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Hardware Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions related to computer hardware
What does OEM mean?
OEM stands for "Original Equipment Manufacturer". OEM normally refers to a company that produces hardware to be sold under another company's brand. Dell, for example, may not design or manufacture the DVD Player in the computer they sell, but purchase the player from another factory and then assemble it into the computers they sell.
Are used computers a "safe buy"?
Think about used computers the same way you would a used car. If it's the only one you own, you're taking chances. If it's a stand-by that you don't have to depend on for your livelihood, then it may be a good decision. Depending on the design of the used computer, it may be possible to upgrade critical components to increase the likelihood of future dependability.
My computer is several years old. Is it upgradable?
That's a complicated question. The simple answer is that most computers can be upgraded to the limits of the original design architecture. There's a threshold where it may not be cost-effective to do so. This threshold is normally measured on a cost vs. performance basis.
What's the least expensive way to speed up my computer?
1: Keeping the registry clean and operating system optimized costs very little. A quality system cleanup utility program may cost less than $40.
2: Depending on your hardware and operating system, system memory (RAM) is the first and easiest hardware option.
3: If your computer uses the main board to supply video output, you can free up a substantial amount of system RAM by adding a video card.
My computer is less than a year old, but it's running much slower than when I bought it. Why?
1: All computers slow down as you add more more software requirements that may be processing in the background. Sometimes all that's needed is a simple cleanup of the registry and startup settings.
2: Not all software is designed to be memory-friendly. You may have installed a program that uses more memory or CPU resources than your computer has available.
3: There may be malware installed into your operating system that uses system resources without you knowing it.