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    16Jan, 2012
    Server Application Development

    Server Application Development

    Server-side applications in the managed world are implemented through runtime hosts. Unmanaged applications host the common language runtime which allows your custom managed code to control the behavior of the server. This model provides you with all the features of the common language runtime and class library while gaining the performance and scalability of the host server.
    The following illustration shows a basic network schema with managed code running in different server environments. Servers such as the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) and the Microsoft SQL Server (MS-SQL) can perform standard operations while your application logic executes through the managed code.

    Server-side managed code

    ASP.NET is the hosting environment that enables developers to use the .NET Framework to target Web-based applications. However, ASP.NET is more than just a runtime host; it is a complete architecture for developing Web sites and Internet-distributed objects using managed code. Both Web Forms and XML Web services use IIS and ASP.NET as the publishing mechanism for applications, and both have a collection of supporting classes in the .NET Framework.
    XML Web services, an important evolution in Web-based technology, are distributed, server-side application components similar to common Web sites. However, unlike Web-based applications, XML Web services components have no UI and are not targeted for browsers such as Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Instead, XML Web services consist of reusable software components designed to be consumed by other applications, such as traditional client applications, Web-based applications, or even other XML Web services. As a result, XML Web services technology is rapidly moving application development and deployment into the highly distributed environment of the Internet.
    If you have used earlier versions of the ASP technology, you will immediately notice the improvements that ASP.NET and Web Forms offer. For example, you can develop Web Forms pages in any language that supports the .NET Framework. In addition, your code no longer needs to share the same file with your HTTP text (although it can continue to do so if you prefer).
    Web Forms pages execute in native machine language because, like any other managed application, they take full advantage of the runtime. In contrast, unmanaged ASP pages are always scripted and interpreted.
    ASP.NET pages are faster, more functional, and easier to develop than unmanaged ASP pages because they interact with the runtime like any managed application. The .NET Framework also provides a collection of classes and tools to aid in development and consumption of XML Web services applications. XML Web services are built on standards such as SOAP (a remote procedure-call protocol), XML (an extensible data format), and WSDL ( the Web Services Description Language). The .NET Framework is built on these standards to promote interoperability with non-Microsoft solutions.
    For example: the Web Services Description Language tool included with the .NET Framework SDK can query an XML Web service published on the Web, parse its WSDL description, and produce C# or Visual Basic source code that your application can use to become a client of the XML Web service. The source code can create classes derived from classes in the class library that handle all the underlying communication using SOAP and XML parsing. Although you can use the class library to consume XML Web services directly, the Web Services Description Language tool and the other tools contained in the SDK facilitate your development efforts with the .NET Framework.
    If you develop and publish your own XML Web service, the .NET Framework provides a set of classes that conform to all the underlying communication standards, such as SOAP, WSDL, and XML. Using those classes enables you to focus on the logic of your service, without concerning yourself with the communications infrastructure required by distributed software development.
    Finally, like Web Forms pages in the managed environment, your XML Web service will run with the speed of native machine language using the scalable communication of the Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS).

    16Jan, 2012
    Client Application Development

    Client Application Development

    Client applications are the closest to a traditional style of application in Windows-based programming. These are the types of applications that display windows or forms on the desktop, enabling a user to perform a task. Client applications include applications such as word processors and spreadsheets, as well as custom business applications such as data-entry tools, reporting tools, and so on. Client applications usually employ windows, menus, buttons, and other GUI elements, and they likely access local resources such as the file system and peripherals such as printers.
    Another kind of client application is the traditional ActiveX control (now replaced by the managed Windows Forms control) deployed over the Internet as a Web page. This application is much like other client applications: it is executed natively, has access to local resources, and includes graphical elements.
    In the past, developers created such applications using C/C++ in conjunction with the Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC) or with a rapid application development (RAD) environment such as Microsoft® Visual Basic®. The .NET Framework incorporates aspects of these existing products into a single, consistent development environment that drastically simplifies the development of client applications.
    The Windows Forms classes contained in the .NET Framework are designed to be used for GUI development. You can easily create command windows, buttons, menus, toolbars, and other screen elements with the flexibility necessary to accommodate shifting business needs.
    For example, the .NET Framework provides simple properties to adjust visual attributes associated with forms. In some cases the underlying operating system does not support changing these attributes directly, and in these cases the .NET Framework automatically recreates the forms. This is one of many ways in which the .NET Framework integrates the developer interface, making coding simpler and more consistent.
    Unlike ActiveX controls, Windows Forms controls have semi-trusted access to a user’s computer. This means that binary or natively executing code can access some of the resources on the user’s system (such as GUI elements and limited file access) without being able to access or compromise other resources. Because of code access security, many applications that once needed to be installed on a user’s system can now be deployed through the Web. Your applications can implement the features of a local application while being deployed like a Web page.

