Although the abbreviation IDE is popularly used in reference to hard drive interface connections, ATA (AT Attachment – AT refers to the Advanced Technology motherboard form factor) is also used. IDE and ATA are the same thing. The term Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) is owned by Western Digital, so other companies, including Maxtor, Quantum and Seagate, use the term ATA instead. Upon reflection, it is interesting that most computer users refer to hard drives as IDE while manufacturers use the ATA term. Each of the ATA specifications is rated for different speeds and all ATA specifications are backwards compatible, so even the oldest ATA-1 hard drives can be run on the latest Ultra ATA buses.

THE FLAVORS OF ATA

• ATA-1, the first ATA specification, was rated for 8.3 MB/sec (MegaBytes per second) of throughput and was introduced in the mid-1980s.
  
• ATA-2, also known as Fast ATA, was introduced in 1994 and doubled the transfer rate to 16.6 MB/sec.
  
• ATA-3, introduced in 1997, added a number of interface improvements along with error reporting. The third specification did not increase the speed of ATA.
  
• ATA-4 heralded the age of “Ultra”. Quantum introduced the the moniker Ultra to denote the faster speeds the standard could achieve. This term played well with motherboard and hard drive manufacturers and stuck with successive ATA revisions. ATA-4, also known as ATA-33 and Ultra ATA/33, doubled the transfer rate to 33.3 MB/sec.
  
• ATA-5, also known as ATA-66 or Ultra ATA/66, doubled the speed of ATA yet again to 66.6 MB/sec.
  
• ATA-6 (Ultra ATA/100) did not double the speed like the others, topping out at only 100 MB/sec.
  
• ATA-7, the current and final revision of the ATA specification, reached the ceiling of the interface’s limit, supports a maximum of 133 MB/sec.

Direct Memory Access

The term Ultra DMA also came to be known. DMA stands for Direct Memory Access and is a method, starting with ATA-2, by which data could be transferred directly to the computer’s memory without the help of the processor, or without as much help. This method is also referred to as “Bus Mastering.” DMA essentially frees up the processor to do other more important jobs like process data for applications. ATA-1, by comparison, used an older transfer method called Programmed Input/Ouput (PIO) that relies heavily on the CPU to transfer data to and from the hard drive. Hard drives still support PIO modes and revert to this older standard when the computer has driver problems or is running in safe mode. The difference in hard drive performance between PIO and DMA is noticeable.

The ATA Speed Limit

Since copper wire and copper interconnects are used to transfer electrical signals and data between chips and devices, inherent issues almost always crop up when data speeds and voltages are increased. With Ultra ATA/133, the limits of the original ATA specification have pretty much been reached. Crosstalk and signal noise, two interference issues that board designers battle even today when two copper interconnects are placed too close together. To fight this problem, starting with Ultra ATA/66 drives, 80-wire cables replaced the standard 40-wire ribbon cable used to connect hard drives to EIDE sockets. 80-wire cables contain 40 more ground wires that sit in-between the hot wires that carry data; these extra ground wires add insulation and stability to high-speed communications. Since the newer 80-wire cables have the same 40-hold plug, they fit into the same 40-pin socket. Detection technology is built into the Ultra ATA controller to detect which cable is used and which speeds are safe.

The ATA specification has other issues as well. Since motherboards only contain two EIDE sockets supporting two drives apiece, IDE is limited to two drives a chain. This is a problem since the ATA specification uses a parallel bus interface. Parallel buses are shared channels that transmit data over several wires simultaneously. As such, no other data can be transferred from other devices until the data from the first drive is finished. This can be an issue when two drives are connected to the same cable; they have to take turns to communicate. Also, IDE drives attached to the same cable must be configured as either master and slave. Pins on the drive are jumpered with little plastic connectors to specify whether the drive is the first or the second or slave drive so the computer knows which is which. This can be confusing to those wanting to add another hard drive to their system.

http://geekspeak.org/articles/hard_drive_technologies/

Recently we’ve been getting a lot of questions from people who basically have the same problem – they’ve assembled a PC but it won’t start up correctly!

There is a standard troubleshooting procedure for that scenario which everyone should follow, and I’ll describe it to you in a moment. But first let me address a few common issues for people whose older PC won’t start any more:

* Does it ‘hang’ when it’s loading Windows or when it reaches the desktop?

