<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"><channel><title><![CDATA[Acronym Computers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Thoughts, stories and ideas.]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/</link><image><url>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/favicon.png</url><title>Acronym Computers</title><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/</link></image><generator>Ghost 4.48</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:16:12 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><ttl>60</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[2018: Mac v Windows]]></title><description><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mac-vs-Windows.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="Mac-vs-Windows 2018" loading="lazy"></figure><p><strong>The argument that has lasted through generations of computer users still continues. In fact, the preference of Mac or Windows has to lead to the severed ties and broken friendships, but it&#x2019;s impossible to settle the debate. This is because each operating system has its pros and cons,</strong></p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/2018-mac-v-windows/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e5605caa00019b148b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Mar 2018 09:00:57 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mac-vs-Windows.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mac-vs-Windows.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="2018: Mac v Windows" loading="lazy"></figure><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mac-vs-Windows.jpg" alt="2018: Mac v Windows"><p><strong>The argument that has lasted through generations of computer users still continues. In fact, the preference of Mac or Windows has to lead to the severed ties and broken friendships, but it&#x2019;s impossible to settle the debate. This is because each operating system has its pros and cons, so neither can outweigh the other. The least one can do compare the features of both the popular operating systems.</strong></p><h2 id="mac">Mac</h2><h4 id="advantages-lower-risk-of-viruses-and-requirement-of-maintenance">Advantages: Lower Risk of Viruses and Requirement of Maintenance</h4><p>A common argument made by Mac users is that the Apple-based operating choice is less susceptible to being infected with viruses. Many may consider this to be a myth, but it is in fact, very much true. Although it isn&#x2019;t immune, it can&#x2019;t be denied that the risk is considerably less to that of Windows.</p><p>This is because there aren&#x2019;t many viruses for Mac to begin with and as a result, Mac enthusiasts survive without the application of anti-virus protection. Although no one can predict whether this advantage will last in the future, it still matters that this feature is beneficial right now.</p><h4 id="disadvantages-expensive-components-and-hardware">Disadvantages: Expensive Components and Hardware</h4><p>When it comes to limitations of Mac computers, many Windows users argue about the huge price one must pay for repairs and hardware. Although Mac users hold their ground and give the defense of amazing quality and support, it&#x2019;s important to note that upgrading Mac hardware isn&#x2019;t easy, or cheap for that matter. On the other hand, if you purchase a cheaper Mac for the sake of performance, you&#x2019;ll be left with a machine that can&#x2019;t be upgraded or used for gaming purposes. Users can choose to hack into their computers to perform their tweaks, but they must compromise on compatibility and award-winning support.</p><h2 id="windows">Windows</h2><h4 id="advantages-wider-range-of-software">Advantages: Wider Range of Software</h4><p>This is a matter of simple numbers and figures that no one can deny, whether they&#x2019;re pro-Mac or pro-Windows. The Windows store offers a huge range of applications that number over 50,000 in total. This includes many editions of the same software, games and streaming programs. Man, on the other hand, houses the Mac App Store where you&#x2019;ll find a limited number of applications. Approximate value is somewhere around 15,000. However, there are still a few loopholes in the argument such as the fact that a single Windows store is shared by computers and hand-held devices such as computers and laptops as well. Meanwhile, Mac users claim support for the principle of quality over quantity.</p><h4 id="disadvantages-susceptible-to-attack-by-viruses">Disadvantages: Susceptible To Attack by Viruses</h4><p>A problem widely faced in the age of tech users is the susceptibility of Windows computers to attack by viruses. The low inbuilt protection makes the system weak against viruses while the root of the problem stems from the fact that there are simply more viruses that are created to attack Windows Operating Systems. This leads to the need for a strong and reliable anti-virus application that can keep your computer secure. And of course, a strong and versatile anti-virus system is never cheap, and it is one of the cases where you get what you pay for.</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/2018-mac-v-windows/" rel="nofollow">2018: Mac v Windows</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The MacBook Pro: Pre and Post Steve Jobs]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The first MacBook Pro was revealed to the world in 2006 by the face of Apple, Steve Jobs himself. A decade later, Jobs&#x2019; successor unveiled a next-generation MacBook pro which was designed to meet the innovational standards that Apple strived to maintain. However, many things have changed regarding performance</p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/the-macbook-pro-pre-and-post-steve-jobs/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e6605caa00019b148f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2018 09:00:40 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/stevejobmacbookpro-1024x685.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/stevejobmacbookpro-1024x685.jpg" alt="The MacBook Pro: Pre and Post Steve Jobs"><p>The first MacBook Pro was revealed to the world in 2006 by the face of Apple, Steve Jobs himself. A decade later, Jobs&#x2019; successor unveiled a next-generation MacBook pro which was designed to meet the innovational standards that Apple strived to maintain. However, many things have changed regarding performance and design, ever since the passing of Steve Jobs. First and second generation models were released with the input and contribution of Steve Jobs whereas the third and fourth generation models were introduced under the leadership of Tim Cook.