    16Jan, 2012
    .NET Framework Class Library

    .NET Framework Class Library

    The .NET Framework class library is a collection of reusable types that tightly integrate with the common language runtime (CLR). The class library is object oriented, providing types from which your own managed code can derive functionality. This not only makes the .NET Framework types easy to use, but also reduces the time associated with learning new features of the .NET Framework. In addition, third-party components can integrate seamlessly with classes in the .NET Framework.
    For example, the .NET Framework collection classes implement a set of interfaces that you can use to develop your own collection classes. Your collection classes will blend seamlessly with the classes in the .NET Framework.
    As you would expect from an object-oriented class library, the .NET Framework types enable you to accomplish a range of common programming tasks, including tasks such as string management, data collection, database connectivity, and file access. In addition to these common tasks, the class library includes types that support a variety of specialized development scenarios. For example, you can use the .NET Framework to develop the following types of applications and services:

    • Console applications.
    • Windows GUI applications (Windows Forms).
    • ASP.NET applications.
    • XML Web services.
    • Windows services.

    For example, the Windows Forms classes are a comprehensive set of reusable types that vastly simplify Windows GUI development. If you write an ASP.NET Web Form application, you can use the Web Forms classes (System.Web).

    16Jan, 2012
    The Common Language Runtime

    The Common Language Runtime

    The common language runtime is the core component of the Microsoft .Net Framework and manages memory, thread execution, code execution, code safety verification, compilation, and other system services. These features are intrinsic to the managed code that runs on the common language runtime.
    With regards to security, managed components are awarded varying degrees of trust, depending on a number of factors that include their origin (such as the Internet, enterprise network, or local computer). This means that a managed component might or might not be able to perform file-access operations, registry-access operations, or other sensitive functions, even if it is being used in the same active application.
    The runtime enforces code access security (CAS). For example, users can trust that an executable embedded in a Web page can play an animation on the screen or sing a song, play a WAV or MP3 file but cannot access their personal data, file system, or internal network. The security features of the runtime thus enable legitimate Internet-deployed software to be exceptionally feature rich.
    The runtime also enforces code robustness by implementing a strict type-and-code-verification infrastructure called the common type system (CTS). The CTS ensures that all managed code is self-describing. The various Microsoft and third-party language compilers generate managed code that conforms to the CTS. This means that managed code can consume other managed types and instances, while strictly enforcing type fidelity and type safety.
    In addition, the managed environment of the runtime eliminates many common software issues. For example, the runtime automatically handles object layout and manages references to objects, releasing them when they are no longer being used. This automatic memory management resolves the two most common application errors, memory leaks and invalid memory references.
    The runtime also accelerates developer productivity. For example, programmers can write applications in their development language of choice, yet take full advantage of the runtime, the class library, and components written in other languages by other developers. Any compiler vendor who chooses to target the runtime can do so. Language compilers that target the .NET Framework make the features of the .NET Framework available to existing code written in that language, greatly easing the migration process for existing applications.
    While the runtime is designed for the software of the future, it also supports software of today and yesterday. Interoperability between managed and unmanaged code enables developers to continue to use necessary COM components and DLLs.
    The runtime is designed to enhance performance. Although the common language runtime provides many standard runtime services, managed code is never interpreted. A feature called just-in-time (JIT) compiling enables all managed code to run in the native machine language of the system on which it is executing. Meanwhile, the memory manager removes the possibilities of fragmented memory and increases memory locality-of-reference to further increase performance.
    Finally, the runtime can be hosted by high-performance, server-side applications, such as Microsoft® SQL Server™ and Internet Information Services (IIS). This infrastructure enables you to use managed code to write your business logic, while still enjoying the superior performance of the industry’s best enterprise servers that support runtime hosting.
     

    15Nov, 2011
    Understanding MP4 Players

    Mp3 audio format became available back in 1993. Shortly after it became the standard internet audio format, and it is still very much used world wide. Recently another format has been introduced, the mp4 audio-video format which allows video capability, so that users can watch movies, TV shows, music videos along with mp3 songs.

    As the industry of mp4 player devices evolved, more features such as fm tuner, voice recorder, email, internet browser capability and others were added to mp4 devices, making them a desired product among electronic users.

