What's A Pen Drive?

A Pen Drive is a removable storage device that plugs into a computer's USB port. Small enough to carry on a key ring, Pen Drives are great for transferring photos, music, documents and any other data from one computer to another. Different manufacturers over the years have named their Pen Drives with many different names causing constant confusion.
As a result of this the Pen Drive can also be known as Pocket Drive, Thumb Drive, Jump Drive, USB Flash Drive, USB Flash Memory Drive, USB Key Drive, USB Memory Key and USB Memory Stick among many others!


Although none of these names are either correct or incorrect, one of the names cause a huge amount of confusion for people, this is when someone referring to a Pen Drive, uses the term "Memory Stick". This is because "Memory Stick" is a Sony trademark and refers to a type of memory card used in Sony's electronic devices, it is therefore a completely different product, which will not plug directly into your computer's USB port!

Pen Drives were invented by IBM in 1988 as a replacement to Floppy Disks but were never patented by them, M-Systems who were later contracted in by IBM to manufacture Pen Drives actually own the patent. So think of a Pen Drive as a modern day floppy disk. The main difference being that a floppy disk contains moving parts which can make the data stored on it vulnerable, a Pen Drive is solid state meaning there are no moving parts inside, making it resilient to dust and everyday magnetic fields and so a safer storage option. Also Pen Drives can hold much, much more data than the floppy disk.

Once connected to a computer's USB port the Pen Drive appears in Windows as a "Removable Drive" alongside your C Drive, CD ROM Drive etc. You can simply drag and drop photos, music, documents and any other type of data on to the "Removable Drive" just as would with any other folder on your computer (no complex recording like CD or DVD is required). The Pen Drive can then be removed (see Safe Removal of Pen Drive below) from the computer and plugged into another computer's USB port giving you access to the information you copied to the Pen Drive.

The compact size, robust nature and low cost of the Pen Drive has made it a big hit and an indispensible tool for many. It is ideal for transporting personal, or work data from one location to another, i.e. from home to school or office, or for carrying around data that someone may want to access in a variety of places. An insurance company in the US loads customer bio data and policy details on a tiny Pen Drive and advises policy holders to wear it with a neck strap in case of emergencies, another company is doing the same with policy holders who go Sking. Another company videos their conference and records it onto the Pen Drive so that the delegates can refer to it in future. Pen Drives can also be used to back up your important documents.

If you would like to know more about Pen Drives please visit our website or call us on 0845 257 2088 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri) and we will do our best to assist you. Mouse2House.co.uk supply thousands of Pen Drives to Schools, Hospitals, Businesses, Government agencies and of course private individuals. We are also able to personalise Pen Drives with logos and messages for commercial or fund raising events, minimum order quantity applies to the logo service.

What's In A Name?

Sony, Nike, Gucci, BT, Microsoft, Ford, Armani… and so on, names we come across in daily life, these are top “manufacturer brands”, then there are Tesco, Next, M&S, GAP, Burberry, Virgin etc, these are top “retail brands”. Most of us are very familiar with these brands as we have seen them around for a long time and have grown to trust them, we know who they are and what to expect from their products.


It is also common practice for people to become brand loyal too, i.e. you try and like the products of a brand and then stick to that brand, or buy a product like a Fuji digital camera and use a Fuji memory card to go with it. In fact, the brands actively encourage brand loyalty e.g. if you buy an Epson printer, the company’s literature will encourage the use of Epson ink cartridges.

Many people are then surprised, to learn that their famous brand camera, watch, car, clothing, computer etc, is not actually made by the company whose name appears on the product, but by another company they perhaps have never heard of. This company is known as the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) being the actual manufacturer of the product which is sold under it’s own brand, or the brand of another company, often using that company’s design, specifications etc.

