Technology has always been a part of our lives, from building the first clubs and fires to the Space Age and the Information Age. We always learn enough about technology to use it as part of our daily living, but computer technology is one of the least understood parts of our existence. Therefore this series of articles will clarify some of the mysteries of computers.

What are the benefits of learning more about computers? If you are totally satisfied and have no frustrations with your computer, you are part of a very lucky minority! However, like every other type of technology, the more you understand it the better equipped you will be to handle the many issues that can arise. Knowledge is power, after all! You will be able to help yourself better with this information, and you will be able to help, and impress, your friends as well. So let's dig into the insides of your computer.

This introductory article will talk about the parts of the computer, and the difference between the various parts such as hardware and software, programs and data and memory and storage. Future articles in the series will go more in-depth on these as well as many other topics. Questions and discussions from readers will also be addressed in future articles.

What do you see when you look at a computer system? The most basic modern setup will include four components; the computer itself, a mouse, a keyboard and a monitor. There may be many other additional components such as printers, modems, speakers, microphones, etc. Let's start with our basic four component system.

It is helpful to consider this model of the computer: The computer itself computes information (processing); we have to provide information into the computer (input) in order to receive new information from the computer (output). Every piece of computer equipment provides one or more of these functions, input, processing and output.

A keyboard and a mouse provide input into the computer. After processing the information the results are output to a monitor or a printer. Some devices can provide both input and output. For instance, we can receive an email from a friend (input from the internet through the modem) and reply to the email (output to the internet through the modem). Or you can create a spreadsheet and save it to your hard drive (input data to the hard drive) and later open the spread sheet from the hard drive (output data from the hard drive). The modem and the hard drive are capable of both input and output, so they are known as input-output (I/O) devices.

Hardware is any device you can physically touch. Every device talked about so far can be physically touched. Software cannot be touched. It is the electronic information created by the flow or absence of an electrical signal. You cannot touch the programs or data used on your computer. You can touch and hold a hard drive, or a CD or a DVD, so these are all examples of hardware. But you cannot touch the flow or absence of an electrical signal, the zeros and ones that make up the binary world of computers. If you can touch it, it is hardware; if you cannot touch it, it is software.

Programs and data are both considered to be software, because they are composed of the flow or absence of electrical signals, the binary zeros and ones that computers process. The words programs and applications are pretty much the same; they are instructions that tell a computer what to do. The data you create might be a document, spreadsheet, graphic, or email.

All software, programs and data, are kept on the computer in one form or another. When you are working on a word processing document, for example, you have loaded the program (word processor) and data (document) into the RAM (Random Access Memory) of the computer. This is where it is kept while the computer is actively processing the information.

But what happens when you turn off the electricity to the computer? There is only an absence of electrical signal, which would be all zeros in the binary world of the computer. So we must have a way of storing the information so we can use it again later. This is why we use the hard drive. But the hard drive does not have electrical current flowing when the power is off, so it uses an equivalent technique. Like the cassette tapes of yesteryear, the hard drive has a magnetic surface that stores information.

Think of a compass, with North and South poles. North and South can be used to represent the zeros and ones the computer processes. Now all the directions between North and South represent the full range of audio signals in a music cassette, but if we saturate those magnetic particles so they are either North or South, that will provide a digital equivalent to the flow or absence of an electrical signal, the zeros and ones of the computer's world.

Another way to remember the difference between the electronic memory of the RAM and the magnetic storage of the hard drive is to think of the RAM as your desktop and the hard drive is a large filing cabinet. We pull information out of storage in the hard drive/filing cabinet and place it on the desktop/RAM. The more RAM you have, the bigger your desktop and the more items (programs and data) you can have open. The bigger your hard drive, the more information you can store in your filing cabinet. Also, you can have a large file cabinet/hard drive and a small desktop/RAM, which would mean you could store a lot of information but not enough room to open too many at once, or a small file cabinet/hard drive and a large desktop/RAM, which would allow you to have a lot of information open at the same time but not a lot of room to store it. The best scenario, of course, would be to have ample memory and storage.