    Differences between mp4 and mp3 format, relies basically that mp4 devices holds both audio and video files. As for the mp3 it only holds the audio type file. So, one could think of mp4 as being the next step in this evolution file format that started with mp3.

    Due to the capability of delivering audio and video at the same time, mp4 devices can offer a wide range of interesting features, such as web browsing, email, instant messaging, video and music download, bluetooth wireless technology, digital camera and others. Also game capability and multiple language options are features that made mp4 devices so popular. Other features, such as voice recording, enabled mp4 devices to be used for professional purposes, besides entertainment.

    Another important mp4 feature is the storage capacity, that can start from 256 mega bites up to 40, 60 and up giga bites. Usually a small hard disk unit is used to hold several giga bites of data. For smaller storages, an internal electronic flash memory may be used.

    As a music player device, mp4 may offer a 7-band equalizer which will allow the user to change the sound category according to the music style. These sound categories are Pop, Jazz, Rock, Soft, Classic and DBB. Also mp4 player device will support various format files such as Mp3, AMV, ASF, WAV, WMA, WMV and others. As far as the supporting video formats are concerned this device proves to be able to convert file in the AVI, MPEG, Windows media format into the AMV thru the use of software.

    Since mp4 devices is compact, it is safe to say that its small size, light weight and good user interface menu, make this device portable, easy to control and access no matter where one can be.

    As mp4 format became more popular, several internet audio-video download sites started to offer services, so that mp4 users can download their favorite music or video at affordable prices. There are sites that offer music file download for only 99 cents each, and one has to only pick his favorite song, not the entire album.

    Also available in these internet sites are files called Podcasts, which includes information programs, news broadcasts, comedy and entertainment programs. Podcasting is quickly becoming a buzz word among the techie crowd. So what is podcasting, anyway? Podcasting is online audio and video content that is delivered via an RSS feed. Although Podcasting is new, it should become a mainstream communication medium in the near future.

    Being basically a container, mp4 player devices are able to provide multimedia solutions with its audio-video file format. Because of that mp4 players became very popular and as it becomes more sophisticated with new features being added in new models, people become more eager to own these device players. After all most electronic consumers do have a wish to keep up with modern time.

    15Nov, 2011
    Server Load Balancing

    Load balancing is the technique of spreading work between computers, hard disks, processes, etc. with the purpose of decreasing computing time and getting optimal resource utilization. This technique is generally performed by load balancers, whose aim is to exceed the capacity of a single server by increasing that of a server farm. Load balancers also allow the service to continue even in situations of server maintenance or server failure. Reducing downtime is essential in the prevention of huge losses, which is why automatic detection of server failure or server lock-up software are recommended.

    But why is server load balancing necessary? If all the incoming HTTP requests for your website are responded to with only one web server, its capacity may fail in handling high volumes of traffic, when and if your website becomes popular. This means that pages will load slowly and there will be quite some time before some of the users get to have their requests processed by the web server. The more connections and incoming traffic to your website, the greater chances are you will need server upgrading, which may no longer be cost effective. This is what server load balancing is about: adding more servers and distributing load among them, in order to attain web server scalability. Be it an application server, database server, or HTTP server, load balancing applies for and is recommended for all types of servers.

    There is a limit for each server as far as the number of users that it can server is concerned. Once that limit has been reached, you only have two options. You can either replace it with a newer one, or you can add one more server and make it possible that the load is shared between them. A load balancer will help you in that it will distribute connections among servers and cut the work proportionally for each of them.

    Many server deployments can do with using basic information about the services and the clients they want to reach, as means for load balancing. Still, this will prove insufficient as your needs develop and become more complex. At this point, you have to take a closer look at the options you have and make a more detailed decision about load balancing. This is where Layer 7 load balancer comes into place.

    There are times when sharing traffic over a group of servers simply is not enough. One reason is that all the content that comes with a request will have to be on each server, if they are equally likely to service that particular request. Your servers will function with maximum efficiency if you group them so as to handle different tasks at the same time. For instance, some can be optimized for streaming video downloading, others can serve as massive storage systems, while others can handle transactions. In fact, the main reason for using a load balancer is that of increasing the capacity of IP servers.

