How to Successfully Upgrade a PC

Upgrading any computer equipment can be tricky but if follow a few simple tips you can speed up that old desktop computer in no time.

The first thing you need to do before upgrading your computer is take some specifications. You will need the make and model of the motherboard. This the main part of a computer In which everything else attaches to. You will need to know:

The Processor

The Processor is the heart of the computer. It is most commonly known as the CPU. The motherboard documentation will tell you which processor it accepts. This is normally either Intel or AMD. Depending on the age of the processor will also determine its speed, size and other factors. You will also need to know what Front side bus (FSB) your processor accepts. The FSB is the speed your motherboard can run at. The processor on the other hand takes this speed and multiplies it depending on which processor you have bought. So for example say you have a motherboard that runs at either 100, 133, 200, or 266mhz the processor may actually run at 2.5 Ghz. The motherboard must therefore be able to support these speeds. For example's of which processors will fit your motherboard, this can be usually found in your motherboard documentation or online.

Installing a processor will all depend on the type you have bought. Some work on ZIF (zero insertion force) with a handle that must be placed safely into place, to grip the processor, while some need a special heat sink added to them because of the heat they generate. Trying to run these kind of processors (especially the AMD Duron or Athlon) without a heat sink in place, will more than likely damage the processor and your motherboard. Always read up on how to install the memory before inserting it. Most of the times there will be a marking on the motherboard and on the processor to show you the pins should be lined up.

The Memory

The memory of a computer also comes in various speeds and various models. Again your motherboard documentation should be able to explain which memory you should buy. These can come in different speeds. PC2100, PC2700 or even PC3200. These are called dimm's or dual-inline memory modules. The memory is vital for your computer and depending on the applications your going to use, vital for the overall system performance. Because of it's delicate nature, always be careful when handling chips. Do not handle it by the semi conductors or pins, always handle it from the top and gently apply pressure till it slots into place. There are usually snappers that will grasp one end of the memory. Just snap the other end into place.

Graphics Cards

Depending on the kind of motherboard you have, will depend on the graphics card you can install. This will either be the AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) Or PCI express. These work in the similar way to the memory apart from you will need to screw this to the outside of the chassis of your PC tower.

In summary, always read up before attempting any repairs of a PC yourself or get a computer repair center to do the repairs for you.

Neil Maycock writes articles on PC repair for Atlanta Repair Center

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The New Rules For Successfully Landing Media Coverage

This truly is a new age in the public relations and media world. The Internet has turned the communication world on its head. Many say it heralds the end of traditional media, but I believe what is actually happening is not the death throws of one form of media, but a morphing of different forms of communications. This new media world is still young, but, when the dust settles, it will result in the advent of a new, more exciting and more robust media and communications world.

One of the upsides of the net, social media and blogs, is that you can now learn so much about writers, editors and producers that you are pitching. You can learn their interests and study their writings Now, when you pitch a story, you can have a much better take on whether your pitch is appropriate or off-base. You can still call or email to make sure you're making an appropriate pitch, but the information that the Internet now puts at your fingertips makes it much easier to be prepared and go in with the right pitch.

This type of homework does take some time, but that is one of the many changes in the world of PR and media relations. Instead of sending out hundreds of emails and packages hoping that a few hit the right target, which, sadly, is how things happen much of the time, the savvy approach is to pick a small number of media contacts, do your research and make more focused targeted pitches.

With That In Mind The New Rules For Pitching The Media Are:

1) Develop a strong pitch for your product or service.

2) Don't just make it a sales pitch, come up with a story

3) Study various media outlets that would be appropriate to pitch your story to

4) Find specific writers and producers that work at those media outlets

5) Go online, find articles, blogs or segments they've done and study their work.

6) Make a list of between 25 to 30 journalists to pitch

7) Tailor your release and a cover letter to each particular journalist's needs and interests

8) Send out your pitch via email or mail. Sometimes snail mail is more effective.

9) Wait a day or two and make follow-up calls.

10) Don't use the calls to sell, but to build relationships.

Effective PR is all about communication. If you communicate your story and pitch effectively and appropriately, you might not land a story with each pitch, but you will build strong relationships with the media. They will see you as a resource who understands their needs and their market. Take the time to understand what the media is looking for and you're positioning yourself for success.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2010

I'm Anthony Mora, President and CEO of Anthony Mora Communications, Inc. and author of Spin to Win. We specialize in public relations, image development, media training and Transformational Marketing, http://anthonymora.com.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

How to Successfully Pitch the Media

To get the media's attention you need to pitch a story that the media can actually hear. That sounds obvious, but it's easy to miss that fact. Most people pitch the story they want to tell and pay no attention to developing a story that the media's interested in. Don't think just because you think your story is great that the media will share that opinion. Remember your business is fascinating to you because it's your baby, you live, eat and breathe it. But chances are not everyone is going to feel the same way, particularly the media. The press has specific needs; they have a target market that they need to cater to and they have ratings they need to worry about. Their job is to both entertain and inform. Each media also has a specific target market that it's catering to. So, how do you know which stories they'll go for? You won't; they're not even sure. Producers and editors are constantly scrambling for new story ideas. Whereas there is no sure fire way to know exactly what the media wants, there are some.