</p><p>The first generation models began with the 15-inch MacBook Pro which had superior features compared to the PowerBook it was aiming to replace. It featured a built-in webcam, iSight, and there was even the addition of MagSafe. Jobs&#x2019; gave the green signal when it came to reducing the size of the optical drive so that it could fit in the much slimmer chassis. The next models in the first generation lineup included a 17-inch and 15-inch revision that included FireWire 400 ports.</p><p>The second generation &#x2018;Unibody&#x2019; MacBook Pro had a unique aluminum body with certain features similar to the MacBook Air, which was also released the same year. Steve Jobs experimented with new developments and as a result, the second generation MacBook Pro had two different video cards, Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT and GeForce 9400M. He decided to retain the FireWire 800 port and let go of the FireWire 400 port. So far, so good.</p><p>The second generation model came with a battery that could be removed by the user and would last for five hours. Steve Jobs stayed true to his word, and many users reported that when put to the test, it would cross the 4.5-hour mark. The battery also showed superior ability to hold a charge of 80% even after 300 charges. At the time, the only complaints were the number of USB ports and that there was no HDMI port. Simplicity was the motto that Jobs lived by, and it could be observed in the performance of the initial MacBook Pros.</p><p>The third generation MacBook Pro, although introduced by Tim Cook, still contained traces of Jobs&#x2019; innovation and minimalist design. He aimed to keep users out of the machine, and he implemented this thought process in the design of the new &#x2018;Retina&#x2019; MacBook Pro, which was impossible to upgrade or perform repairs on by the average technician. Memory was fixed onto the logic board while the battery was apparently &#x2018;glued&#x2019; in. Any attempts to remove or upgrade them were already impossible, but if someone tried, they would risk damaging the entire computer. Although the performance of this edition was praised due to power and the &#x2018;retina&#x2019; display, there were still complaints from users regarding the lack of an optical drive and Ethernet port.</p><p>After that, it took years of complaints from devoted users for Tim Cook to release the fourth generation MacBook Pro. The highlight was a digital strip that was touch-sensitive and it replaced the conventional F keys on the keyboard. Designed to be futuristic, the strip would change itself based on what was on the screen. However, the end result was just a confusing and complex gimmick that very few tech reviewers actually appreciated. Overall, it can&#x2019;t be denied that the post-Jobs Apple isn&#x2019;t as focused towards the aim of providing simple technology because of their attempts at meeting different consumer demands.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is Possible with Data Recovery?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/data-recovery.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="data-recovery" loading="lazy"></figure><p>If you live in the 21<sup>st</sup> century, you don&#x2019;t have to be a computer geek to know about data loss and recovery. Nowadays, every person with a phone has gone through the troublesome endeavor of suffering from data loss. Data recovery is the practice or method applied</p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/what-is-possible-with-data-recovery/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e6605caa00019b1493</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:23:48 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/data-recovery-1024x682.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/data-recovery.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="What is Possible with Data Recovery?" loading="lazy"></figure><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/data-recovery-1024x682.jpg" alt="What is Possible with Data Recovery?"><p>If you live in the 21<sup>st</sup> century, you don&#x2019;t have to be a computer geek to know about data loss and recovery. Nowadays, every person with a phone has gone through the troublesome endeavor of suffering from data loss. Data recovery is the practice or method applied to retain lost or accidentally deleted data on devices such as computers and smartphones.</p><h2 id="how-is-data-lost-in-the-first-place">How Is Data Lost in the First Place?</h2><p>Data is present on the hard drive&#x2019;s surface called platter, and this component spins at a speed of up to 1500 rotations per minute. The data is read by arms that function extremely close to the surface of the hard drive on which data is stored. Failure of these arms to operate effectively leads to the data being lost or altered. However, your precious documents and files aren&#x2019;t deleted yet and are still lingering around somewhere on the surface of the platter.</p><h2 id="how-is-data-recovered">How Is Data Recovered?</h2><p>The job of data recovery programs and methods is to bring back your essential data from being lost forever. The strong algorithms employed by a data recovery program search for altered or abruptly deleted segments of files and brought them back from the Master Boot Record. However, it&#x2019;s important to remember that the process of data recovery is no miracle. Rather, it&#x2019;s just a succession of algorithms that mix and match to find your desired files. This makes it imperative that any tech user knows what is possible with data recovery and what isn&#x2019;t.</p><h2 id="what-are-the-possibilities-of-data-recovery">What are The Possibilities of Data Recovery?</h2><p>Recoveringyour &#x2018;permanently&#x2019; deleted files is possible as long as you&#x2019;re making an effort with the right device. This means that the data should have been present on a hard disk, USB flash drive, memory card, DVD, or hand-held devices such as tablets or smartphones. These devices are compatible with most of the recovery methods and applications out there. Meanwhile, it&#x2019;s paramount that users of these devices know the requirements before attempting to recover data. For example, Android-based devices have to be rooted before a recovery method is implemented.</p><p>There are still some challenges regarding the success rate of data recovery, but it&#x2019;s important to consider that there are many powerful programs out there with great potential. This means that you needn&#x2019;t be worried about little or common cases of data loss. After all, developments have led to recovery methods being employed for the retrieval of &#x2018;seemingly&#x2019; deleted files from complex storage solutions such as SD cards so there isn&#x2019;t much that users should be concerned about.