ve just become aware of brings many advantages that weren’t available in past solutions. Overall, these tools are the way to go for anyone who uses a pc, but especially for anyone who isn’t very technically-inclined or informed about these components. So now i heartily recommend that you “test drive” one of these utilities – see how it works and how it finds/updates the driver(s) that you were searching for. With each passing day, computers are growing ever more complicated and powerful; and eventually this means more potential problems and lost time for the end user. Now that you’ve reached the end of this article, hopefully you have enjoyed reading it and i’m sure it helped you to find a solution to your driver(s) issue.

Drivers got you down? i will enlighten you on a sure way to scout out and get a Windows XP sound driver without risking your pc by visiting sites that you’re uncertain of. Finding a proper driver for your various computer devices can often become a difficult assignment. I’ll get you going by sharing a little trick about drivers; you can avoid losing precious minutes (or hours) and frustration.

Click here to get a Windows XP sound driver now!

Before we go on, i need to warn you that by installing the wrong drivers for a device, it might not run as it should and you may start to see various windows errors. It’s crucial that you use reliable drivers, not only for the performance of a particular component, but also for the windows system as a whole. Conveying required information between your system and a device, the driver is an essential element of your pc, and if you try using the wrong one, you can’t operate any of your devices. Now there’s an easy to use system which conducts a search of your computer’s current hw and sw, and when required effortlessly installs or updates the correct drivers that your pc calls for. The great thing about this scanner is its power to seek out impaired or outdated drivers and promptly replace those old ones with new versions.

As you can already understand, it’s not common for drivers to get out-dated or corrupted, so remember that the next time you find yourself dealing with headaches related to this issue. These effective tools can be of great assistance to people like you and me who might be nervous managing such crucial files alone – who wouldn’t be? Drivers are critical files; if you opt to manipulate them on your own, be sure to use extreme caution if you want to avoid problems.

Try it and see – when you use such program to get a Windows XP sound driver, you’ll learn how in need of maintenance your pc is when you happen to consider these crucial files. Here’s a great solution that takes care of your driver(s) situation comparable to the solution you use to periodically upgrade your windows. I always say that seeing is believing, so experiment with this application and see if it’s as good as it sounds – it’s a win-win situation for you and your pc. There’s no doubt in my mind that very soon people all around the world will check out these very useful solutions and add them to their pc’s maintenance toolbox. You have options regarding pc upkeep, but something that you should definitely do is use this utility to replace your corrupted drivers; it’s fast and easy and your reward will be a high-performing computer.

In the following quick article i would like to provide you with an amazing tip on how to locate and download a Realtek audio driver for Windows XP – like you’ve never seen before. Like any other windows component, drivers tend to get outdated and corrupted – do you take any measures to maintain your various drivers intact? Before you conduct another driver search on the internet, be sure to follow this quick and important guide – it can save you a lot of trouble.

Click here to download a Realtek audio driver for Windows XP now!

I hope that you are aware of the fact that by default many of the drivers that are installed on your pc are probably outdated. Wouldn’t it be just great if there was something that could automatically search, install, and maintain all your drivers for you? Whether you already know it or not, a driver is a program that acts like a translator between a device and programs that use that device. In my last search for a specific driver i bumped into an automatic driver detector that easily finds the reliable version of any possible driver in just seconds. This is a smart tool that you need to install and in about 2 minutes you can get your entire pc drivers up-to-date.

Most of us (if not all) haven’t got the time and ability to track and maintain dozens of drivers. This solution accomplishes your automated windows update as it detects and refreshes all the third party drivers that are installed on your pc. Never try to install drivers that were downloaded from random websites – it may infect your pc with computer viruses.

Following what we’ve discussed in this article finding a safe way to download a Realtek audio driver for Windows XP is no longer a time consuming or a risky assignment as it used to be. Always remember that it is enough for one small corrupted driver to cause you serious problems and in some cases even crash your windows. I always say that seeing is believing, so give it a try and see for yourself if it found your driver – after all, you’ve got nothing to lose. Let’s just hope that maybe in the future our windows update feature would offer automatic updates to these critical files as well. By the end of this quick guide i hope that you found it interesting and that it helped you to find what you were looking for.