    The ability to handle huge amounts of traffic is extremely important in a server load balancer. This is all the more true for sites with significant volumes of SSL transactions, which require built-in SSL terminations and SSL acceleration cards. Theses cards are very important to the security of transactions on e-commerce web sites through the encryption keys that they generate. But the process of performing a secure transaction can overload a server severely, which results in a smaller number of transactions being processed by second. This ultimately leads to fewer sales. The importance of SSL acceleration cards is obvious, as they take over the process, subsequently allowing the load on the server to be reduced. Under these circumstances, the Layer 7 load balancer can perform correctly, despite the large number of HTTPS packets coming in. The ideal product will increase efficiency and reduce costs, as it provides performance and quality, and requires no separate appliance.

    Layer-7 load balancer is concerned with parsing requests and distributing them to servers, according to the different types of content these requests have. By doing so, Layer-7 load balancer improves overall cluster performance, although its scalability is rather limited compared to Layer-4 load balancer, due to the high overhead of parsing requests.

    An important feature of any efficient Layer- 7 load balancer is its ability to manage traffic based on the content. Traffic management is performed by comparing URL content with customized configuration settings. This process helps to determine which server is able to handle the request and making an appropriate routing.

    15Nov, 2011
    Diagnosing Problems with Your Computer Memory

    When you&qt;&qt;re using your computer, you expect that it will work whenever you want it to. You expect to be able to turn on your computer, do what you need to do, and have a good experience overall. But when things begin to happen to interrupt your computer time, this is not only frustrating because your computer or laptop isn&qt;&qt;t working, but also because you don&qt;&qt;t know exactly what the problem is.

    For many computers, problems can stem from memory troubles. If you&qt;&qt;ve had your computer for a long time, you might want to look out for these common memory problems:

    The blue screen of death

    If you&qt;&qt;re going to boot up your computer or you&qt;&qt;re in the middle of an activity and you get the &qt;&qt;blue screen of death&qt;&qt; on your PC, you might be having troubles with the computer memory. When this screen happens once and then doesn&qt;&qt;t seem to happen on a later boot up, you will want to bring your computer into a repair shop anyway to get the memory looked at. While it might seem like a minor annoyance, it can become a major problem if you use your computer for important tasks. Make sure that you backup all of your files and programs if you can get back on the computer.

    The computer acts strangely

    While this isn&qt;&qt;t a very specific diagnosis or symptom, any computer behavior, like a blank screen for no reason or crashing more often than usual and for no reason can also be signs of a memory issue. If you&qt;&qt;ve been running certain programs together without any troubles before, but suddenly your computer shuts down whenever you try, it may be a big sign of memory troubles.

    Likewise, if you notice that your computer can&qt;&qt;t handle multiple big memory programs at the same time, it might be a sign for an upgrade or a replacement of your current memory. Things like video games and photo applications are the biggest programs you have, so this is where you might see these kinds of problems. If your computer crashes as you use these programs, you need more memory.

    The computer just won&qt;&qt;t start

    While it might seem like your computer is simply dead, faulty memory can also cause your computer to not boot up. Replacing the memory is much cheaper than replacing the computer, so try that first before you completely give up. If you hear long beeping noises when you try to boot, that is a sure sign that the memory is having troubles.

    The screen is distorted

    When your computer is having troubles showing the graphics on your screen – it might also be a sign of a computer memory issue. Of course, it could also be that your video card needs replacing, too.

    What can you do?

    The good news is that memory problems are generally easy to fix with new memory. But if you&qt;&qt;re not sure what is wrong with your computer, you may want to take it to a certified computer repair shop or send it back to the manufacturer. They will:

    • Test the computer

    • Try replacing the memory

    • Look at the rest of the circuitry

    • Test out the fan

    • Check the connections

    When the testing is done, the repair center should be able to tell you what is going on with your computer and what needs to be fixed.

    Now, you can simply try to replace your memory to see if that does the trick, but if something more major is happening, you might want a qualified repair specialist to deal with the issue. However, you can have your computer checked out first and then does the memory repair on your own if they tell you that the memory is the issue.

    15Nov, 2011
    Defragging your hard drive

    A multi-tasker needs all the RAM his PC will handle. I just increased mine to 2GB and I can tell a big difference. On the other hand, 512MB is a pretty healthy amount of real memory for a notebook – especially if you are using a PIV processor. If you have a Celeron, however, it needs a lot of help. I have resorted to the reformat, reinstall process a few times – but it was always with Celerons and the computers were slow from the second you turned them on.