</p><h2 id="the-limitations">The Limitations</h2><p>As mentioned before, data recovery is no unicorn of the tech world, and even a powerful algorithm has limitations. Primarily, the chances of data retrieval highly depend on the circumstances in which data was lost. Files accidentally dragged to the recycling bin or formatted can be reclaimed but only as long as an anti-virus program hasn&#x2019;t overwritten the device.</p><p>Other cases in which data recovery isn&#x2019;t possible if the storage device has undergone severe damage or infection by a virus. Moreover, attempting to recover files long after they can&#x2019;t be accessed will also be problematic. It&#x2019;s better to stay on the safe side and stop using the storage device as soon as it begins to stop working.</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/possible-data-recovery/" rel="nofollow">What is Possible with Data Recovery?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How do I clean up my computer?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>When you first got your shiny new laptop out of the box and booted it up for the first time you were probably amazed at how quickly everything loaded. After a few years, however, you probably began to notice that everything started to slow down. Does it now take longer</strong></p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/how-do-i-clean-up-my-computer/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e7605caa00019b1497</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 10 Feb 2018 16:09:27 GMT</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>When you first got your shiny new laptop out of the box and booted it up for the first time you were probably amazed at how quickly everything loaded. After a few years, however, you probably began to notice that everything started to slow down. Does it now take longer to open programmes? Does saving large files take minutes rather than a few seconds? Perhaps you have begun to experience regular Windows errors and crashes that interrupt your working day and make completing even the simplest task a challenge? Time to clean-up!</strong><br></p><p><strong>If your pc computer slows down, try to repair your Windows registry, tidy-up your files , check if your memory is full and also check for malware.</strong></p><p>Owning an older computer shouldn&#x2019;t mean struggling to cope with everyday tasks. If properly maintained an older computer should be capable of almost anything a more recently built machine can do. It just needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly.</p><p>If you find your computer slowly grinding to a halt there is no need to panic. There are several things that you can do to identify the problem and resolve the issue. The most likely cause a sluggish computer is a software problem. Follow these simple steps to identify the type of problem you are facing, and resolve the issue.</p><p><strong>Repair your Windows registry</strong><br>A common cause of frequent computer crashes is a corrupted Windows registry. Your registry contains files that are essential to the the operation of your computer. Over time these files can get lost or become damaged, this can result in frequent crashes of your computer when the computer tries to access a file that is corrupted or missing.</p><ul><li><strong>Action:</strong><br>To see if it is a corrupted Windows registry causing your problems you will need to run a Windows Registry cleaner. If you download and run the cleaner it will identify any errors and fix them for you.</li></ul><p><strong>Tidy your files</strong><br>Over time as you store and then delete files on your hard disk most of the computer memory gets filled up, but there are lots of gaps left in the memory where files have been deleted. To fill up these gaps the computer stores bits of your programmes in the gaps rather than storing all of the programme or file together. This means that when you ask the computer to run the programme it needs to fetch the information from lots of places in its memory rather than a single location. This can cause the system to crash or run slowly as it gathers the needed data.</p><ul><li><strong>Action:</strong><br>To defragment your hard disk you will need to use the built-in disk defragmentation utility. You should be able to locate this from your Control Panel. This utility will show you how well organised your computer memory is. Run this utility regular to optimise your computers performance.</li></ul><p><strong>Is your memory too full?</strong><br>You might think that your computer has a huge memory and can&#x2019;t imagine how you could ever fill it up. It&#x2019;s surprising how rapidly that situation changes as you use the computer each day. After a few years of use you could have filled your computer with programmes that you rarely, if ever, use. All of these unused programmes slow down your computer and could be causing it to crash as the computer struggles to find sufficient memory to run whatever task you are requesting.</p><ul><li><strong>Action:</strong><br>Delete programmes which you do not use and clean up your temporary Internet files. You can delete unused programmes by choosing &#x201C;Uninstall a program&#x201D; or &#x201C;Programs and Features.&#x201D; from the Control Panel.</li></ul><p><strong>Check for Malware</strong><br>Malicious software can get on to your computer as you use the Internet. Sometimes it can be a virus that you activated after clicking on a link in an email. At other times it can be adware that is downloaded bundled together with supposedly legitimate software you found online. However it gets on to your computer once it is there it will cause problems for your computer.</p><ul><li><strong>Action:</strong><br>You need to install good antivirus software to remove the virus files from your computer and use the software to scan your computer regularly to prevent future infection. It is worthwhile checking your computer frequently to see if there are any programmes that you don&#x2019;t recognise, or remember downloading. If you do discover something that shouldn&#x2019;t be there then you can uninstall it by accessing &#x201C;Uninstall a program&#x201D; or &#x201C;Programs and Features.&#x201D; from the Control Panel.</li></ul><p>Following these steps should deal with any obvious software problems with your computer and help it to run smoothly once more. If none of these steps work then you will need to look at possible hardware issues with your computer.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How do I fix mousepad that not functioning?