This has been a lot of information at once, so let's bring it to a close for now. Here are some questions for you to consider. What are some different types of input devices? What are some different types of output devices? Would an audio CD be considered hardware or software? Would the music on the CD be considered hardware or software? Which would you rather have, more memory or more storage?

Now that these questions have been asked, let's turn the tables and see what questions you want to ask. Send a letter or email them to lediskdoctor@yahoo.com.

D. Mark Scott has been working with computers since well before Windows and the World Wide Web. He now shares his perspective regarding computers with an absorbing introductory review of the computer world. Easy to read and follow, Mr. Scott's writings are sure to help people gain a better grasp of the power available in today's personal computers.

The cl.exe file is used in programs under Microsoft. Specifically, it's extremely vital for applications such as the C/C++ Compiler driver. The file is also very important in supporting files that help facilitate the collection of programs that are based on the C++ language. Given the functionality of the file, it cannot be denied that it is an integral part of your computer. However, from time to time there are instances wherein it also creates a range of problems for computer users. It can affect the operating system and other many of its components. When something goes wrong with the cl.exe file, the computer will display one of the following messages:

-C1001: INTERNAL COMPILER ERROR (compiler file 'msc1.cpp', line 1786)
-BSCMAKE: error BK1506: cannot open file '.\Debug\VCString.sbr': No such file or directory
-Error executing cl.exe.
-Please choose the Technical Support command on the Visual C++
-Help menu, or open the Technical Support help file for more information
-Creating browse info file...
-Error executing bscmake.exe."

The cl.exe file becomes problematic due to a variety of reasons. Most of the time, one of the main reasons is down to the kind of Visual Studio Service Pack being used. If the service pack is outdated then it won't be able to support operations as smoothly as possible. Other reasons for the errors may include: damaged or corrupted Visual C++ installation, rouge downloads and malware infections. Any issues within the registry can also trigger errors related to the cl.exe file. Aside from knowing the causes, it's also important to know how to fix them. Read on to find out.

How To Fix CL.exe Errors

Out-dated service packs are often unable to support proper processes and facilitate the right operations. Thus, they should always be updated. Computer systems that use or process programs using or working with C++ language function best when operating with newer service packs such as the new Visual Studio Service Pack. There are specific services available providing updates for these service packs. Search for them and then download all updates or the latest version that of the service pack if it is provided. It's easy to install and most of the time instructions are provided on how to use and upgrade the components. If this doesn't work, then other measures can be tried.

If updating the service pack did not help alleviate the problem, then reinstalling the Visual Studio Package and the Visual Studio C++ programs may help. Reinstallation of these two programs can often help overwrite problematic components and provide fresh files and settings for the computer to easily access and read. However, before reinstalling both programs, they will have to be removed first. To do this, select Start and then go to the Control Panel option. On the list of options, select Add/Remove Programs and then find both programs mentioned. Select these programs and then choose remove or uninstall. They may have to be removed separately. Follow instructions and make sure to complete each process in its entirety.

Furthermore, it is necessary to clean up the registry to ensure and end to the problems. Why? Because the registry is where all the keys and settings for the CL.exe file are kept, and they may have been corrupted. If so, then Windows will not be able to read them correctly, and errors will result. Use a registry cleaner to tidy up the registry.

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Iedkcs32.dll is an important file with a main function of enabling Internet Explorer to customize browser elements like the toolbars and menus. However, despite playing a useful role, it has been reported to cause problems, and once errors are experienced by this file, message alerts are displayed on your screens especially every time you use Internet Explorer. Once this happens, you will not be able to use the browser.

What Causes IedKCS32.dll Errors?

