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Northamber Help

With over 20 years experience in IT distribution, we understand that competent post-sales support is high on your list of requirements from your partners in distribution. Our vast experience has facilitated the development of a solid infrastructure and sound logistics to ensure that we can provide you with reliable post-sales services.

Please use the links below for any questions you may have regarding Northamber and the use of Northamber Online.

If you would prefer not to send your card details via the Internet, or you are experiencing problems with WorldPay, please click here to download a Credit Card form that you will need to fax back to us.

General QuestionsTOP^

Can I collect a web order?
Yes. If you would like to place an order on the website for collection from either our Chessington or Weybridge Location, please place your order as normal, selecting "collect" as the option when asked about your delivery time. Our collections should then contact you shortly to arrange a collection location and time that is convenient for you.
How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to your e-shot list?
To subscribe:
Please send us a blank email from the email account you would like to receive the eshots to.
To unsubscribe:
Please email here (if you are not emailing from the same email account that we are sending the emails to please state the address you would like removed in your email.)
How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to your fax list?
Please click here to email Feedback with your request.
How do I subscribe/unsubscribe to your mailing list?
Please click here to email Feedback with your request.
How do I change my password?
To change your password, you need to go into the accounts area and select "change your details". Here you will be able to change your password.
How do I add more users to my account?
The designated system administrator for your account can add or remove users for your account. Please contact them. If you do not have an administrator please send your account number and the full name and email address of the user you wish to add to your account and include the level of access required: Sales, Purchasing or Administrator.

Buyer's GuideTOP^

How do I find a product?
Search
The easiest and fastest way to find something is to use the Search located on the homepage.
Browse
Our site is also a great place to browse. Click on any of the categories listed on the left side of each page. Each category will show you currently special offers we have for each division. Both ways of searching allow you to sort your search results by either Price or Manufacturer and display just items that are currently in stock to make is easier for you to find your product more quickly.
Why can't I find a product?
With the constant changes and updates in the computer industry products/models are constantly being improved and replaced by newer models. It may well be that the product you are looking for has been discontinued. Also please double check that you have not got the 'in stock only' box ticked when searching as it may well be that we do have the product, just not in stock at the moment. If all else fails and you still cannot find a product, please contact your account manager who may be able to assist with your search.
The product I want is not in stock. Can I still order it?
Yes. We will put the product on back order for you and inform you once the stock has arrived, you may also log into the website and click on backorders to check whether the stock has arrived yourself. We show expected delivery dates on the web against the products. These are supplied by the manufacturer and are not guarantees.
Can I get a .CSV file of your product list to use on my website?
Yes. Please contact feedback stating your request, remembering to include your account number and they will be happy to assist with your requirements.

Pricing & BillingTOP^

What are my payment options?
Your order will be placed directly onto your account and you will receive a monthly statement in the post if you are a credit account holder. We accept payment by cheque, credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Solo and Delta) which can be either an online transaction or you can download the manual credit card form from here. Goods will be available for collection or shipping once cleared payment has been received.
What are the delivery charges?
All web orders are shipped at a cost of £10 to any UK Mainland address with the exception of pallet quantities and racks. You will be informed about the cost of shipping these once you have placed your order.
I have a query about my account?
Please call Credit Services on 020 8296 7000.

Order StatusTOP^

Has my order shipped?
To check whether your order has been shipped, please click here to view your current account status. Please Note: Although the website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, orders need to be placed by 17:30GMT Monday to Thursday in order to qualify for next day delivery. Order places after 17:30 Monday to Thursday will be shipped the following day. Orders places after 17:30 Friday will be shipped the following Monday (with exceptions of bank holidays where the order will be shipped the following Tuesday.)
How do I track my order?
You are able to track your order online by going into the account section where you will be able to look at your statement. From here you can see your back orders and get a POD of your delivered order. For further assistance, please contact web support on 08707 201409.
When will my back order arrive?
As soon as the new stock has arrived your order will be allocated with the product, at this time you should be contacted to inform you that your order is ready. Due to the high number of orders placed on the website we recommend that you keep an eye on your backorders by logging into the website and if you see that your stock has been allocated please call Web Support on 08707 201409 to get your order released.
My order never arrived.
Please call customer services on 020 8296 7012.
How do I cancel my order/item?
Please contact Web Support on 08707 201409 quoting your Internet Reference number which will start 8100....
An item is missing from my shipment.
Please make sure that you have checked your account online and that the part you are expecting is not on back order otherwise please call customer services on 020 8296 7012 or contact web help via the chat or Skype if its a web order.
My product is missing parts.
Please call customer services on 020 8296 7012.