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/laptop-touch-pad-stops-working.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="mousepad" loading="lazy"></figure><p><strong>The convenience of a mousepad on a laptop is often taken for granted and the only time you seem to realize this is when it stops functioning. A mouse pad not functioning is a sign of concern but there are plenty of fixes to try out before turning to your</strong></p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/how-do-i-fix-mousepad-that-not-functioning/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e7605caa00019b149b</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 10 Feb 2018 16:05:35 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/laptop-touch-pad-stops-working.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/laptop-touch-pad-stops-working.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="How do I fix mousepad that not functioning?" loading="lazy"></figure><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/laptop-touch-pad-stops-working.jpg" alt="How do I fix mousepad that not functioning?"><p><strong>The convenience of a mousepad on a laptop is often taken for granted and the only time you seem to realize this is when it stops functioning. A mouse pad not functioning is a sign of concern but there are plenty of fixes to try out before turning to your last resort.</strong></p><h2 id="the-computer-is-frozen">The Computer is Frozen</h2><p>An obvious reason why it seems that your mouse pad isn&#x2019;t functioning is that your laptop&#x2019;s operating system has frozen and it isn&#x2019;t accepting any commands. You can check if this is the case by pressing either the scroll lock or num lock keys. Almost every laptop will have a set of buttons indicating when the scroll, num or caps lock keys are pressed. If they do not respond and continue to stay on or off, it essentially means that your computer is frozen so you should restart it and check if the mouse pad is working.</p><h2 id="the-touchpad-button-or-keys">The Touchpad Button or Keys</h2><p>While older versions of laptops come with buttons to control the mouse pad, new models of computers implement a Fn key combination which acts as enabling and disabling the mouse pad. There&#x2019;s a chance that you may have accidentally or intentionally press this button or key combination. If the button is placed to the side, press it to see if it works. Otherwise, you can try a Fn key combination that will bring back you&#x2019;re your mouse pad to optimum health. You can look for a key that works with Fn to enable the touchpad and if you can&#x2019;t, simply Google the brand and model number to get details on the Fn key combination that disables the mouse pad.</p><h2 id="check-you-external-devices">Check You External Devices</h2><p>Certain USB and/or PS/2 devices that you connect to your laptop can automatically disable the feature which leads to the mouse pad not functioning. Do some troubleshooting to find out if that&#x2019;s the reason behind it by disconnecting any devices and restarting your computer. This&#x2019;ll help ensure whether one of the devices disabled the mouse pad or not. If your problem is fixed then you can simply change the mouse settings as described below.</p><h2 id="check-your-mouse-settings">Check Your Mouse settings</h2><p>Windows</p><p>Navigate to the settings by pressing the windows key and typing &#x201C;mouse settings&#x201D; in the search bar. You&#x2019;ll be directed to a window that reads Mouse Properties and that&#x2019;s where you should locate your mouse pad settings. You&#x2019;ll see a box next to the option &#x201C;Enable Touchpad&#x201D;, make sure to check it and click on &#x201C;Apply&#x201D; to save the change.</p><p>Mac</p><p>In macOS X, navigate to the &#x201C;System Preferences&#x201D; option that&#x2019;s located in the Apple menu near the top of your desktop. If you&#x2019;re using a MacBook Pro, the &#x201C;System Preferences&#x201D; option is at the bottom. In the window, you&#x2019;ll find a track pad icon; click on it to access the settings. Make your desired changes and then save them.</p><h2 id="device-manager-and-driver-update">Device Manager and Driver Update</h2><p>If all else fails, the Device Manager can help you update the driver. Navigate to the Device Manager through the Windows key and then click on the option for &#x201C;pointing devices&#x201D;. Find your mouse pad on the list of devices, right-click on it and select the option to update the driver.</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/fix-mousepad-not-functioning/" rel="nofollow">How do I fix mousepad that not functioning?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Laptop Plugged in but The Battery Isn’t Charging]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Have you ever had that mini heart attack when your laptop is about to shut down and you plug it in only to find the battery not charging? You&#x2019;re not alone. The first rule is to not panic, and that&#x2019;s when you can move on to</strong></p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/laptop-plugged-in-but-the-battery-isnt-charging/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e7605caa00019b149f</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 10 Feb 2018 16:01:36 GMT</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Have you ever had that mini heart attack when your laptop is about to shut down and you plug it in only to find the battery not charging? You&#x2019;re not alone. The first rule is to not panic, and that&#x2019;s when you can move on to finding a cure for your laptop battery not charging. Once you&#x2019;ve double check that the laptop is really connected to the charger, you can follow some guidelines on how to make it charge.</strong></p><h2 id="test-without-the-battery">Test Without the Battery</h2><p>The first thing to check is whether the charger is functioning or not. Test this by removing the battery from the laptop and plugging in the charger. Test to see if the laptop boots up and if it does, it&#x2019;s likely that the problem lies with a faulty battery. A damaged battery can potentially obstruct the startup process and the inability to hold up a charge is one of the signs that you need a battery upgrade.</p><h2 id="plugging-the-charger-into-the-correct-usb-c-port">Plugging the Charger Into The Correct USB-C Port</h2><p>The USB-C is widely popular as a cross-platform that can allow charging and the transfer of data. This has become the new standard and although this can lead to the development of sleek and thinner laptop designs, you can also get confused over which one is used for what. Certain models of laptops have designated specific USB-C ports to the transfer of data so when you plug in your charger the battery doesn&#x2019;t respond. Therefore, if you&#x2019;re facing some issues with the laptop battery not charging, the reason may be that you&#x2019;ve plugged the charger into an incorrect port.