COMPUTER HARDWARE & SOFTWARE

COMPUTER HARDWARE
Master a number of computer hardware skills and research all manners of hardware issues with eHow’s collection of informative How Tos. Learn how to install a wireless communication card on a laptop, swap RAM to another computer and convert a computer into a file server. Wondering how to use a monitor with a tablet PC? eHow’s got the answer. Tech novices and experts alike can benefit from eHow’s terrific computer tips and advice.

How to Upgrade Your Computer's RAM?
To increase the random-access memory (RAM) of your computer, you must know the type of RAM it uses, how the RAM is presently configured and how many open RAM slots are available.

How to Increase the Processing Speed of a 486 or Pentium-Based Computer?
If you have a 486 or Pentium computer, you might be able to increase the speed by adding an Intel Pentium OverDrive processor.

How to Install RAM?
If your computer slows down when you're working with large files or many programs at once, you might be able to improve performance by installing extra RAM (Random Access Memory - your computer's...

How to Clean a Computer Monitor?
Is your computer monitor really blurry or is it covered with a layer of filth? Have you ever asked yourself that question? If so maybe it's time to start cleaning your monitor a bit more often...

How to Buy a Laser Printer?
Laser printers provide better quality than ink-jet printers, but are more expensive. Keep in mind print quality, speed, reliability and price when deciding which printer to buy.

How to Clean a Computer Keyboard?
A grimy appearance is just one reason to clean your computer keyboard. If dust gets stuck underneath the keys, they might not work properly. And spilled liquids can be your keyboard's death knell...

How to Install Computer Speakers?
Your computer will get a big boost in sound with external powered speakers.

How to Get the Best Audio Quality From Your Computer?
The inside of a computer is noisy and affects sound quality. You can improve the sound by upgrading your computer's sound card, adding external speakers, or connecting your computer to your stereo...

How to Back Up a Hard Drive?
It's important to back up your critical files on at least a weekly basis. The following explains how to install and run Microsoft's built-in Backup utility in Windows XP.

How to Choose a Backup Storage Device?
Time was, you could back up everything on your computer with floppy disks. Today, when one sound or graphics file could well be larger than a disk, it would be difficult to back up even your...

How to Set Up a PC?
Most manufacturers have made the task of setting up a new computer quite easy. Here are a few reminders about the safest way to get your new computer up and running.

How to Set Up a Macintosh?
These are the steps for setting up most Macintosh computers. Make the necessary adjustments if you have a built-in monitor or USB peripherals. You should be able to set up a Macintosh in about 10...

How to Change Cartridges on an Ink-Jet Printer?
While cartridge installation varies somewhat between brands and models, these general instructions apply to most major brands.

How to Choose the Right Processor Speed for a Computer?
A computer processor, often considered the brains of the machine, has the most significant effect on performance and price. If you want a computer to be able to keep up with technology over the...

How to Choose the Right Amount of RAM for Your Computer?
Your computer uses random-access memory (RAM) to store the operating system, open applications, and data you're currently working on. The computer can access data in RAM much faster than data on...

COMPUTER SOFTWARE
What is the ITC Windows Critical Update Service?
The Windows Critical Update Service (also known as the Patch Management Service) makes it easy for UVa faculty and staff to keep up with applying necessary maintenance updates (“patches”) on Windows machines. Using a Microsoft technology called WSUS (Windows Software Update Server), ITC downloads and tests patches, and then distributes them automatically to machines that utilize the service. If you are responsible for multiple Windows computers, using the Windows Patch Service can relieve you of the chore of maintaining each machine individually, and ensure that all are as up-to-date as possible.

WSUS works with all currently supported Microsoft Business software and currently includes XP, Vista, 2003 Server, 2008 Server, Office 2003, 2007, and Exchange.
When Microsoft releases new patches, Microsystems officially tests those related to the XP and Vista Premium Desktops. All commonly used applications are run to be sure the patches do not break anything. Once these are tested, patches are released to members of the ITC Windows Patch Service. Microsystems provides other patches, for example, Windows 2003 or 2008, as a courtesy to the University community but they are not tested.

What is WSUS?
WSUS is Microsoft Windows Software Update Server. It is designed to automate the process of distributing Microsoft Windows operating system and some Office patches.
It works by controlling the Automatic Updates applet already present on all Windows machines. Instead of many machines at UVa all going to the Microsoft website to download updates, the WSUS Server downloads all updates to an ITC-owned server. Workstations then look to this server for updates, which decreases the load on the University Internet connection.
Currently—April 2008—WSUS works with XP, Vista, 2003 Server, 2008 Server, Office 2003, 2007, and Exchange. Please check the Microsoft TechNet website for a complete and up-to-date list, as technology changes rapidly.

How do I join?
Send an email to itc-microsystems at virginia.edu.
If you are already in Eservices, all we need is your machine name to add you.
Note: You can find your machine name by clicking on Start Settings Control Panel. Open the System applet, and click on the Computer Name tab. If you are not in Eservices, and you don't have a Windows 2003 domain already, the University will purchase your Client Access Licenses, so you may join Eservices to take advantage of this service. Detailed instructions on joining your computer to the domain can be found here.
If you administer your own Windows 2003 or 2008 domain, ITC will help you set up a WSUS policy in your domain which points to the ITC WSUS server.

Technical Details
Your machine account in Eservices is moved into an Organization Unit, which applies a policy to your machine. The policy controls the Automatic Updates applet so that it pulls updates from ITC's WSUS server at the specified time. Once your machine is added to the OU, you can no longer make changes to the Automatic Updates configuration.

WSUS Behavior
Once joined to the WSUS system, the following occurs:
The Automatic Updates applet in Control Panel becomes “grayed out” and is no longer controllable by the user
The user may see the automatic updates icon appear in the system tray.
Once it does appear, the user can choose to ignore it, or to go ahead and install the updates.
If ignored, patches will be automatically installed at 3:00AM the following morning, if the machine is on.
If the machine is left on overnight (recommended):
If no one is logged on:
Patches are downloaded and installed at 3:00AM, and the machine is automatically rebooted if necessary.
If a user is logged on:
A dialog box will pop up, giving any active users 5 minutes to decline the installation of patches. If no buttons are pressed, installation proceeds after 5 minutes, and the machine is rebooted if necessary.
If the machine was off at 3:00AM, the user will be prompted to install patches one minute, after their machine boots the next time (if they are logged in).
At that time, they have the choice of installing the patches or refusing.
If they refuse, patches will be installed at 3:00AM the following morning if it is on, or they will be prompted again the next time their computer boots.
If the user was not logged in after the system had been booted for 1 minute, the patches will install automatically, and the machine will reboot as long as no one is logged in.
If someone logs in during the install, they will be prompted to reboot, once installation is completed. They will be given the option to reboot now, or postpone until a convenient time.