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If you are having an issue with your Dell Vostro 400 powering up, here is something that worked for me.

This morning our Dell Vostro 400 would not power on.  The light on the power button was yellow in color.  I took the side off the case and noticed that when the power button was pushed, the cpu fan briefly spun and stopped (this usually indicates an issue with hardware in the computer).  I went ahead an unplugged the power from the computer and was going to proceed with removing cards and memory.  I removed the graphic card and plugged the computer back in.  When I turned it on, the computer started to run, thus indicating that the graphic card was the culprit.  I simply replaced it with a spare and the computer has been working flawlessly.

If the graphic card was not the issue, I would disconnect the hard drive and then the memory (1 at a time with trying to power up the computer).

Hope this helps someone out.

There are some easy things you can do to keep your computer virus-free.  If you simply use software from reliable vendors, that is half the battle.  The other thing you can do to keep viruses off your computer is to avoid opening email attachments from people you do not know.

It sounds easy, but you would be surprised how many people download software or open an email attachment from someone they do not know.  You would not open your car door for a stranger, so avoid these two practices to keep from opening the “door” of your computer to strangers.  Some of the most infamous viruses were spread from one computer to another through emails.  Even if the email is from a reliable source – such as Microsoft – you should still be suspicious.  Email addresses can be forged to look like they are from someone else.

In 1999, the “Melissa” viruses was posted to an Internet newsgroup through a Microsoft Word attachment.  The virus perpetuated itself by accessing the address book of the person that downloaded it and sending itself to the first 50 users in that address book.  In only a few hours, this virus has slowed the networks on the Internet. (more…)

A NAS (Network Attached Storage) device is an external hard drive that gets connected to your home network either through an ethernet cable or wirelessly using a wireless router.  This device is accessable from any computer on your home network.  Your are correct in thinking that you can just simply share out your hard drive on an existing computer, but in this situation, the computer must always be on and you also have to configure your desktop firewall so other users to access your computer and it must always be on.

I use a NAS device in my home network because it give me a common location to store all of my files.  For example, I just recently purchased a new laptop with built in wireless and now when I am using the laptop, I can go to the NAS device to access my business files and also know that I am getting the most recent versions of the files and then even go to my desktop computer to access the same files.

Network Attached Storage devices are no longer just used by big companies for file storage.  The common home network user can now purchase these for under $200.00 and use them for the whole family to store their common files. 

We like wireless devices because of the flexability of not needing to run cables, but keep in mind that the wireless NAS devices are going to be slower.

A thumbnail drive also called a portable hard drive or Jump Drive is a relatively small device that gives you the ability to take your personal files with you.  This device works on the same principle as a floppy disk does, but can hold much more information.  Because this device is very small, you can attach it to your keychain or easily store it in a purse.

To use a thumbnail drive, all you need is a computer that has a working USB port that you can plug the device into.  Once the thumbnail drive is recognized by Windows, it will appear as a new drive in your Windows Explorer:

You can use it just like you would use any other disk drive.  You can drag and drop files to it and open them up on other computers.

A couple of months ago, I purchased a Gateway Laptop model # MX6437 for my business.  The laptop came with a Turion 64 bit mobile processor, 512 meg of ram, XP Home Edition, DVD Writer, Built in wireless and a nice 15.4″ widescreen display.  This was actually the first laptop that I have ever purchased and also the first computer that I have not built myself in over 8 years.

Recently I needed to purchase an international travel converter for some traveling that I have coming up.  You would think that this should be a simple process?  But what I experienced was nothing like that.  I first called Gateway up via their 800 number.  I gave the rep the model number and was told that Gateway did not carry it.  After telling him it was purchased through bestbuy, he immediately tried to tell me that I needed to contact BestBuy for any addon parts.  I explained to him that I simply wanted a power converter and did not want to call anywhere else, so I was transferred over to tech support.  Anyway after speaking with Tech support that assured me that they had the part so I ordered it.  A Couple of days later the item came to me and it was not what I needed.  It was only the adapter plugs.  I took a deep breath and called them back again, this time inquiring if the laptop was dual voltage (thinking then I could just use the plugs).  I went throught the process about buying it from Best Buy and this time I was told that I needed to call a different Gateway number.  I asked why and was told that because it was not purchased through Gateway, they had a different support number.  I was shocked when I found out the number was not an 800#.  I was told their was no 800# for this support.

Once again, I just took a deep breath and went off to contact the gateway support for my laptop.  After waiting about 15 minutes (which was definately longer than it took to reach the “normal” Gateway support, my support call was answered by a girl who was just simply lacking in support knowledge.  After about 20 minutes on the phone with her I gave up and just decided to go an purchase a travel converter somewhere else.

My experience was an eye opener for me about Gateway and the way that they support their products.  I really don’t understand why they have different numbers for their support.  Let’s face it, the logo on my computer is Gateway and I should be able to call 1 phone number and then be directed to the proper support area.  If they want to handle it internally through separate support channels, just don’t tell me.  Also, the knowledge of the support techs should be the same.  In addition it left a very bad feeling in my mouth after receiving the wrong item even after asking the tech support rep to verify that I was getting the right part.

If you are considering purchasing a Gateway computer, make sure the deal is good enough to justify that you don’t purchase it directly from Gateway.