If so your problem is most likely a software one and NOT a hardware problem. You should, of course, check that all the cooling fans are working (especially the ones on the processor and the video card) in case overheating is a problem. If you have two or more sticks of RAM which are from different manufacturers you could try using them one at a time in case a RAM mismatch is causing the problem. But other than that the only real way to see if it’s a software or a hardware problem is to try running it with a fresh, clean installation of Windows.
Go buy a second hard drive. Extra storage space is always worth having and they’re quite inexpensive. Swap your current drive out, put the new one in, and load Windows onto it. If all runs fine you know for certain that the problem is in your original Windows installation. If not you’ve got a second hard drive to use once you track down the hardware problem and fix it!

* Have you recently changed internal hardware items?
Added RAM? Changed a display card? Added or changed a drive? Whatever the internal change has been, if the machine won’t start afterwards you’ve got clues to where the problem lies. Remove the recently added device or component and try again. If it still won’t start have a good look inside to ensure you haven’t dislodged or damaged some other component while you were working in there. Make sure everything is firmly in place.

* Have you reset CMOS?

No, setting it to default in BIOS Setup isn’t good enough. When you make changes to the hardware of a PC you need to physically reset the CMOS memory, either by ’shorting’ a jumper on the mainboard or by removing the CMOS battery and waiting several minutes at least before replacing it. A vast number of instances where machines won’t start up are simply the result of changes made without resetting CMOS afterwards.

* Did you ensure that the power was switched off at the mains before working inside the PC?

Shutting down Windows isn’t good enough. Modern ATX motherboards still have power running through them after Windows has been shut down! You must either switch off at the wall outlet or remove the power cord before opening it up to perform internal work. Damage to components can ensue if you make hardware changes when the motherboard is still receiving power.
Now, back to the original point of this post.
* Does your newly assembled PC refuse to POST?

Even without a hard drive fitted, your machine should run the Power On Self Test. If it doesn’t, then it is either incorrectly assembled or it contains a faulty component. You should be getting the memory check, the device detection information, and perhaps an ‘Operating System not found” message.
Unfortunately, although PCs are quite easy to assemble, putting the whole thing together before trying it to see if it works is far from the ideal approach. If the entire PC is fully assembled, tracking down the reason for the failure can become a nightmare. The ‘bare bones’ approach is far better when assembling, and far better when troubleshooting. If your system is already fully assembled, go back several steps and try again.
The ‘bare bones’ PC contains only the following components:
- Motherboard
- Processor
- Processor heatsink/fan unit, connected to power
- A video card if there is no onboard video available
- One RAM module (unless the RAM is of a type which requires installing in pairs. ‘Dual channel’ RAM is NOT such a type!)
- The front panel connectors for Power Switch, Power LED and case speaker attached to the motherboard
- The ATX connector connected and supplying power to the motherboard. – The P4 power connector attached also if required. A molex connector attached to the display card if required.
That’s it. Attach monitor and keyboard and see if it’ll POST. Reset CMOS and try again if it doesn’t. If you are building a new system stop at this point and try it out. If you’re troubleshooting a fully assembled PC strip it back to this point and try!
If the PC won’t POST in this configuration you need to determine why before proceeding:
*check power switch and LED connectors. If they are reversed the system won’t start
* check that the processor is correctly fitted
* try a different RAM module
* ensure that the display card is correcxtly seated.
* get a technician to check it over if you can’t locate the cause
Once the ‘bare bones’ system is operational, add other components one by one. Try starting the machine after every addition to check that it will still POST. This is the ONLY procedure by which you can adequately and effectively troubleshoot where a hardware problem lies.
‘Other components’ includes additional RAM modules, add in cards, drives, etc etc etc….
If your are troubleshooting a system which has already had Windows installed to a hard drive, add that drive last so that the system doesn’t continually try to boot into Windows.
If you strike problems and need to post a new thread about your problem, include the following information:
* Identification details (make and model) of all components
* Full details of any onscreen error messages
* Full description of any BIOS ‘beep’ codes emitted through the internal speaker.

Cheers, and good luck with it.

http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread27079.html

Whenever we hear the word school, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is that it is an institution commonly seen in countries and states. More than a commonly seen institution, however, it is a place where minds are molded and enhanced to produce the future leaders, entrepreneurs and contributors to society. This is why it is considered as one of the most important, if not the most, institutions in every country. This is where the highly prioritized education takes place, the one institution that provides opportunities where jobs await.

Today we are in the twentieth century, where we are experiencing technology like never before. If ten years ago access to the internet was only considered a dream, today it is a reality, a reality undertaken by every kind of person, from most countries and for every age range. The emergence of computer software programs and high-tech gadgets is now just an everyday thing. Technology nowadays allows us comfort and convenience in going through our daily activities. Manual paper works are now a thing of the past, for computers and computer programs make the organization of documents a lot easier. With the changing times, people with their respective institutions also try to adapt by making the most out of what technology can offer.

