Solve common hardware problems

The wrong router
Q I’ve been given a wireless-N router but cannot find a way to attach it to my phone line. My old router had a phone input that worked fine but although this router has a port labelled WAN, it’s too big for the cable from my telephone socket. Is there an adapter I can buy for this?

A It sounds like you have been given a router that’s designed for use with a cable broadband service (in the UK, cable broadband is provided by Virgin Media). If your old router worked by connecting the phone line directly to it, you have what’s known as an ADSL broadband service, which is provided over the phone line.

If you want to use this new router, you will need to buy a separate ADSL modem; the phone line will plug direct into this, and a standard network cable will link the modem to the WAN port on the router.

However, this isn’t ideal as it means having another device that needs to be plugged into a power socket. Instead, it’s best to buy a wireless-N router that’s designed for ADSL broadband (these will sometimes be labelled as ‘broadband routers’).

Contact your ISP, as they may be able to offer you one at a discount if you’re willing to sign up for a new fixed-term contract.

DVD drive won’t open
Q My computer’s DVD drive has jammed shut – no matter how many times I push the button on the front it just won’t open, and there’s a disc inside. How can I get it open?

A Almost all DVD drives have a small hole at the front that acts as a quick-release for the drive. To use this, insert a small object (a straightened paper clip is perfect) into the hole and push firmly. The drive door should now pop open a small amount, allowing you to pull the tray out and retrieve the disc.

If you have to do this repeatedly, though, the drive is probably malfunctioning: if so, a replacement is often inexpensive. Our video shows how to install a new DVD drive.

PC myth – is a dual-core processor twice as fast as a single-core one?
Q I’m thinking of buying a new computer. If I opt for a computer with a dual-core processor, will it be twice as fast as one with a single-core processor running at the same speed?

A In theory, a dual-core processor has the potential to be almost twice as fast as a single-core model; the fact the two cores need to communicate with each other means it can’t quite double the speed.

Similarly, a quad-core processor has the potential to be nearly four-times as fast. However, the reality is very different since a lot of software isn’t designed to use two or more cores efficiently or even at all.

Multi-core processors can boost general Windows performance, though, particularly if you want to run tasks such as scanning with an anti-virus tool while doing something else. So, although multi-core processors are generally faster than their single-core counterparts, you shouldn’t expect to double speeds with a dual-core nor quadruple them with a quad-core.

How can I upgrade my laptop to get Bluetooth?
Q I regularly synchronise the calendar on my mobile phone with my laptop using the USB cable that came with the phone. I’ve noticed a Bluetooth option within the software that allows this to be done wirelessly, but I’m pretty sure the laptop doesn’t have Bluetooth. How can I tell if my laptop has Bluetooth and, if it doesn’t, can I upgrade it?

A To find out if your laptop has Bluetooth, click Start, right-click Computer (or My Computer in XP). Click Device Manager (this is under the Hardware tab in XP) and locate the Network Adapters entry.

Double-click this entry to expand it. If your laptop has Bluetooth the adapter will be listed here. If it’s not listed, you’ll need to purchase a separate USB Bluetooth adapter.

If you plan to leave the adapter permanently connected to your laptop, it’s best to go for one of the smaller models such as the Belkin Mini Bluetooth adapter (around £7) since it’s less likely to be damaged when you move the laptop around.

What graphics drivers does my laptop need?
Q I can’t find out what graphics card my laptop has. Since I would like to play games on it, I want to make sure I have the latest driver for the graphics card. The only clue is the Nvidia sticker on the laptop.

A The best place to head is Nvidia’s website. Click on the Download Drivers link and, in the resulting screen under Option 2, click the Graphics Drivers button. The website will then scan your laptop, detect the exact model of the graphics card and update the drivers accordingly.

It’s worth bearing in mind, however, that the majority of laptops aren’t suited to the latest 3D games so don’t be surprised if they run slowly or even not at all. For laptops that use ATI graphics, visit Amd's website instead.

How can I control multiple PCs ?
Q I have two computers and that means two keyboards, two mice and two displays on the desk. Is there a way to use one keyboard, mouse and display without continually unplugging and connecting them?

A The best method is to purchase something called a KVM switch, which is a small box that sits between your PCs and a single keyboard, mouse and display. Using a button on the switch, it’s possible to quickly switch between PCs. There are plenty of KVM switches to choose from, with the Trendnet TK-207K being one example.

Why is my laptop battery getting worse?
Q My laptop is nearly five years old and I have noticed that the battery life is nothing like what it used to be. Is this normal for laptop batteries and is there anything I can do about it?

A Laptop batteries, like all types of battery, have a limited lifespan and will deteriorate over time. If you have used your laptop frequently over the past five years, it’s not surprising that the battery life has noticeably decreased.

There’s very little you can do to return the battery to its former glory but you can take steps to reduce your laptop’s power requirements. Wireless networking places a big strain on the battery, so it’s a good idea to switch it off when not in use (there’s usually a shortcut on the keyboard to do this).

Similarly, reducing the screen’s brightness can help. Replacement batteries are available but they are expensive and you will need one specifically designed for your laptop; contact your laptop’s manufacturer for more information.

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