This error may be due to the inability of Windows to load up the file properly as it might have been corrupted or lost in your system. You have to address this issue as soon as you can so you can continue to utilize your browser and stop the error messages from popping up. Examples of iedkcs32.dll error message displays that you will see on your computer are:

"iedkcs32.dll Not Found""This application failed to start because iedkcs32.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem" or "Cannot find iedkcs32.dll""The file iedkcs32.dll is missing""Cannot start Microsoft Internet Explorer. A required component is missing:iedkcs32.dll. Please install the application again".

Windows cannot correctly read the file as this file may have been corrupted, destroyed, or lost in the system as caused by infection of viruses or registry related errors. It is important to pinpoint the real reason of this error so you can fix it accordingly.

How To fix iedkcs32.dll Errors On Your Computer

To start resolving this problem, you first have to do a re-installation of the programs that may have caused this issue. Take note that the file is a component of Internet Explorer, therefore you have to install Internet Explorer again. To do this, press "Start" and then go to "Control Panel" and then select "Add / Remove Programs or Programs and Features" if you're using Windows Vista & 7. Choose Internet Explorer from the options and select "Remove" or "Uninstall" to remove the application from your computer. Finish the uninstallation process by rebooting your PC. Updated Internet Explorer versions released by Microsoft can be downloaded from their website and it is recommended that you install the most recent version.

To be certain that you completely stop this error from occurring in your computer, you have to install a new copy of iedkcx32.dll file onto your computer. This can be done by downloading the iedkcs32.dll file from the internet and then unzipping this file onto the hard drive of your PC. After that, you have to go to "C:\Windows\Systems32" and find the current iedkcs32 file. You have to change the name of the existing iedkcs32.dll to iedkcs32BACKUP.dll. The next thing to do is make a copy of this new file to C:\Windows\System32. Once pasted there, press "Start" and then select "Run" or if using Windows Vista & 7, search "Run". A dialogue box will be displayed and you have to input "cmd". Then on the blank screen, type "regsvr32iedkcs32.dll. These steps will allow your system to now properly read the file and prevent the errors from arising.

The final step is to clean the registry of your system. The "registry" is the central database where all the important files, information, settings and options are kept. As Windows loads up, it reads the files needed for it to run properly through this database. Once corrupted, damaged, or infected, the registry can potentially inflict problems like the iedkcs32.dll errors. To fix this, download and run a registry cleaning tool to make your PC error-free and operate as efficiently as expected.

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UserInit.exe is a file that is important in the operations of Windows. It specifically organizes the sequence of startup configurations in the system. It is crucial to the process of Windows and it often focuses first on the boot-up portion of the system to ensure that it will run smoothly. This file is very important because without it the computer system will have a hard time operating. Nonetheless, regardless of the functionality of the file, it may also cause a range of issues. When it gets misplaced and corrupted, the system will read an error. Windows will no longer be able to read it properly. The following sections will provide a tutorial on how to troubleshoot such an issue. When the computer is experiencing problems with the file, users will know it because the system will display a message.

What Causes UserInit.exe Errors?

Take note of this error message:

"USERINIT.EXE (5.2.3790.77) caused a fault in module NTDLL.DLL at 0?0003C188"

Basically, errors with the userInit.exe start when it goes missing in the system and when it gets damaged. Usually, when the file gets corrupted it means that the system is corrupted or there's a malicious component affecting different parts of the computer. Errors in the registry system can also cause issues in the file. Fortunately, there's a way around this problem and users can fix it by following a few simple steps.

How To Fix These Errors

There are several ways to fix the problem and one of these is to update Windows and make sure that the file also gets updated. Since the file is a legitimate component from Windows, it may be repaired through the updating of the system itself. Updates and all the latest fixes are available from Microsoft's website. To do this, go to Start, select All Programs and then choose Windows Update, instructions are provided on how to update this. Download the latest version or all the necessary upgrades and then restart the computer. The update should help resolve the problem. However, if for some reason the issue still does not get fixed then it may be a good idea to scan the system from viruses.