</p><h2 id="checking-the-cord">Checking the Cord</h2><p>Carefully feel through the power cord for any irregularities in the form of kinks or breakage. Inspect the ends of it to see if there are any connections that have been broken which include plugs pulled loose or parts of it that are missing because of being chewed by your dog etc. Lastly, examine the AC adapter for any discoloration, strange smells or change in shape because of warping. If your nose catches the smell of plastic that&#x2019;s burnt, then it may be time to get a new power cord. There are many reasons why this happens and it includes environmental factors so remember to keep the power cord in a safe place.</p><h2 id="inspect-the-laptop%E2%80%99s-power-jack">Inspect the Laptop&#x2019;s Power Jack</h2><p>Upon plugging in the power connection, the link should feel solid and not loose or weak. If you observe that the receiving socket doesn&#x2019;t stay firm, then your power jack may be damaged within the frame. A symptom of a damaged power jack includes the battery light or indicator blinking. Move your charger within the power jack, if your laptop begins to charge then that&#x2019;s where your problem lies. Again, check for discolorations or strange burning smells of any sort. If your eyes or smell pick anything, then you should get some repairs done.</p><h2 id="keep-it-cool">Keep it Cool</h2><p>Not kidding, it&#x2019;s important that your laptop remains cool and not overheated because that can make a difference between whether it charges or not. You&#x2019;ll come across either one of two problems: the system shuts down to keep the battery from overheating or sensors of the battery send incorrect signals to the system that it&#x2019;s charged. This is likely to occur while using old laptops because they don&#x2019;t possess the cooling technology and even newer laptops if they&#x2019;re placed on surfaces such as blankets which cover the vents and keep it from cooling. It&#x2019;s best to invest in a cooling pad to keep your laptop healthy and avoid overheating because that could potentially burn up and melt essential components within, such as the graphics card.</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/laptop-plugged-battery-isnt-charging/" rel="nofollow">Laptop Plugged in but The Battery Isn&#x2019;t Charging</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why is The Keyboard Not Responding?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p><strong>Despite the popularity of laptops, you&#x2019;d be surprised how many computer users continue to use a PC desktop. This is why a keyboard not responding is still a widespread problem in the community. While most people may simply consider replacing it, there are many people who have invested</strong></p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/why-is-the-keyboard-not-responding/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e7605caa00019b14a3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 10 Feb 2018 15:20:52 GMT</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Despite the popularity of laptops, you&#x2019;d be surprised how many computer users continue to use a PC desktop. This is why a keyboard not responding is still a widespread problem in the community. While most people may simply consider replacing it, there are many people who have invested a considerable amount of money into a keyboard so this isn&#x2019;t an option for them. There are a few fixes you can try before settling for repairs or a new keyboard.</strong></p><h2 id="context-httpsschemaorg-type-faqpage-mainentity-type-question-name-why-is-the-keyboard-not-responding-acceptedanswer-type-answer-text-there-are-many-reasons-why-is-the-keyboard-not-responding-perhaps-there-are-crumbs-stuck-between-or-below-the-key-try-rebooting-your-computer-maybe-the-driver-is-outdated-or-even-a-virus-attack">{ &quot;@context&quot;: &quot;https://schema.org&quot;, &quot;@type&quot;: &quot;FAQPage&quot;, &quot;mainEntity&quot;: [ { &quot;@type&quot;: &quot;Question&quot;, &quot;name&quot;: &quot;why is the keyboard not responding?&quot;, &quot;acceptedAnswer&quot;: { &quot;@type&quot;: &quot;Answer&quot;, &quot;text&quot;: &quot;There are many reasons why is the keyboard not responding. Perhaps there are crumbs stuck between or below the key. Try rebooting your computer. Maybe the driver is outdated. Or even a virus attack.&quot; } } ] }</h2><p>First, determine if your keyboard is working on another computer to determine if the problem isn&#x2019;t with your computer rather than the keyboard. Connect your keyboard to another computer and based on your findings, try the fixes mentioned below.</p><h2 id="crumbs-in-the-keyboard">Crumbs in The Keyboard</h2><p>It&#x2019;s very easy for dust particles and crumbs to get stuck under the keys of your laptop, causing it to be unresponsive to keystrokes. A quick fix is to hold it upside down and give the keyboard a good shake to get out the crumbs. If it still doesn&#x2019;t work, you can use a keyboard vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air to clean out the tight spaces between keys. A full cleaning requires that you clean through individual keys which may be caked up with dirt which is the cause behind them not working.</p><h2 id="reboot-your-computer">Reboot Your Computer</h2><p>If you find that the keyboard is in fact, functioning properly with another computer, the problem may lie in your PC. Rebooting your PC will help reverse the damage by refreshing the system. Any bug that was the cause of your keyboard not responding will be eliminated and it&#x2019;s possible that it&#x2019;ll work again. If it doesn&#x2019;t, then try another method.</p><h2 id="reboot-your-computer-part-2">Reboot Your Computer Part 2</h2><p>When an IT expert gives you the advice of &#x201C;turning it off and on again&#x201D;, they aren&#x2019;t kidding. If simply rebooting your PC doesn&#x2019;t work, you can disconnect the power cord and try again.</p><h2 id="outdated-driver">Outdated Driver</h2><p>The issue of a keyboard not responding may lie with a faulty driver that needs to be updated. Driver problems are sometimes the result of downloading too much third-party software and shutting down your computer from the main power button. Navigate to the device manager by searching through the windows key. Look if there&#x2019;s an exclamation mark near the icon for your keyboard or if there&#x2019;s no icon at all. This means that you need to install the latest driver for your keyboard. You can do so by visiting the download page for the manufacturing company of your PC.