Some OEM relationships are public knowledge e.g. Tesco do not produce instant coffee, so, an instant coffee producer makes Tesco instant coffee. Other OEM relationships are less obvious e.g. BT fax machines are mostly made by Olivetti, early Hewlett Packard digital cameras were made by Pentax and 70% of the notebook computers sold in the world (Dell, Compaq, HP, Apple, IBM, Sony etc.) are made by Quanta Computers in Taiwan and MG City Rover is made by Tata, the largest car manufacturer in India.

Many OEM relationships are well-kept secrets or at least kept discrete and known only to industry insiders e.g. Dell and Lexmark, from 2002 Lexmark produce Dell inkjet printers, laser printers and related print cartridges. Sony and Sandisk jointly develop and produce Memory Stick cards, which are sold under both brands etc.

So, is this a good or bad thing? Well, it’s a good thing for the consumer because these joint collaborations drastically reduce new product development and production costs, ultimately this saving translates into lower prices of products for all of us. However, it is worth bearing in mind, that a more expensive brand may not necessarily be a better product, or even any different to a lower priced product.

For our part at Mouse2House, we actively offer major brand products as well as alternative brands that in our experience we have found to represent good or better value.

What To Do When Your Keyboard Fail

Do you think the keyboard is important?Try using your computer without it.Your computer will be almost useless without the keyboard.And like all other PC peripherals,the keyboard can and will put you down.

The keyboard is a simple peripheral and when it does go on the blink,you will be much better off pyrchasing a new one rather than considering repairing it,unless the problem is something simple like a stuck key.


TROUBLESHOOTING BASICS

As we look into problems with the keyboard,remember the check the obvious first and as with all problem solving procedures,don't be tempted to take shortcuts. Follow these procedures to resolve common keyboard problems.

KEYBOARD WILL NOT RESPOND

1st. Restart the computer. This sometimes will resolve a computer that has froze or locked up during the first boot up.

2rd. Look behind the system unit and check to see if the cable is fully inserted into the connector. Check to see if it is in the keyboard connector and not the mouse connector.

Shut the computer off and remove the cable from the system unit.Check to see if any pins or connectors have been bent or broken.

If all pins and connectors are good.Try connecting another keyboard and restart the computer. If the new keyboard works,replace the old keyboard.

CHECK FOR KEYBOARD ERROR IN WINDOWS

If the new keyboard should fail as well,check the resource conflicts if your operating system is Windows 98 or Me.Click on Start,Settings,Control Panel,System, and Device Manager Tab in System Properties.

Windows displays your devices attached to your PC. Click the plus sign and scan the list for the keyboard. If you notice an exclamation point or a red X beside the keyboard,the keyboard has a problem.

Now highlight the keyboard,click the remove button, and click OK in the confirmation window. Close the Device Manager and restart the computer. The operating system will reconfigure the keyboard.

WINDOWS DID NOT FIX THE KEYBOARD

You have restarted the computer and the keyboard still does not work.Its now possible you have a faulty keyboard port.This may prove true if the second keyboard failed to work on your computer as well.

Though it rarely happens,an error message will appear if the keyboard get hot.Stuck keys are also causes of error messages appearing on your monitor at bootup.

POOR KEYBOARD PERFORMANCE

Keeping the keyboard free from dirt and dust,is essential to good keyboard performance. Liquid spills are common and can be cleaned with a can of compressed air.

Your settings in Windows may also be the culprit in poor keyboard performance.To check your keyboard performance,click on Start,Settings, Control Panel,and double click keyboard.

On the Speed Tab,you have the option to control the Repeat Delay,Repeat Rate,and the Cursor Blink rate.The Repeat Delay is the delay between the time you press a key and when it responds. The Repeat Rate controls just how fast the key repeats after it begins repeating.

Windows give you the ability to control features of your keyboard which will boost its performance, allowing you to perform your tasks quicker.

While the keyboard is replaced rather than repaired, it is imperative that you learn troubleshooting steps to correct most keyboard problems.You may have problems with the keyboard late at night and you may need to get it working to complete a document you may need for work.Know how to correct problems and help others that may experience keyboard failure.

What type of asset labels do I need to buy for my school, office, company or college?