If there are still problems in the system then it means there's already an infection. Scan the computer for viruses and any indication that there's a malware infection. The file won't get corrupted unless there's a malicious component infecting different parts of the computer. Use an antivirus program and scan the system thoroughly. Delete all threats found. This should ensure that the file won't get corrupted over and over again. Cleaning the registry is also a crucial troubleshooting method.

Errors in the registry can also affect the functionality of the file. Cleaning such should ensure that there won't be any more faulty components in the system. To clean the system, a registry cleaner application should be downloaded first. Instructions are provided on how to use it. It should be noted that programs should only be downloaded from a reliable source. A user can never be too sure.

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Windows 7 may sometimes run slow due to several reasons. Viruses and spyware can contribute to this problem as well as add-on programs, hard disk issues and lack of memory space and the amount of programs your computer is running. If your Windows 7 is running slower than expected for whatever reason, then you should consider exploring options on how to make it run faster. Possible solutions can be from cleaning the files and programs on your system helping to improve the speed of your computer, while making sure that your registry is error-free. Discussed below is other options you can use to improve the speed of your PC.

How To Make Windows 7 Run Faster

The first thing you should do to improve your computer's speed is to be certain that your computer has no damaged or corrupted settings & options which will make it load up slower. You have to make sure that all the needed settings that will enable your PC to function smoothly are also present in your computer. When your Windows loads up, it reads the files required for it to run smoothly through the registry or the central database that stores all the important files, settings & options, and information.

Sometimes the registry gets corrupted, damaged, clogged-up, or infected, and when this happens, Windows will not be able to read the needed files properly, thus, resulting in problems such as your computer running slow. Registry cleaners have become a widely used method to speed up Windows. These cleaning tools scan through your computer's system and has the capacity to fix the possible problems that are present in your computer's registry - enabling your system to operate more efficiently. Without a doubt, the use of registry cleaners can definitely speed up your computer but you have to select the most appropriate cleaning tool for your PC.

Registry cleaning programs are recommended tools which automatically eliminate errors in the registry of your system. Numerous registry cleaners are out in the market and most of them function quite the same. They fix the problems in the registry by conducting a complete scan in the registry. They identify unused or ruined entries and then they repair these files by removing or substituting the registry key values. Some registry cleaning tools also make back up files for these files to be restored in its original format, the moment you encounter an error.

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If your PC is running slowly, the good news is that you can actually speed it up relatively easily, if you know what to do. We've been repairing PCs for several years now, and are fortunate enough to have a really simple method to fix any of the possible errors that your computer could have inside. The problem we've found is that many Windows computers will develop a series of possible errors that will just lead them to run slower - preventing your system from being able to correctly process all the settings which it needs to run & making your computer run much less reliably as a result. Here's how to fix the issues you're seeing:

What Causes Windows To Run Slower?

There are a number of problems which can often cause Windows to run slowly, which will include the following issues:

Your programs will not be able to load up correctlyYour system will have some sort of issues with its settingsYour hardware may be exhibiting some sort of errors / problems

How To Make Windows Run Faster

There is a trick to make your PC run faster that many of our fellow repair technicians recommend. This method involves using a "registry cleaner" program to scan through the registry database of your computer and fixing any of the potential issues / problems that it may have inside. The registry is a central storage facility for all the files & settings that your computer will be using to help it process the important options that it requires to run. Despite it being a relatively hidden part of your system, it's where the likes of your most recent emails, desktop wallpaper and even your program files are kept. If your PC is running slowly, it suggests that you have some sort of problem with the registry settings of Windows, which can be fixed by using a registry cleaner.

Many computer repair technicians will agree that keeping the registry of Windows in correct working order is essential to the smooth operation of your system, and this can be done by using a registry cleaner program to scan through your PC and fix any of the errors that your registry may have inside. It's recommended you download a reliable registry cleaner tool and then let it fix any of the possible problems that could be causing your PC to run slow.

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