</p><h2 id="attack-of-the-virus">Attack Of The Virus</h2><p>If the above-mentioned fixes haven&#x2019;t solved your problem, then it&#x2019;s probable that a virus is a cause of your keyboard not responding. Run a scan through your anti-virus software and get rid of any suspicious applications or software. After you&#x2019;ve done so, check if your keyboard responds to keystrokes.</p><h2 id="defective-keyboard">Defective Keyboard</h2><p>If cleaning your keyboard doesn&#x2019;t do the trick of fixing it, then the problem is much deeper. If you&#x2019;re no hardware expert then leave it to someone who is to diagnose the problem. They can let you know if getting a new one will be cheaper than repairing your old one.</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/keyboard-not-responding/" rel="nofollow">Why is The Keyboard Not Responding?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do I Need Malware Protection?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/xl-2017-malware-1.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="do i need malware" loading="lazy"></figure><p>Malware, short for malicious software, is any software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. &#xA0;Malware is defined by its malicious intent, acting against the requirements of the computer user, and does not include software that causes unintentional harm due to</p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/do-i-need-malware-protection/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e8605caa00019b14a7</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2018 14:22:10 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/xl-2017-malware-1.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/xl-2017-malware-1.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="Do I Need Malware Protection?" loading="lazy"></figure><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/xl-2017-malware-1.jpg" alt="Do I Need Malware Protection?"><p>Malware, short for malicious software, is any software used to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. &#xA0;Malware is defined by its malicious intent, acting against the requirements of the computer user, and does not include software that causes unintentional harm due to some deficiency.</p><p>Most often malware piggy backs on downloads. You may even download it thinking its a good thing. &#xA0;Its sneaky to say the least. AOCS recommends using Malwarebytes.</p><p>Because our computers do important tasks and holds irreplaceable data, keeping it free from malware is a top priority. &#xA0; Only last week while onsite with a client did I install and run a scan for malware, which found over 4,400 malware related files. &#xA0;Get this, the system was still running pretty good before the scan, even had an active Antivirus program. &#xA0;But the information has been compromised.</p><p>A good Antivirus program is still needed. &#xA0;DO NOT rely on just one of these products, use both. &#xA0;For a great solution choose Malwarebytes and Norton Antivirus.</p><p>What it does for you:</p><p>Detects and protects against malware in real-time (very important feature)<br>Blocks hacking and phishing attempts<br>Schedules automatic scanning<br>Offers three flexible scanning modes</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/i-need-malware-protection/" rel="nofollow">Do I Need Malware Protection?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to (body) clean  your laptop]]></title><description><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cleaning-macbook-pro-properly-1264x842.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="clean laptop" loading="lazy"></figure><p>Put a stop to overheating and make your laptop last longer</p><p>Most of us recognise the noise &#x2013; the incessant whirring of an overworked laptop fan, struggling to keep a computer cool. You might put it down to old age, assuming that notebooks always get noisier and hotter until, eventually,</p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/how-to-body-clean-your-laptop/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e8605caa00019b14ab</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 04 Nov 2017 20:13:10 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cleaning-macbook-pro-properly-1264x842-1024x682.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure class="kg-card kg-image-card"><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cleaning-macbook-pro-properly-1264x842.jpg" class="kg-image" alt="How to (body) clean  your laptop" loading="lazy"></figure><img src="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cleaning-macbook-pro-properly-1264x842-1024x682.jpg" alt="How to (body) clean  your laptop"><p>Put a stop to overheating and make your laptop last longer</p><p>Most of us recognise the noise &#x2013; the incessant whirring of an overworked laptop fan, struggling to keep a computer cool. You might put it down to old age, assuming that notebooks always get noisier and hotter until, eventually, they just stop working.</p><p>That doesn&#x2019;t have to be the case though. When your laptop is starting to get on a bit, overheating and shutting down on its own, it might not be worn out &#x2013; it might just be dirty.</p><p>However clean you keep the outside of your notebook, dust inevitably gets sucked into fans, crumbs fall into keyboards and fluff gets into vents.</p><p>We have already looked at how to clean the inside of your desktop computer to keep it running smoothly. You can do the same to your laptop, but it&#x2019;s a much more complicated job, requiring a good deal of technical confidence and steady nerves.</p><p>To help you get started, we&#x2019;ve put together a few tips on tearing down and cleaning the inside of your mobile machine.</p><p>Laptop model designs vary considerably. You can broadly assume that machines in the same range will disassemble in the same way, but that&#x2019;s no guarantee. Peculiarities in design can arise due to specific configurations.</p><p>In some cases you may be able to access the internal parts you need to clean through panels on the bottom of the case. For example, if you can get to the CPU, heatsink and fan without having to take apart your machine, then the cleaning process will be much shorter, easier and less likely to end in tears.</p><p>Flip your notebook over and have a good look right now. See if you can identify the panels. There are likely to be access panels for RAM, your hard drive and optical drives and, if you&#x2019;re lucky, the main board.</p><p>If motherboard access isn&#x2019;t offered here, you may need to take a deep breath and partially dismantle the notebook.