Computer Tutorials: What is Windows Registry?

Computer Registry or popularly known as Windows Registry is a central storage area of different kinds of data from all parts of a computer system. Specifically, it consists of information coming from the hardware settings, applications stored, Operating system used and the users of that particular computer unit. Modern version of Windows Registry such as the ones found in Windows 9x, have already combined the REG.DAT and INI files. Its obvious advantage from its older version is the easy access of varied files. It is also ideal for massive structured data due to its simple hierarchy.

When inspecting a Windows Registry, one may think that all of the data came from a single source. Actually, the displayed data is stored on different physical files. User-specific information are stored in USER.DAT while computer-specific information is stored in SYSTEM.DAT.

Its architecture is well organized therefore it is easy to understand. On the left part of the display is the registry tree while on the right pane is a list of data. The tree is divided into 6 parts which are called root keys or top-level keys. They can be easily identified because their names would usually start with HKEY_. Each top level key holds sub keys. These sub keys could also contain a set of sub keys. The lowest levels of keys are called values.

Applications use the registry by adding or deleting a key. Consequently it can also create and delete the value from a key. Frequent installation and removal of programs in a computer could cause invalid and missing keys, which in turn causes the system to crash and the computer to slow down. Constantly removing of hardware and spywares on a computer also adds up problems to your Windows system registry.

It is possible to view and edit the registry using the Registry Editor provided by your operating system. Or you could also opt using the third party editors. However, it is strongly suggested to stick with the Microsoft product. Great care must be considered in editing the registry. Errors in registry could seriously immobilize your computer. But if you are equipped with the right knowledge and technical know-hows editing the registry would be an easy task.

How to Install a Video Card

Graphics accelerator card or fondly called as Video card is a computer expansion feature which has the sole responsibility of producing images for display outputs. In early computers, it is normally integrated with the unit’s motherboard and referred to as video controller or graphics controller. Installing or upgrading video cards to high end ones greatly improve gaming and multimedia applications of the computer. Below is a step by step process on how to successfully install a video card in your computer.

1. Gather the required tools.
- screwdriver
- Video card manual
- Instruction manual that comes with your computer
- An anti-static bracelet (optional)

2. Turn off the computer.

3. Remove all the peripheral devices connected to the computer.

4. Using the computer’s instruction manual, follow the correct steps in removing the cover of the chassis or the case. Ground yourself by wearing an anti-static bracelet or by touching the metal part of the chassis.

5. Find the port wherein your monitor cable was attached. Unscrew the metal bracket.

6. Before pulling out the video card, check first if there are wires attached to the central chip of the video card. If there are, unplug them first.

7. Pull the video card out from its slot. Do this gently. Place the video card on a clean paper towel handling only on its edges.

8. Place your new video card’s gold contacts towards its slot on the motherboard. Insert it into the slot. Completing the installation of a video card might vary this is where the video card manual comes in handy. Follow its instructions on how to connect additional wires present in your new video card.

9. Replaced all the remove screws. Connect all the peripheral devices initially connected on the computer.

10. Turn you computer on. If an image is displayed on your screen this means that the video card was properly installed.

11. Instructions would be shown on how to install the driver necessary to run the new video card. Also, check the video card’s manual for specific instructions on how to perform this. Normally, the required driver files are included with the video card in the form of a CD.