Just a minute! if you’re about to get an audio driver for Windows XP and get it set up on your system, i strongly recommend that you go about it very methodically. Windows errors? the majority of users haven’t realized the fact that in many cases it is because of drivers that are out-of-date. Let me teach you the essential facts on the subject of drivers; it is going to save you both time and steer clear of mishaps.

Click here to get an audio driver for Windows XP now!

I believe that most pc users aren’t fully aware of the truth that driver designers regularly update their drivers due to functionality problems, performance issues, supporting new software versions, etc. Think back – how much time did you spend when you last attempted to find a particular driver necessary to operate one of your components? Perhaps we should describe a driver’s function: a driver is a program that has the job of communicating between a printer, memory stick, keyboard, etc., and the software that controls it. Fortunately for all of us, now you can take advantage of a utility that spontaneously seeks out, fixes, and updates virtually any driver on your pc. Such a tool not only has the ability to find all your required drivers; it updates your video card, network card and hard drive driver(s), and others.

The windows os makes use of many drivers; as you likely already know, updating them by hand is almost too unreasonable to consider. I was amazed to discover that many of these applications are able to get whatever driver(s) you require, even one that is not presently obtainable from the original site. Perhaps you’d rather install drivers yourself; just avoid a lot of wasted time and ensure that what you’re downloading is suitable for your windows os.

Obviously, if they knew about it, most people would appreciate being able to get an audio driver for Windows XP by employing such a user-friendly technique instead of visiting sometimes questionable sites. It would be a relief, wouldn’t it – all the many windows headaches that you can escape with the convenience of having your drivers always kept up to date. Do you need proof? why take my word for it – try this tool out and prepare for it to detect your drivers – don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Of course, there are many preventive maintenance issues to think about from time to time to keep things running well – no doubt that this issue is a valid point of concern. An additional tip – if you’re one of the many users with a pc that is unreliable and often freezes simply updating its drivers is a good idea and it may easily solve these problems.

Are you confident in your understanding of the best way to get a Windows XP direct sound driver? Wait until you’ll read the following quick article – it is going to change how you download drivers. You’re probably familiar with the fact that a large portion of your programs and devices can’t be used without the right drivers. It happens to be that i can help you with a little trick about drivers; you can avoid losing precious minutes (or hours) and steer clear of mishaps.

Click here to get a Windows XP direct sound driver now!

In many cases computer users accidentally end up trying to utilize defective drivers and unfortunately this is the point where they start experiencing assorted difficulties with their computer. Be sure you’re using the right driver(s) – not simply for the operation of an individual device, but in addition for your windows system’s ‘well-being’ and efficiency. In case this is new to you, let’s explain the term “driver”: keeping it as simple as possible, it’s a type of software that controls a device, for example a memory stick, monitor, or even windows, and so on. Now there is a specialized utility which allows you to find the most up-to-date and compatible version of the driver(s) you need. Not only does it enable you to find any driver, but it even brings up to date your mouse, keyboard and hard drive driver, and others.

Windows system has many drivers; as you’ve perhaps already experienced, personally managing all of them is a virtually hopeless situation. I was amazed to discover that it’s not uncommon for these programs to find a specific driver(s), even though it is perhaps not presently obtainable from the original site. In any case, i suggest that you keep a back-up of your drivers on an external device of some sort- just as you do with any important files.

This utility is quite smart – whatever your present needs are – whether to get a Windows XP direct sound driver or a sound card driver, it quickly ‘fetches’ exactly what you need. So here’s your solution – it maintains your drivers updated comparable to the solution you use to update your windows system. I always say that seeing is believing, so “test drive” this utility and prepare for it to detect your drivers – after all, you’ve got nothing to lose. Let’s just hope that maybe in the future our windows update feature would provide routine modifications to such crucial files as these. Is it possible? will the ideas furnished in the paragraphs above modify your driver search routine? Put it to the test and see for yourself.