Simple Computer Tune-up: Speed Up Your PC- P33: As more and more software becomes available and computers increase in complexity, problems with performance are cer- tain to arise. If your PC is misbehaving, don’t let it ruin your book explains how to make the best out of your PC by using PC Pitstop Optimize, which cures many PC “sicknesses” with- out the need for upgrading or replacing your existing PC. | 142 Part III Bonus Material Determine Your Hard Drive s Interface All hard drives use special data cables to transfer information to and from the rest of your computer. By finding out what type of interface those cables have you will be able to identify the style of your hard drive which is crucial if you ever decide to upgrade it to a faster model or add a second one . 1. Turn off your computer and unplug it from all electrical outlets. This will prevent you from receiving a serious electrical shock and will protect the computer from being damaged. 2. Remove the computer s cover. 3. Look for your hard drive see Figure 12-6 which is one of the few devices that have data cables also called ribbon cables and power cables connected to them. Figure 12-6 Example of hard drive inside your PC a. If the hard drive has a flat ribbon cable connected to it you are probably using an IDE or EIDE interface. b. If the hard drive has a different type of data cable connected to it like a round one you are probably using a Serial ATA interface. Chapter 12 Analyze Your PC 143 Another way to determine your hard drive s interface is to look in the Windows Device Manager. For Windows 2000 and Windows XP Home Pro 1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. If this icon is not available click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows and right-click My Computer. If you can t find the My Computer icon anywhere do the following a. Right-click in the empty space on your desktop. b. Select Properties. c. A window opens. Click the Desktop tab. d. Near the bottom of the window click the Customize Desktop button. e. Another window opens. On the General tab beneath the words Desktop Icons place a checkmark in the My Computer box. f. Click OK. g. You are returned to the previous screen. Click Apply. h. Click OK. i. The My Computer icon appears on your desktop. Right-click it. 2. Select Properties. 3. A window opens. Click the Hardware tab. 4. Click the Device Manager button. 5.