Asset Label Types
We have split asset labels into different categories and will explain their strengths and suitability and their applications.

1) Permanent frangible vinyl asset labels
2) Silver Voiding asset labels

1) Permanent Frangible Vinyl Asset Label

This label is suitable for most applications. These labels are much higher quality asset labels than the paper version and are more common in the field. The label material will conform to the majority of surfaces and forms a high-strength bond. This material has excellent initial grab and quite often (after initial application) will provide a good adhesion to many surfaces (when clean). The maximum strength of this label is attained within a 4 hour + period where the glue on the label hardens and makes the label impossible to remove in one piece


This is good for marking workstations, casings, monitors and smaller items. The grain on the computer plastics can be tricky to adhere to with certain asset labels, but the vinyl labels are very effective for this application. The material is also suited to varnished and smooth surfaces. These labels can be personalized with Code 39 barcodes, serial numbers and often with the logo printed too. Some companies offer further protection with a hologram label included to prevent counterfeiting. The vinyl labels are usually supplied on reels and most companies offer a turnaround within 33 to 5 days however some companies offer 24hr / next day service.

These are great for Hospitals, Schools, IT Department & Offices as when the adhesive sets it becomes very strong prevents people or children removing the labels in one piece.
This vinyl asset label material is suitable in many different applications such as:-

PC & IT Equipment, Monitors and LCD displays, Laptop Computers, Keyboards, Mice, Mobile Equipment including PDA's, Networking Equipment, Fileservers, Hard Drives, Printed Circuit Boards, Painted Metal Surfaces, Wood, Plastics, Glass, Metals, Paper Surfaces, etc.

2) Silver Voiding Asset Label
This substrate is used primarily in situations where tampering needs to be revealed. The construction of the material utilises a two stage adhesive. The label will grab very well and on any attempt of removal, will leave the words VOID on the label and on the material it is stuck to. Even if you try to replace the label by sticking it down in the same position it is still apparent that tampering has taken effect.

This material is used in many different applications such as:-

Covering Memory & Expansion covers on IT Equipment, Sealing Paper, Card & Plastic surfaces, Calibration Seals, Sealing Postage Bags, Medicine Boxes and Cartons, Electronic Enclosure Boxes, HiFi & Stereo Units, Computer Cases, Mobile Telephones, PDA's, Sealing Doors, NHS & Medical Equipment, Oscilloscopes, etc.

TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon iPhone, iPad Trailer: Release Date Tomorrow!

EA Mobile made sure during E3 2011 that screenshots of this game were tightly kept. Now that the movie is releasing this weekend, they’re now began marketing the iOS game. Check out the brand new trailer for TRANSFORMERS: Dark of the Moon:

“Play as the mighty OPTIMUS PRIME, or fan-favorite BUMBLEBEE, and stop the evil Decepticons from taking over the Universe! Crush your enemies in fierce robot combat, or change into a vehicle and blast your foes on the road.”

Features

• AUTHENTIC MOVIE EXPERIENCE
  Relive EPIC environments from the movie in 13 intense levels — Chernobyl, Atlantic City, Washington D.C., Chicago and even THE MOON!
• ACTION PACKED
  Unlock 13 upgradable weapons, from the Ion Blaster to the Nucleon Shock Cannon, and unleash your mechanical wrath in FIVE menacing boss battles, including movie villains Megatron and Shockwave.
• OPTIMUS PRIME needs your help saving the world! ROLL OUT for the only real movie experience for iPhone, iPad & iPod touch!

The game is releasing this Tuesday June 28, 2011 worldwide. If we’re lucky, we’ll most likely see it pop up in the App Store tonight. No pricing details were revealed however. In any case, who’s ready for some Optimus Prime Action?

What You Always Wanted To Know About Tips For Buying Good Speakers

This article was written to answer many of the most frequently asked questions on this topic. I hope you find this information helpful.