Product FAQsTOP^

Digital Cameras

What's the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom?
It's important to understand this difference, as you could end up mighty disappointed with the results if you get one rather than the other. Optical zoom is similar to what you'll find in a regular 35mm camera: When you push the button to zoom in or out, physical lens elements move inside the camera, to achieve the desired effect. Digital zoom, on the other hand, has no moving parts. Using the "electronic brain" within the camera instead, the camera takes a look at what it's "looking at", and digitally zooms in, usually two or three times closer. The problem with digital zoom is that you lose quality when you do this -- your images will tend to be more "pixelated" than the same image taken with an optical zoom camera. This is due to the "interpolation" the camera uses, which is a nice way of saying that it makes a guess about how the picture should look while zoomed in.
What does megapixel mean, anyway?
A pixel is a little square that makes up the image on your computer screen. If your computer's 17" monitor has a resolution of 1280 pixels wide by 1024 pixels tall. A digital camera's CCD can only capture so many of these pixels, which are then stored in memory, and later transferred to your computer. An Olympus D-600L can capture at a resolution of 1280x1024 (just like the monitor), which is a little over 1,300,000 pixels (think of the image as a rectangle-- to find out the total pixels you multiply width by height). The word "mega" is taken from the Greek word meaning "great", and usually means "one million." Hence, a camera with 1,000,000 pixels is a 1 Megapixel camera.
Will a high resolution camera make better prints than a lower resolution camera?
To be more specific: will you get better 4 x 6 inch prints from a 3 or 4 Megapixel camera versus a 2 Megapixel camera? Possibly, but the average person won't notice. The real advantage of a higher resolution camera is that with the larger image size, there's more room to crop images. In terms of quality though, it's not a huge deal. At print sizes like 8 x 10 inch, you will notice a difference.
Some digital cameras use Smart Media and some use Compact Flash and others use XD or SD. What's the difference?
Smart Media, Compact Flash, XD and SD are all memory cards. Smart Media has been with us for about as long as digital cameras themselves. More recently we have seen the rise of Compact Flash, SD and XD. The growth in megapixels that digital cameras can use has caused a big problem for Smart Media. The increase in the number of megapixels has meant that digital cameras produce larger images. These larger images then need more storage space. That is why a while ago an 8 or 16mb memory card was sufficient certainly for consumer digital cameras. The problem with Smart Media technology is that the maximum size that a Smart Media Card can be is 128mb. Compact Flash cards do not suffer from the same limitations. Over the next few years it looks as if Smart Media cards will take more and more of a back seat. If you already have Smart Media cards this isn't really a problem. As far as storage goes they are a perfectly acceptable medium. The only problem is their lack of capacity.

Hard Disk DrivesTOP^

What is S.M.A.R.T?
Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (or S.M.A.R.T.) is a technology that enables a PC to in some cases predict the future failure of storage devices (like hard disk drives). This SMART technology is present in your drive, but by default is set to disabled on your drive. For making use of the S.M.A.R.T. feature you would require a software (or BIOS) that enables and monitors the S.M.A.R.T status of your hard drive, and an operating system that supports the S.M.A.R.T feature i.e. Windows 95 or higher. Some BIOS contain this software, otherwise EZ-SMART from StorageSoft is an example of a utility that can enable and monitor the SMART status of your drive too (only available for Windows 98 and Windows NT). Thus the message "S.M.A.R.T. Capable but Disabled" means just that - the drive supports the feature, but it isn't enabled / supported by the BIOS or other software.
Can I use ATA100 on a non-ATA100 motherboard and is an ATA100 cable the same as ATA66 cable?
It is necessary to add an ATA100 add-on card for non-ATA100 motherboard and yes, both ATA100 and ATA66 cables are compatible with each other.
Does Linux support ATA100?
Yes, Linux was the first operating system to support ATA100.
Does a DMA33 Hard drive work with a DMA66 controller?
Yes. A DMA33 Hard drive can work with a DMA66 controller. But the hard drive will only work on the lowest transfer speed, so it can't work in DMA66 transfer mode.

MemoryTOP^

What's the difference between buffered and unbuffered DIMMs?
High density DIMMs have lots of chips on them and therefore possess a higher capacitive load on the address and control signals in comparison to lower density DIMMs. Some designers use re-drive buffers on the DIMM to boost the signals to reduce system loading when compared to the same high density module without buffers. But, the buffers introduce a small delay into the electrical signal, so adding buffers to a standard density module would have the effect of slowing down the signal, compared to the same low density module without buffers.
Will more memory speed up my computer?
More memory will not increase the speed of the CPU, but it will reduce the time a CPU spends waiting for information from a hard drive. Since RAM provides data to a CPU faster than a hard drive, you will not have to wait as long for programs to execute.
Will adding more memory improve Web-Browsing?
Internet browsing speed depends on several factors, including your modem connection speed, traffic on the site you're visiting, and the other components in your system. You will probably notice the biggest improvement from additional RAM if are viewing or working with large files , such as photos and digital audio and video, or if you switch between your browser and other applications often.
What is OEM Memory?
OEM is an acronym for "original equipment manufacturer" and OEM memory means - the memory chips and PCB boards are made by the semiconductor manufacturer themselves -and the same memory that the largest PC manufacturers worldwide such as Dell, Compaq, Apple buy for use as original equipment in their systems.