</p><p>As we said, laptop assembly varies between brands and models, but there are two main ways to get into most notebooks &#x2013; through the top or through the bottom.</p><p>If your machine is accessed from the bottom, you&#x2019;re in luck. These machines are often easier to disassemble &#x2013; at least enough to access the bits that you&#x2019;ll need to clean. If your laptop has to be cracked open from the top down, you&#x2019;ll generally have to start by removing the keyboard.</p><p>Our advice is never to go blundering in. You should always start your teardown routine by sourcing and reading a manual carefully. The document we&#x2019;re talking about here is a different one to the user manual that came in your laptop box.</p><p>It&#x2019;s called a service manual or maintenance manual. How easy it is to get hold of will depend on your manufacturer. Try visiting your notebook manufacturer&#x2019;s website first, and look under &#x2018;Support&#x2019; for maintenance documents. If that fails, try Repair4Laptop, which is a free database with links to service manuals and teardown guides for hundreds of machines.</p><p>Tooling up</p><p>You&#x2019;ve got a laptop that needs cleaning and a service manual. Now what you need are the right tools to start the job. We&#x2019;ll divide these into case-opening tools and cleaning tools for convenience. You&#x2019;ll need a set of electrical screwdrivers to handle the small Philips and flat-head screws found in notebook cases.</p><p>If you have a Dell or Apple notebook, you may also need to find a set of TORX screwdrivers. A search on Maplin&#x2019;s website reveals you shouldn&#x2019;t have to pay much more than a fiver per set.</p><p>Torx screwdrivers</p><p>A plastic putty knife or guitar plectrum is a handy thing to have when you&#x2019;re opening notebooks. You can use it to pry open seams held together by plastic clips.</p><p>Article published on <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/how-to-clean-your-laptop-of-dust-and-dirt-942783">TechRadar</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/how-to-clean-your-laptop/" rel="nofollow">How to (body) clean &#xA0;your laptop</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tips for Speeding Up Your PC]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Nothing can put a damper on productivity quite like a computer that crashes on a regular basis. Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the dreaded &#x201C;blue screen of death&#x201D; or another warning; other times, a computer simply shuts off without any warning at all. In either case, the</p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/tips-for-speeding-up-your-pc/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e8605caa00019b14af</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Nov 2017 16:33:57 GMT</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nothing can put a damper on productivity quite like a computer that crashes on a regular basis. Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the dreaded &#x201C;blue screen of death&#x201D; or another warning; other times, a computer simply shuts off without any warning at all. In either case, the end result is a whole lot of frustration, aggravation and lost work. If your computer has been crashing frequently, you&#x2019;d probably like to put an end to it. Unfortunately, getting to the bottom of things if often easier said than done. The following tips about improving your computer&#x2019;s performance, though, are excellent places to begin.</p><p>Possibility #1: Corrupted System Registry Files<br>Every Windows-based PC has something called a Windows registry. The registry contains several files that are integral to the performance and operation of your computer. Over time, some of those files can become corrupted, be misplaced or get lost altogether. When that happens, the system registry becomes compromised &#x2013; and frequent crashes are all-too-common symptoms. The best way to rule this possibility in or out is by running a Windows registry cleaning program. Such programs scan your Windows registry for problems then automatically make repairs. If you run a registry cleaner and the crashes persist, they are probably being caused by a different issue.</p><p>Possibility #2: Disorganized Files<br>Windows operating systems handle file organization in a way that isn&#x2019;t very intuitive. Basically, they break files up and fit them into gaps in the computer&#x2019;s memory. As time goes by, these disorganized files can prompt frequent crashes. Luckily, a great optimization solution is built right into Windows-based PCs: the disk defragmentation utility. Although its location on a computer varies, you can generally locate it within the System and Security section inside the Control Panel. By running a defrag once every few months, you may be able to keep those pesky computer crashes at bay.</p><p>Possibility #3: Malicious Software<br>Malicious software can take many different forms. Sometimes, it&#x2019;s a virus that is accidentally unleashed after opening a strange email; other times, its adware that tags along with other information that is automatically downloaded from a website. Whatever type it is, there&#x2019;s no question that malicious software can wreak havoc on a computer&#x2019;s performance. Happily, there are many topnotch programs out there that regularly scan your computer for the presence of such problems &#x2013; and that help guard against them, too. Buy one, install it and use it regularly; your crash issues may come to an end.</p><p>Possibility #4: Too Little Available Memory<br>When you buy a new computer, it feels like there&#x2019;s no end to the amount of memory that it has. Of course, this isn&#x2019;t true at all. As never-ending as the available memory on your PC may initially seem, the fact is that it can be depleted with incredible speed. You can find out for sure by checking the information within &#x201C;My Computer.&#x201D; If it appears that your available memory is low, you can use a PC cleanup program to remove unnecessary files; such programs remove things like temporary Internet files and other file debris that can suck away much-needed memory.</p><p>Possibility #5: Overheating<br>If you&#x2019;ve run through all of the preceding possibilities and continue experiencing frequent crashes, a hardware issue could be to blame. An easy one to rule out is overheating. A computer&#x2019;s CPU, or central processing unit, includes a fan that is designed to keep it running cool. Sometimes, the fan wears down and doesn&#x2019;t work as efficiently; other times, it&#x2019;s just not able to handle the work that your computer has to do. In either case, buying a bigger, better fan isn&#x2019;t very expensive. If it puts an end to your PC crashing problem, it will have been more than worth it.