When you buy stereo equipment the speakers customarily come with the system. The quality of speakers depends on the type of stereo system and how much you paid for it. The cheaper system usually doos not have high quality speakers and they will wear out quickly. You might blow your speakers if the volume is over half way. If you are not satisfied with your speakers then you can buy new ones to fit your system. These are usually more costly; once again it depends on the cost and quality of the speakers. Speakers are manufactured for two types of listeners: those who want accurate reproduction and those who want a more vivid colorful reproduction.

Many people are looking for a set of speakers that will produce a great sound and a loud noise. Here are some tips for buying new speakers for your stereo system.

1.Look for someone who is has experience with speakers. This could be a person who works in the electronic department of your local electronics store, or you can find information in magazines or check out the internet. This information will help you decide what type of speakers that you are looking for.

2. Speakers require cables and wires to hook them up. Cables are not automatically included with your system, so before leaving the store with your new speakers, ensure that you have checked for the necessary cables and wires.

3. You should also look for speakers that are bass reflex and that they have ported speakers. You will like this feature if you want a lot of bass. This is available on most types of speakers. You should also have acoustic suspension. This will give you a clean, tight and accurate bass. This improves the sound of your speakers.

Where you shop for your speakers will depend on the type of speakers you want to buy. If you are looking for inexpensive speakers then you can shop for these in your local electronics store. If you want high fidelity speakers, then you should shop at a specific audio store.

I want to thank you for visiting. Go ahead and look around to find additional helpful tips and information.

Which Laptop battery is right for you?

The short answer is: “Whichever type fits your laptop.”

Laptop batteries vary according to the model and type of laptop computer for which they’ve been designed. All laptop batteries do, however, share some common characteristics that differentiate them from regular household batteries:


•    Laptop batteries are rechargeable
•    They are composed of multiple internal cells
•    Within each laptop battery is a small printed circuit board
•    Shape and location of terminals differ from model to model.

As is the case with all batteries, laptop batteries create an electrochemical reaction, forcing a stream of electrons from one position to another. Also like other batteries, laptop batteries have positive and negative terminals that receive and send electrons.

Rechargeable batteries are more complex, however, than standard batteries. This is because the electrochemical reaction that provides power must be reversible. Care has to be taken when recharging them to ensure they perform at their best.

Frank McLarnon, Lawrence Berkley lab’s staff scientist explains it this way to Scientific American.com:

"When a battery is discharged, an electrochemical oxidation reaction proceeds at the negative electrode, and an electrochemical reduction reaction occurs at the positive electrode. When one attempts to recharge a battery by reversing the direction of electric current flow, the opposite takes place: a reduction reaction proceeds at the negative electrode, and an oxidation reaction takes place at the positive electrode.

In the case of the rechargeable battery, the electrochemical oxidation-reduction reactions are reversible at both electrodes. In the case of the non-rechargeable battery, when one attempts to recharge the battery by reversing the direction of electron current flow, at least one of the electrochemical oxidation-reduction reactions is not reversible. When the battery is charged, the overall reduction reaction that proceeds at the negative electrode may not be the true reverse of the oxidation reaction that proceeded when the battery was discharged.

If the laptop battery process isn't exact, then unwanted build up can take place on either terminal over time, which can cause a dangerous short-circuit.”

It is so important to ensure that your laptop battery or notebook battery is the one designed for your particular model and type.  Only buy Dell laptop batteries for a Dell laptop computer, Gateway aren’t compatible with Compaq laptop batteries and Toshiba laptop batteries won’t sit well in a Sony.

It is also wise to remember that old adage: “You get what you pay for.”
Some companies offer used “cheap laptop batteries” for sale, saying that they have refurbished each battery and restored most of its useful life. The fallacy of this is that, although possible to refurbish a second-hand laptop battery, the cost to do so would be more than the price of a new battery. So, “Buyer beware,” and if you must buy discount laptop batteries, buy new discounted batteries.

Laptop computers are a boon to business, large and small. As a wise person is just about to say: “Look after your laptop and it will look after you.”