The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an overwhelming burden on CDO Technology, and it is with deep sadness that we have decided to close our operation. We would like to thank our customers for allowing us to be part of your lives during our 22 years of operation in Greenville. We wish you all health, success, and prosperity.

We would like to refer our business customers to Greenville IT Services for their Business IT Services including: Onsite Service, Remote IT Service, Networking, Backup Services, Structured Cabling, Surveillance Camera Systems, and Managed IT Services.

Check out Greenville IT Services at:

GreenvilleITS.com

How to Safely Clean an LCD Monitor

How to Safely Clean an LCD Monitor

by | Aug 12, 2014 | CDO Technology News, Maintenance, Monitors

Safely and Efficiently Cleaning LCD’s.

As the old CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors continue to rapidly exit the scene of everyday life, they are replaced by the sharp, high resolution LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors. Like all screens, LCD’s collect significant amounts of dust and smudges. The question that many encounter is, “How can I clean my LCD safely?”. It is important to clean an LCD monitor correctly to get the best experience from it.

The first step is to examine what not to use to clean an LCD. First, standard cleaning products that contain chemicals like ammonia or alcohol should be avoided. A common product people have used is Windex. These kinds of chemicals can damage an LCD by causing the coating on the LCD to degrade or come completely off. Regular tap water is also not advisable due to the chemicals and minerals it contains. It is also important to avoid spraying any product directly onto an LCD. LCD monitors are not water tight, and any liquid could seep in and damage the internal components of the monitor.

A second issue to address is what kind of cloth not to use when wiping the screen. Regular cleaning rags can be abrasive and have small bits of material that can scratch the screen. Any kind of paper products, like paper towel should not be used on an LCD due to their rough constitution. Although they may appear or feel soft, paper products can still damage the LCD’s surface.

What is the correct way? As far as cleaning solutions go, many office supply and computer stores sell special solutions specifically designed for LCD’s. Another common option is to make your own solution which normally consists of 50% distilled water and 50% vinegar. Distilled water can also be used by itself because it has been purged of minerals and chemicals. The best cloth to use is a microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths are often sold with LCD monitors or with screen cleaner solutions. Another option is special, anti-static wipes designed particularly for cleaning an LCD, although these are less commonly sold.

Once the necessary items are assembled, the cleaning of the LCD can begin.

  • First, turn off the LCD monitor. It is also recommended that the monitor be unplugged to reduce risk of electric shock.
  • Second, it is suggested, though not necessary, to use some canned air to blow any loose dust of the surface of the LCD.
  • Next, apply the cleaning solution to your microfiber cloth. Only get the cloth damp not soaked. Using a spray bottle to apply it can help accomplish this.
  • Finally, gently wipe the LCD. To get the best results, wipe horizontally across the screen, while being sure to only press very gently. Allow the LCD to air dry afterward.

Following these guidelines can ensure you get the best visual experience from your LCD monitor. Cleaning your monitor properly and regularly can also improve its life span and overall performance.

What is a Network and What Devices are Required?

What is a Network and What Devices are Required?

by | Jul 14, 2014 | CDO Technology News, Networking

What is a network and what devices are required for a network?

Network devices are required for every network, but not all devices are needed for every network. A network is a variety of computers, mobile devices, and/or servers that are connected to each other. Every computer in a network has a NIC – a network interface card – that allows it to connect either by ethernet (a wired connection) or through wireless.

The two main types of networks are LAN (local area network) and WAN (wide area network). Each uses a subset of the devices. LANs use hubs or switches, network adapters, routers, modems (either external or internal) and cables. WANs use telephone lines such as ISDN, routers, and switches.

Networks that connect through cables (wired) usually use ethernet cables inside buildings, and coaxial or fiber optic cables outside. Wireless networks simply use the air for transferring information. Switches and routers are devices that connect computers to each other and to the server or modem.

A switch is a central point to which several devices connect, to facilitate communication between them. Switches have intelligence and know the MAC address (physical hardware identifier) and passes on data to only the computer for which it is intended. This increases the speed of the entire network due to less congestion.

Routers extend networks by passing packets between logical networks. They are usually used in networks that use TCP/IP and dedicated lines. They use logical addresses (in this case, IP addresses) to move data to its destination. They rout packets and filter, when set up to do so.

Gateways connect networks that use different protocols. The default gateway is used to route packets to remote networks. Without a gateway, the local network is the limit for communication. To go between protocols, the gateway will accept the data and repackage it using the destination’s protocol. A gateway also connects home networks with the internet. Because of this, it is wise to have it configured to be secure, in order to prevent unwanted outside traffic from accessing private data inside the network.

A wireless access point (WAP) consists of a wireless network card with a transceiver. This device handles signals between computers in the area and the network set up by the home or business. This is the type of device used by most hotels and motels that provide free wifi access. They usually include an ethernet port which wires it to the network.

It sometimes happens that there will be dead zones when using WAPs. To prevent this, a wireless range extender can be used. These devices come in various sizes to extend coverage just a little or a lot, to allow coverage throughout an entire home, regardless of its size.