Router or Modem – What’s the difference?

Routers and modems are “hardware” – They are individual devices with very distinct and separate functions.

A ROUTER is not really essential for internet communication. It is still possible to connect to the internet without routers just like in the old days with internal PCI modems. But you should remember that the main job of the router is to protect you from possible threats and malware, and this shouldn’t be taken very lightly

A MODEM, is the device (or piece of hardware) that allows us to connect our computers – either wired or wirelessly – to the internet. Typically, the modem you use will be provided by your internet provider – you can purchase your own, but be sure that the model you choose will work with the connection from your internet provider (telecommunication company, cable company or satellite provider) before making the purchase. Without a modem, you cannot connect to the internet.

More and more often today, you can purchase combined router/modems so that you don’t have to have 2 separate devices in your work area, such as wi-fi modems that are equipped with routing capabilities which can be wireless or wired or both. There’s no question that in the future, there will be no practical need for cables anymore and all wi-fi modems will also have wifi router functions.

What are Drivers?

DRIVERS ARE THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMS THAT CONTROL HARDWARE DEVICES.

All devices (printer, disk drive, keyboard, mouse) must have a driver software program.

Many drivers, such as the keyboard driver, come with the operating system; for other devices, you may need to “load” a new driver when you connect the device to your computer.

• In DOS systems, drivers are files with a.SYS extension
  In Windows environments, drivers often have a.DRV extension

Each device has its own set of special commands that only its driver knows. In contrast, most programs access devices by using generic commands. Almost all drivers can be “downloaded” directly from the manufacturer’s website, to ensure that you have the most current DRIVER installed on your system.

If a device isn't working correctly - such as your printer, scanner, webcam etc. - go to the manufacturer's website and "download" the driver again - it will see that you have software on your computer already for the hardware and will simply modify the instructions/software already on your computer.

Personally I do this twice a year (such as when the clocks change) to make sure my driver software is always the most up-t-date. it's quick and easy and it's free..

What are computer Drives

Drives are the “hardware/equipment” that read and write the information the various disks.

Disc drives rotate the disk very fast and have one or more heads that can read and/or write data to them..

When “drives” are put into the computer, the computer assigns them a “letter” making it easier to identify them to then be able t see what is stored/filed on the specific drive, such as:

• "C" is typically the Hard Drive on almost all computers is
• "D" is often times the CD or DVD Drive
• "E" or "F"- when you put your flash drive in the USB Port in one computer it might be the “E” Drive – in another computer it might be the “F” drive..

The "letter" the computer assigns, allows you to know where things are..

There are different types of disc drives, but the common ones that we work with are:

• CD-Rom can read audio and data CD discs
• CR-RW drives can read and record (burn) audio and data CD discs
• DVD-ROM drives can read CD and DVD discs
• DVD+RW+R Drives, can read and write (burn) CD and DVD discs
• COMBINATION DRIVES, combine the functions of 2 rives into one-either a DVD+RW/+R drive and a CD-RW drive or a DVD-RIM drive and a CR-RW drive
• Flash/jump drive and read and write to a flash/jump drive
• Hard disk drive (HDD) reads and writes hard disks (can be internal or external or totally portable)
• “6 in 1” - “50 In 1” Memory Card Readers – allows you to read from the memory cards of digital cameras and other media devices

Disk drives can be either internal (housed within the computer) or external (housed in a separate box that connects to the computer)

What is a Firewall??

A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both.
Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets.
All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.
Many anti-virus programs contain firewalls which you can turn on or off when you want to download authorized new programs
Your Internet provider has numerous firewalls and other security precautions to protect them and all of us when we are using their Internet services

COPY FILES FROM COMPUTER TO A FLASH DRIVE

Copy and Paste is the same whether you are copying an article in the paper or an email you've received or from one page in word to another page or another document... Steps are:

1. Highlight what you want to copy
2. Give the command to Copy
3. Go to where you want to put the item
4. Give the command to Paste...

So you do the same thing when you are copying a folder, group of folders or various files to and from your flash/removable drive...

1. Open My Computer to see which drives are shown.
2. Insert flash drive in the USB port, it will appear as “removable drive” or indicate the company name (Removable Disk (G)
3. Open MY DOCUMENTS & Select the files or folders you want to copy to flash drive by left-clicking on them. To copy multiple, hold the CTRL key while you click & select all of the files you wish to save.
4. RIGHT-CLICK on the folders you want to copy (or go to Menu Bar & Edit) and choose COPY.
5. Go to “My Computer”; choose the correct Drive you want to copy your work/files/folders to; highlight that drive (i.e. "Removable Disk (G:),
6. RIGHT-CLICK on the Drive (or go to Menu Bar & Edit); choose PASTE

When the copying is finished, DO NOT IMMEDIATELY REMOVE THE FLASH DRIVE FROM THE USB PORT - Left-click on the REMOVE HARDWARE icon located in the System Tray to the far right of your Task Bar on the bottom of your monitor screen, to be sure it says: SAFELY REMOVE STORAGE DEVICE.