MonitorsTOP^

What is DVI?
DVI (Digital Video Interface) is a specification created by the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG) to accommodate analog and digital monitors with a single connector. There are three different DVI configurations: DVI-A, designed for analog signals, DVI-D, designed for digital signals, and DVI-I (integrated), designed for both analog and digital signals. Using a DVI connector and port, a digital signal that is sent to an analog monitor is converted into an analog signal. If the monitor is a digital monitor, such as a flat panel display, no conversion is necessary. Many monitors now include a DVI connection and many video adapters include a DVI port along with, or instead of, the traditional 15-pin Video Graphics Array (VGA) port.
Is it important to use a screen saver?
It isn't as important as it used to be. Using a screen saver is still recommended if it uses mostly dark colours as power dissipation is slightly reduced. It is however a much better idea to use an energy saving monitor which will 'power down' after a period of inactivity on the host system.
What does VESA stand for?
Video Equipment Standards Association. VESA is the industry standard, which all monitor manufacturers follow, which allows monitors to be mounted on a wall. These are either 75mm or 100mm plates depending on the weight of your monitor.
What do acronyms stand for?
  • MVA = Multiple Viewing Angle (or Multi-domain vertical alignment)
  • DPI = Dots per Inch
  • USB = Universal serial bus
  • M/M = Multi Media (means unit has built in speakers)
  • TCO/EPA Energy star = Energy Compliance standard
  • OSD = On screen display
  • DVI = Digital Video Interface
  • VGA = Video Graphics Array (standard monitor port)

NetworkingTOP^

What's the difference between a hub and a switch?
Everything sent through an ethernet network is basically cut into small bits of data known as packets. The computer wishing to send information gives the packets an address, and sends them down the cable. If the packet comes to a hub, then the hub copies the packet and sends it to every other port it has. Once one of the packets gets to the proper destination, the intended recipient sees their address on the packet and accepts it. Those that do not see their address on a packet, discard. With a hub, if systems try to send on the line at the same time then a data collision occurs and the packets must be resubmitted. A switch is a bit smarter. It learns the addresses of the individual systems. When a packet comes to it, the switch takes a look at the address on it and sends the packet to it's proper destination without sending it to everyone else too. Due to these improvements over the hub, the switch often performs better where high network throughput is desired.
What's the longest distance I can go between two points on my 100base-T or 10base-T network using Cat5 (UTP)?
Between any two points the max length is 100 meters (~328 feet). If you wish to go beyond this, you can do so by using two cables of 100 meters or less and placing a repeater between them. Hubs will function as repeaters.
What is a NIC?
NIC is short for Network Interface Card. A NIC allows you to connect to connect to a network, or network device. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and network support lists. The most common network cards are PCI 10/100 ethernet network cards in desktop systems, and PCMCIA 10/100 ethernet cards in laptops. NICs can be integrated into a motherboard, or other device. This may be referred to as Onboard LAN.
What is NAT?
NAT is short for Network Address Translation. In a nutshell, NAT allows a group of computers to use a single IP address to communicate with the outside world or another network. Additionally it separates External IP addresses from Internal network IP addresses. A device or program using NAT sits between the Internet and the network. It rewrites IP addresses and port numbers on the fly so every packets appears to be coming from (or going to) the single IP address of the NAT device instead of the actual source or destination. This allows more then one system to access the Internet at the same time, and it allows a measure of safety as the outside site never sees the internal IP address for the system it's sending to. In this way, NAT also acts as a simple firewall.