1) Study the media outlets that you're interested in.

2) Think backwards. Look at your business from the point of view of an editor or producer.

3) Make a list of the business-oriented stories that you can pitch to the media

4) Make a list of the human interest-oriented stories you can pitch

5) Make a list of your top five compelling stories

6) Pick your first story and write a dynamic one-page press release.

7) Build a media list with the appropriate contacts for your type of story

8) Send out your releases

9) Give it a few days and make follow-up phone calls

10) Be patient, understand the first story might not be the one, keep trying.

Your job is to understand their job and by doing so, figuring out what type of stories will work for them. Remember, if you meet the media's needs, you will meet yours. It's important to craft and pitch a story compelling enough to capture the media's attention - a story that in essence is strong enough to become the news.

Copyright© Anthony Mora 2009

Anthony Mora
President & CEO

Anthony Mora began his media career as a freelance journalist for such publications as Us, Rolling Stone and other local and national publications. He also served as editor-in-chief of two Los Angeles-based entertainment and lifestyle-oriented publications. In 1990, Anthony formed Anthony Mora Communications, Inc. a Los Angeles-based media relations company that specializes in media placement, image development, and media training. AMC Inc. has placed clients in: Time, Newsweek, 60 Minutes, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and other local, national, and international media outlets. ! Anthony has been featured in: USA Today, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The BBC, CNN, Entrepreneur, Fox News, MSNBC, and other media. He has written three books. The most recent, "Spin to Win," is a step-by-step guide on how to define goals and utilize the power of the media to achieve success in any field.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

The Secrets to Successfully Landing Media Coverage

One of the biggest mistakes companies make when launching a PR campaign is that they approach the media as one huge unified organization. When it comes to approaching the media, keep in mind that there is no one media outlet. You are not pitching one story, nor are you pitching one media source. To be successful you need to be developing a number of different stories to pitch to a variety of different media outlets. Each media source has needs and interests that are specific to it. For example, what is going to interest the Wall Street Journal will be different than what will interest People, just as a pitch that could grab Oprah's attention won't be the same one you'd use to land a story in Playboy. The primary secret to a successful PR campaign is to focus on what the various media outlets need and pitch each outlet accordingly.

Develop your primary story: Your basic story may well stay somewhat the same, but you need to modify the pitch to meet the needs of each magazine, newspaper, radio show and TV outlet. Develop a number of secondary pitch ideas: if you're really going to be successful, you're going to want to develop a number of story ideas. Don't always stick with the obvious story. If you're launching a new beauty product, or a new technology product chances are you're going to want to focus 100% on the new product. Of course that is your primary pitch, but if you stop there, you're narrowing the media bulls-eye.

Is there a trend story connected to your product? Is there a client who's life you've changed who is willing to tell his or her story to the media? Is there a business-oriented story you could develop? Is there a human interest story that has to do with how the product was developed? Is there a seasonal or holiday story? The list continues. Take some time, brainstorm, be creative.

After you've developed your stories your next step is to create an appropriate, targeted media list. Now combine the two, match the various pitches to the appropriate media outlets. Don't pitch a sportswriter a beauty story and don't pitch a business magazine a warm and fuzzy human interest story. Study the various media outlets out there. Learn what they need. Read, watch and listen to the stories they run. Educate yourself. Create compelling stories, a targeted media list and a strong pitch. Now you're set; launch an effective, successful media campaign and watch your business grow.

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2009

Anthony Mora
President & CEO

Anthony Mora began his media career as a freelance journalist for such publications as Us, Rolling Stone and other local and national publications. He also served as editor-in-chief of two Los Angeles-based entertainment and lifestyle-oriented publications. In 1990, Anthony formed Anthony Mora Communications, Inc. a Los Angeles-based media relations company that specializes in media placement, image development, and media training. AMC Inc. has placed clients in: Time, Newsweek, 60 Minutes, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and other local, national, and international media outlets. ! Anthony has been featured in: USA Today, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The BBC, CNN, Entrepreneur, Fox News, MSNBC, and other media. He has written three books. The most recent, "Spin to Win," is a step-by-step guide on how to define goals and utilize the power of the media to achieve success in any field.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.