    I would first try dumping all of your background programs. You can do that by running &qt;msconfig&qt;&qt;, choosing &qt;selective startup&qt;&qt;, going to the startup tab, and unchecking everything but your antivirus program. Another software maintenance issue (besides defrag) is keeping all of your junk files cleaned out (recycle bin, temp files, temp internet files, cache, history, etc.). I like a little program called &qt;Window Washer&qt;&qt; but there are several on the market, another problem you may be having is heat. If the underside of your notebook is not well ventilated it could be running hot – and that will really slow it down.

    Multi-tasking is a memory thirsty pastime. Your CPU can clearly cope. Adding 256MB of RAM would make a difference; 512MB would have a much bigger impact though. Don&qt;&qt;t reformat mate, you&qt;&qt;ll be gutted afterwards, as you can never get things quite the same again. First, I&qt;&qt;ll list below, a way you may be able to greatly improve things by simply tweaking windows a bit.

    You may or may not be familiar with Virtual Memory. (If you are, prepare to suck eggs, sorry) It&qt;&qt;s an area of Hard Drive specifically allocated by Windows to act as an overflow for when your system runs low on Physical RAM. So if your system has 512MB and your Multi-tasking requires 1024MB, Windows will use 512MB of Virtual RAM to make up the extra.

    When you defragment your Hard Drive, the Virtual Memory is shown as Data that cannot be moved (Green). The Problem with Windows is that it manages your Virtual Memory Dynamically. Setting a minimum and a maximum value that, changes as and when required. This tends to slow things down as the Virtual Memory allocation becomes fragmented on your Hard Drive. In turn this delays your Processor as it retrieves Data from all over the place instead of simply off your Memory module(s).

    The best way to overcome this is to monitor Task Manager while you are multi-Tasking. And while the PC is at rest. You need to note the "Page File" usage (This is another name for Virtual Memory). See how high it goes when you&qt;&qt;re hammering it, and how low it goes when it&qt;&qt;s resting. Deduct max from min and add around 10&qt;. This is the figure you&qt;&qt;ll need later. Your aim is to end up with a Page File in one place with no fragments. All you&qt;&qt;re doing is optimizing your system.

    Start by, Defragging your Hard Drive. Now left click Start,right click My Computer,left click Properties. You should now have the System Properties Window open. Click the Advanced tab,Performance Settings,Advanced. In The Virtual Memory area, click Change. Select Custom Size and insert your calculated figure (Max-Min) +10&qt;.

    You need to insert the same figure for both Max and Min. This will fix the memory size and stop windows from expanding and shrinking it dynamically. You&qt;&qt;ll probably be required to restart before the changes will take effect. Once restarted, you can go to Defragmenter and analyze the Drive to ensure you have just one Fragment of Page File. This information can be viewed in the report generated by Defragmenter. If you find the Page File is fragmented, try defragging it again to try and clear a contiguous area big enough for it.

    15Nov, 2011
    Buying the right laptop computer

    The single most important reason anyone buys a notebook is for portability. This is something that you can take anywhere. If you frequently travel in your work, you need a notebook. If you are a student going back and forth to the university, you need a notebook. If you are journalist traveling the world and submitting articles, you need a notebook. And today’s notebooks can be as powerful as most desktops with dual processors, large capacity internal drives, and other attractive features. But which one is right for you? How do you determine what type of notebook will fit your current needs plus allow you to expand for the future?
    And the first part of the answer to the question of which one is right for you leads to a half-answer: “It depends.” It depends on what you are going to do with the computer. Are you going to use it for work or recreation? Is it something needed for your profession or are you a hobbyist? Do you play a lot of games? What level of internet access do you need? It is also important to remember that unlike desktop models, notebook computers cannot be upgraded easily. In fact, they usually have no upgrade path so you should take the time to get exactly what you need in terms of features and performance.
    One characteristic of a notebook computer one should consider is the screen size. If you need to be able to have a lot of landscape for projects you are working on then consider a wider screen. Screen sizes usually can range from 10.4 inches to 17.1 inches. If you do a lot of work on an airliner in economy class, you are probably better off with a smaller screen size (because of the reclining seatbacks in front of you). Also a smaller notebook is just easier and lighter to carry around. Some who do presentations with their notebook computers will benefit from larger screen sizes such as those that use the newer WXGA technology. WXGA notebook screens can achieve resolutions up to 1366 by 768 pixels.
    Battery life in your notebook computer is very important too. If you move around quite a bit, you might want to consider buying a notebook with not only a long lasting battery (most go 2-3 hours), but also one where buying a spare battery is not very expensive. One very inexpensive solution for the battery problem is to buy an external universal battery that can last up to 3-4 hours.
    Another feature you need to consider when buying a notebook is internet connectivity. You will find that a popular way for people to work these days is with a wifi-enabled notebook at a wireless hotspot (such as in coffee shops, restaurants, libraries and airports). If you are buying an older used notebook, you may have to get an additional wifi-card if you want to have the mobile connectivity provided by this technology. Also, you will find that most hotels nowadays offer high-speed internet access but it is usually through a wifi connection.
    And lastly, you need to consider what other options you want for your notebook computer. Do you want a CD writer or will you need to record DVDs? Do you need premium sound? How large of a disk drive do you need? When it comes to disk space, CD/DVD writers, sound cards, memory, and processor speed, it’s best to get it now as opposed to get it later. Here’s why: The upgrade path for most laptops and notebooks is not very long. This is because notebooks are probably replaced every 2-3 years. They are quick becoming just as expendable as a set of tires for your car. And if you do not maximize on memory and processor speed, your notebook may not able run efficiently the new application and game software. The more your notebook is adaptable to software upgrades, the longer it will be an effective tool for you.