Optical DrivesTOP^

What are the advantages of DVD-ROM over CD-ROM?
DVD-ROM drives offer several advantages over CD-ROM drives, especially in the area of storage capacity: Greater capacity: With 4.7 gigabytes of storage capacity on a single layer and 8.4 gigabytes on a dual-layer disc, DVD-ROM offers more than 12 times the capacity of CD-ROM. When information is stored on both sides of the disk a single disk can hold up to 17 gigabytes, which is equal to 26 CD-ROM or 12,000 floppies. Faster data transfer: A basic DVD-ROM drive offers variable data transfer rate at an average rate of 1, 108 kilobytes per second. Flexibility: DVD will allow greater use and flexibility of Data Warehousing than ever before possible. One manufacturer has already developed a 100 disk juke box for DVD that can store 800 gig of data in a box only 2x 2 Better Video: Because DVD-ROM has greater storage capacity and a faster data transfer rate than CD-ROM, it is possible to deliver up to full length movies on a one-sided disk using compression/decompression that yields broadcast quality video and stereo sound tracks for use in MS-DOS?/Windows?3.x. Other operating systems supply their own ATAPI CD-ROM device drivers.
What is a CD-R/RW drive?
CD-RW is a rewritable CD utilizing an innovative phase change recording material (Ag-In-Sb-Te). This breakthrough effectively increases data erasability and recording sensibility, which are two major drawbacks of conventional phase change recording material. During the write operation to a CD-RW, recording switches between the "amorphous" phase (recorded state) with lower reflectivity and the "crystal" phase (erased state) with higher reflectivity according to the temperature rising/falling through laser beam irradiation.
How does a drive's speed affect its performance?
A CD-ROM's speed is measured in terms of its data transfer rate. The data transfer rate for a CD-ROM drive is measured in terms of bytes per second and measures the speed at which the drive can transmit data to the system? memory and CPU for processing. The higher the data transfer rate and the shorter the access time, the better the performance of a drive. Older single speed drives could transfer data at 150K bytes/second, the same speed as a standard audio drive; but at this speed, images were jumpy and sound output had pops and cracks in it when the drive was used to read a video file such as a Video-CD clip. New multi-speed drives (20X, 24X, 32X) significantly improve a system's performance when handling image files. Today's PCs can handle more in the way of live video clips and animation, and Windows 95 offers direct support for multimedia; however, to take advantage of these new developments you should use a high-performance multi-speed.

PrintersTOP^

What is wrong when a laser printer prints grey pages?
The photoreceptor or drum may be defective. Increasing the print density setting may fix it temporarily. The photoreceptor may be part of the toner cartridge.
What is wrong when a laser printer prints all black pages?
The drum is not being charged. The charger corona wire is probably broken or not making good electrical contact. The charger corona wire may be part of the toner cartridge. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the toner cartridge. If that doesn't work, try another toner cartridge.
How do I calculate cost of ownership/cost per page?
The cost of ownership is one of the most overlooked factors when buying a printer. It's highly suggested that you take it into consideration when you make a printer purchase. To calculate cost of ownership, you need three things:
  1. The cost of your ink cartridge/toner cartridge
  2. The cost of your paper (per sheet)
  3. The number of pages you can print on average from a cartridge (often available on manufacturer's website) Once you have these factors, take the cost of the cartridge, and divide this by the average yield of the cartridge. This is your per page cost for ink. Add this number to your cost for page for paper to get your cost of ownership. You will usually find that paying a bit more for a printer in the beginning will save you more in the long run on your printing costs.
What type of cable do I need to connect the printer to my computer?
Printers can be connected in a number of ways, however the two most common methods of connection are through a printer cable or through a USB cable. Printer cables generally have a 25-pin male connector on one end (DB25) and a centronix 36-pin male connector on the other. The DB25 connects with the parallel port on your system, while the centronix goes into the printer. Many new printers have a USB plug in addition to the standard centronix 36-pin connector. With these printers a standard A to B USB cable can be used instead of a printer cable to achieve faster throughput.

How often do I need to do a backup?TOP^

How often do I need to do a backup?
You need to backup your data as often as you use your computer; every day if you use it every day. There is no telling when disaster may strike. However, you don't need to do it all in one go. For example, you might choose to make regular weekly backups and then backup only those files which have changed on a daily basis (the operating system keeps a record of these).
Archiving versus Backing up
Archiving involves copying information from your hard disk to an appropriate storage device before deleting the original, thereby releasing space on your hard disk. An appropriate storage device might be a tape drive or recordable compact disc drive (CD-R). Bearing in mind the relative life expectancies of magnetic media (1 to 2 years) and optical media (up to 12 years), a CD-R drive is probably the best choice. Particularly if you are running out of space on your hard drive, you might decide to archive the information you access least frequently. Information that is one or two years old or old versions of software that you no longer use are ideally handled in this way.
Selecting a Backup Drive
There are a wide variety of backup devices to choose from, including tape drives, CD-R drives, and removable disk drives. Your choice of drive depends largely on the amount of information you need to backup, and what you are going to do with that information once you have backed it up. For most uses, tape is still the most appropriate medium. However, if you want to distribute copies of information to colleagues, you might also consider purchasing a CD-R drive. If, however, you want to share information between two machines, for example one at home and one at work, then you might consider purchasing a removable disk. When buying a backup drive, you must always plan ahead for any new equipment you might need to buy in the future such as a new PC or hard disk. If you are buying a network drive, then you must also consider the number and storage capacities of each machine on the network.
Why do I need to backup my data?
It is essential that you make regular backups to protect your investment in hardware, software and data. Having an up-to-date copy of all your data will protect you in the event of data loss through accidental deletion or corruption of files, hard disk failure, or virus attack. In the event of such a crisis, it will provide you with a safe and reliable means of recovering your data, allowing you to restore your system to its pre-crisis state in the shortest possible time.