It is not far-fetched, then, to say that we are experiencing the advent of technology. People realize that the speed that it offers, with which we able to finish work and gather information, enables us to have more time on our hands. This time can be more productively spent doing more important things. In the case of schools, this means that more time can be used in the honing of the student body.

A lot of manpower and time is used up in making paper works, documenting the ones submitted and organizing them. This type of organization is also prone to losses in important documents and to mistakes, for one could only imagine the mountain load of paper works that the school staff has to address to. This is a problem that a lot of schools usually face. One solution to this is the school management software.

What is school management software?

School management software is one that helps in documenting and organizing student paper works, as well as responding to parent queries automatically, through online use. It is systematic and methodical in its approach, and unlike manual documentation and organization, the school management software allows you to see student or administration records in a few clicks on your computer. This is infinitely more convenient than manually browsing through records.

What are the advantages of using this software?

This can be more efficient, considering the thousands of paper works and documents that a school must possess. Efficient because you need only do them by computer, and this program helps in organizing records. Thus, fewer mistakes are made than in manually handling them. Manually maintaining paperwork also takes up a lot of time from the faculty staff, and thus lessens their attention to the most important aspect of school: the students education. School management software significantly minimizes the time used in doing paperwork, and thus the staff can devote more time to the students learning. It can also offer autoresponders, wherein the parents queries are answered automatically. This, in effect, saves staff from time spent in manually responding to these queries.

Article Source: http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/44030/66/more-efficient-management-with-school-software.html

Kingston is cranking up its solid state drive offering with a second-generation model line named SSDNow V+. Most notable in this new generation is Windows 7 TRIM support, which will help keep performance of the drive consistent throughout its use.

“The new SSDNow V+ is an ideal solid-state drive for high-level consumers and in corporate environments where efficiency and performance are important as more system resources are in use,” said Ariel Perez, SSD business manager, Kingston. “Users will be more productive as the drive now features TRIM support, is available in higher capacities and is speedier overall with improved read/write speeds.”

The SSDNow V+ expands its size offerings to include 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB capacities. As part of Kingston’s goal to provide an easy upgrade path, the drive is also available with a bundle that includes cloning software, 2.5″ USB enclosure, 2.5″ to 3.5″ mounting brackets and SATA data and power cables.

Kingston SSDNow V+ Features and Specifications:

• Sequential Speed: 230MB/sec. read; 180MB/sec. write
  
• Innovative: 2.5″ form factor; uses MLC NAND Flash memory components
  
• Silent: runs silent and cool with no moving parts
  
• Shock Resistant: no moving mechanical parts means the SSD handles rougher conditions
  
• Supports S.M.A.R.T.: Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology
  
• Guaranteed: three-year Kingston warranty, 24/7 tech support
  
• Interface: SATA 1.5Gb/sec. and 3.0Gb/sec.
  
• Capacity: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
  
• Storage temperatures: -40° C to 85° C
  
• Operating temperatures: 0° C to 70° C
  
• Dimensions: 69.85mm x 100mm x 9.5mm
  
• Weight: 84 grams
  
• Vibration operating: 2.17G
  
• Vibration non-operating: 20G
  
• Operating Shock: 1500G
  
• Power specs: 2.6W active; 0.15W idle
  
• Life expectancy: 1,000,000 hours MTBF
  
  

  http://www.tomshardware.com/news/kingston-ssd-now-trim-windows,9510.html

The scariest ‘computer incident’ could ever happen onto a person is when he loses his data to an unknown person due to data thief. Formatting your computer via Windows build in format tool is just not good enough. Knowledgable geeks with the right tool might be able to extract the ‘formatted’ data.

How else do you think the police are capable of catching these pedophiles and their huge child porn videos in their computer hard disk? Not to discount the fact that prior to the raid, these pedophiles tried to burn their hard disk.

CopyWipe is a utility for copying or securely overwriting (wiping/erasing) entire hard drives. CopyWipe can ease and expedite the transition to a new hard drive by copying the entire contents of one drive to another. CopyWipe can also help prevent confidential or private data from being recovered, by securely wiping the contents of a drive.

There is no such thing as guarantee in this world except for death, everyone is destined to leave this world, it is a matter of time. Just like CopyWipe, there is no guarantee that your information is safe, it just makes the information harder to be extracted by semi-professional geeks.

From: http://www.geckoandfly.com