    15Nov, 2011
    Basic Printer Troubleshooting Tips

    Just like all electronics, printers sometimes malfunction. However if you are a prepared consumer, you will bone up on the possibilities before a problem even occurs. So next time you find yourself in a jam—get it?—you can get out of it smoothly and easily.
    The Paper Jam
    We have all had this one happen. You are printing merrily away when all of a sudden you hear that distinctive crunch of paper getting eaten by your printer. You immediately cancel the print job, leap from your desk and flip open the printer. “Ugh,” you say as you notice the crinkled edges of paper wrapped around god knows what. Okay, so you have found the problem, but what do you do?
    The best way to remove a paper jam is to gently pull the paper in the direction of the paper path—with power off, of course. Whatever you do, don not pull the paper backwards. You could damage your printer forever by doing so!
    The Missing Printer Driver
    This is another common problem. You are all geared up and ready to print but your computer can not find the right driver to “talk to” the printer. Why is this? Not all drivers are pre-installed on all operating systems and as new operating systems are released, you will need to install drivers yourself. Consult your printer manual. You can also most likely find the correct driver online at the printer manufacturer’s website.
    The Printer Picks up All the Paper
    This is a frustrating one. You are trying to print out something and the printer feeds in the whole paper stack rather than just one piece at a time. For starters, make sure you fan the paper edge before putting it in the printer feed tray. This helps separate the sheets. Also, be sure to store your paper in a cool, dry place as humidity can contribute to this problem.
    The Blank Page Syndrome
    So you have just installed a new printer ink cartridge and you print a document only to see a blank page come out. Aggravating, no? But this usually has a simple solution. Make sure you completely removed that little sticker from the ink cartridge before installing it. If it is removed, run the clean print head function on your printer to make sure all air bubbles are removed.
    The Color and Print Quality is Diminished
    This usually happens when one ink well is running low. If all of your images start to look a bit purple, blue or orangish, this may be your problem. The usual solution for this problem is to replace the whole inkjet printer cartridge, unless you can refill the individual ink wells.
    The Smudgy Printout
    This happens a lot when you print out pages with a lot of images with bright, vibrant colors. The cause is usually having the wrong paper setting selected. If you are printing text documents, don not print at the highest quality. And if you are printing on photo paper, make sure you don not use the regular printer setting.
    The Computer Would not Talk to the Printer
    Once you rule out that it is not a printer driver issue, check to make sure you are using the right cables to connect everything. Once you confirm everything is connected properly, read your printer manual and your computer manual—at least the part that pertains to printing. Older printers made for Macs may need a serial cable to work while PC printers an IEEE 1248 cable.
    The Blinking Light
    While there is no surefire answer to this problem, it is a common enough one that it should be included. Each printer has a different reason for its dreaded blinking or orange light but some general reasons include a paper jam, a printer cartridge problem or a problem with the printer hardware. It could also be an indicator that the computer is not talking to the printer. Check your printer manual.
    The Printout Looks Misaligned
    Problems with alignment have a lot to do with maintaining proper print head alignment. You can run a simple diagnostic to fix this problem. If the ink seems to be going onto the paper improperly or you notice uneven coverage, try aligning the print heads before you bring out the big guns.
    The Printout Looks Grainy
    This may have nothing to do with the printer at all. In fact it may have more to do with the quality of images you are using than the printer@s quality. Make sure that when you print photos that they are of print quality, meaning 300dpi. Anything lower than this will appear pixilated and lower than photo quality.