<br>Don&#x2019;t Put Up with Frequent Crashes!</p><p>As discussed, frequent computer crashes can be triggered by a wide variety of issues. Luckily, many of these issues are relatively easy to remedy. Work your way through the preceding list; chances are, you&#x2019;ll be able to pinpoint the problem and put an effective cure to work. Nine times out of ten, a computer simply needs a little bit of routine maintenance to get it back on track again. In the future, keep these points in mind. Any time you buy a new computer, keep up with its basic maintenance right from the get-go. By doing that, you could avoid &#x201C;blue screen of death&#x201D; and crashing problems altogether &#x2013; and that&#x2019;s something that you&#x2019;re bound to appreciate!</p><p>The post <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk/tips-for-speeding-up-your-pc/" rel="nofollow">Tips for Speeding Up Your PC</a> appeared first on <a href="https://acronymcomputers.co.uk" rel="nofollow">Acronym Computers UK</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why is My PC Crashing?]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Nothing can put a damper on productivity quite like a computer / pc crashing on a regular basis. Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the dreaded &#x201C;blue screen of death&#x201D; or another warning; other times, a computer simply shuts off without any warning at all. In either case, the</p>]]></description><link>https://blog.acronymcomputers.co.uk/why-is-my-pc-crashing/</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f698e8605caa00019b14b3</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Ghost]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 02 Nov 2017 16:30:51 GMT</pubDate><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nothing can put a damper on productivity quite like a computer / pc crashing on a regular basis. Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the dreaded &#x201C;blue screen of death&#x201D; or another warning; other times, a computer simply shuts off without any warning at all. In either case, the end result is a whole lot of frustration, aggravation and lost work. If your computer has been crashing frequently, you&#x2019;d probably like to put an end to it. Unfortunately, getting to the bottom of things if often easier said than done. The following tips about improving your computer&#x2019;s performance, though, are excellent places to begin.<br>Possibility #1: Corrupted System Registry Files</p><p>Every Windows-based PC has something called a Windows registry. The registry contains several files that are integral to the performance and operation of your computer. Over time, some of those files can become corrupted, be misplaced or get lost altogether. When that happens, the system registry becomes compromised &#x2013; and frequent crashes are all-too-common symptoms. The best way to rule this possibility in or out is by running a Windows registry cleaning program. Such programs scan your Windows registry for problems then automatically make repairs. If you run a registry cleaner and the crashes persist, they are probably being caused by a different issue.<br>Possibility #2: Disorganized Files</p><p>Windows operating systems handle file organization in a way that isn&#x2019;t very intuitive. Basically, they break files up and fit them into gaps in the computer&#x2019;s memory. As time goes by, these disorganized files can prompt frequent crashes. Luckily, a great optimization solution is built right into Windows-based PCs: the disk defragmentation utility. Although its location on a computer varies, you can generally locate it within the System and Security section inside the Control Panel. By running a defrag once every few months, you may be able to keep those pesky computer crashes at bay.<br>Possibility #3: Malicious Software</p><p>Malicious software can take many different forms. Sometimes, it&#x2019;s a virus that is accidentally unleashed after opening a strange email; other times, its adware that tags along with other information that is automatically downloaded from a website. Whatever type it is, there&#x2019;s no question that malicious software can wreak havoc on a computer&#x2019;s performance. Happily, there are many topnotch programs out there that regularly scan your computer for the presence of such problems &#x2013; and that help guard against them, too. Buy one, install it and use it regularly; your crash issues may come to an end.<br>Possibility #4: Too Little Available Memory</p><p>When you buy a new computer, it feels like there&#x2019;s no end to the amount of memory that it has. Of course, this isn&#x2019;t true at all. As never-ending as the available memory on your PC may initially seem, the fact is that it can be depleted with incredible speed. You can find out for sure by checking the information within &#x201C;My Computer.&#x201D; If it appears that your available memory is low, you can use a PC cleanup program to remove unnecessary files; such programs remove things like temporary Internet files and other file debris that can suck away much-needed memory.<br>Possibility #5: Overheating</p><p>If you&#x2019;ve run through all of the preceding possibilities and continue experiencing frequent crashes, a hardware issue could be to blame. An easy one to rule out is overheating. A computer&#x2019;s CPU, or central processing unit, includes a fan that is designed to keep it running cool. Sometimes, the fan wears down and doesn&#x2019;t work as efficiently; other times, it&#x2019;s just not able to handle the work that your computer has to do. In either case, buying a bigger, better fan isn&#x2019;t very expensive. If it puts an end to your PC crashing problem, it will have been more than worth it.<br>Don&#x2019;t Put Up with Frequent Crashes!</p><p>As discussed, frequent computer crashes can be triggered by a wide variety of issues. Luckily, many of these issues are relatively easy to remedy. Work your way through the preceding list; chances are, you&#x2019;ll be able to pinpoint the problem and put an effective cure to work. Nine times out of ten, a computer simply needs a little bit of routine maintenance to get it back on track again. In the future, keep these points in mind. Any time you buy a new computer, keep up with its basic maintenance right from the get-go. By doing that, you could avoid &#x201C;blue screen of death&#x201D; and crashing problems altogether &#x2013; and that&#x2019;s something that you&#x2019;re bound to appreciate!</p>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>