tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81671262024-02-22T10:37:36.466+00:00Rob's Central Coast PC HelpJargon-free PC help at your place...gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-50618347349163355982021-10-13T23:23:00.003+00:002021-10-13T23:23:32.005+00:00Update, with extra links and a disclaimer or two!<p> </p><p>I exist. I am real. Well, real enough to cause myself some damage. </p><p>Apologies for not staying up to date and posting more often, but, well... Life.</p><p> </p><p>No excuses. I'll be back. </p><p> </p><p><b>General disclaimer:</b><i> thoughts and musings are my own.</i>
Opinion is opinion, and if unattributed, it's likely mine. If I quote, I
link. Please use your discretion. I am not giving medical or legal
advice, either!<br /></p><p><b>Specific warning:</b> if I post to a link which references a product or service, it may be something that I am selling (a <a href="http://gtveloceblog.blogspot.com/p/robs-cc-it-shop.html" target="_blank">service, product, advice</a>, or photography) or something provided via Amazon's provisioning and delivery enterprise. Which is a reminder that <b>as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.</b></p><p><b>Did I mention photography? </b>I use Nikon gear mostly, and they pay me nothing for mentioning that. I use Skylum's <b>Luminar editing software</b>, and they may give me something in return (could be a commission) if you follow a link <a href="https://skylum.grsm.io/robertrussell6854" target="_blank">here</a> back to their site. <b> <br /></b></p><p>I may also be found on <a href="https://www.quora.com/profile/Robert-K-Russell-1" target="_blank">Quora</a>, and some content there earns me a few cents. I may be on other sites, like <a href="https://medium.com/@gtveloce116" target="_blank">Medium</a>, too. And <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gtveloce/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>. And <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gtveloce116/" target="_blank">Instagram</a>. <br /></p><p>I may be found also on <a href="https://www.patreon.com/gtveloce?fan_landing=true" target="_blank">Patreon</a>. If you want to patronise me, go right ahead.</p><p>And finally, I have <a href="https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/gtveloce" target="_blank">a tip jar</a> via PayPal. If you find my musings useful, consider a contribution. I'd appreciate it. <br /></p><p>All the best, and take care.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Reminder: <i>as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.</i></b></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-24279853356547967892021-07-22T21:53:00.006+00:002021-07-22T21:53:52.670+00:00I'm still here...<p> </p><p>Sorry about the ongoing failure to post, but I have plans to get back to something more consistent... soon. </p><p>In the meantime, you may like to follow me on <a href="https://www.quora.com/profile/Robert-K-Russell-1" target="_blank">Quora</a>. I do post there (almost daily) on many topics, including finance, business, economics, society, and science. Even cameras and computers. <br /></p>Stay well, keep safe.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-2553162558955295412017-03-03T02:32:00.000+00:002017-03-03T02:32:08.347+00:00More successfully... WiFi, apps and the Nikon D5200Running a <b>WiFi dongle</b> off my <b>Nikon D5200 dSLR</b> and installing Live View controlling apps on both a <b>Windows 10 tablet</b> and a <b>Samsung Galaxy Note</b> has been very successful, so far.<br />
<br />
It gives me an <b>intervalometer function</b> that the 5200 doesn't natively have and allows both <b>Live View</b> and <b>full camera control </b>on the tablets (or smartphone for that matter), which can be handy for timer shots, animation and macro work. Studio photographers who want to show their work to a client as they shoot it would also have a need.<br />
<br />
I'm using <a _sp="p2057872.m2749.l2649" class="vip item-title" href="http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360909353159?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" itemprop="name" title="">WiFi Wireless Live View Remote Nikon D810 Df D610 D600 D800 D7100 D7000 D4 D3x</a> with <a href="http://dslrdashboard.info/" target="_blank">dslrdashboard</a> bundled in at no extra cost.<br />
<br />
The <b>dslrdashboard</b> would work with other <b>WiFi devices</b>, including Nikon's own WU-1a and the like, but I can only vouch for what I have. (It also suits Canon and some Sony cameras.) You can buy the dashboard alone via the Play Store for a small fee. I'm using <b>Android</b>, of course (and Win 10).<br />
<br />
The dongle I've bought needs the standard Nikon cable which comes with the camera, by the way, and just hangs loose on the cable, sadly. Whereas the WU-1a plugs straight into the connector on the camera. Other designs are even more convenient, mounting on the flash hot-shoe; but then you have to relocate your flash of course.<br />
<br />
So far every function works with my combination of hardware, but it won't fully work with Nikon's 3XXX series and perhaps other models. The <b>Nikon D5200</b>, FWIW, is both a bargain and a very good DX or APS-C format dSLR. It works for me, anyway!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-5081048877548916482017-03-03T02:09:00.000+00:002017-03-03T02:09:13.884+00:00Happy Anniversary Update? Fun things to try... or notSometimes it's easy, other times it's not.<br />
<br />
Upgrading my old <b>Toshiba L500</b> to the <i>Anniversary edition</i> of <b>Windows 10</b> (it's running 1507 right now) hasn't been easy. I lost count of how many times it has made it to 95% and fallen over.<br />
<br />
Despite trying... <br />
<br />
<b>(a)</b> clearing out the upgrade folder and downloading again and...<br />
<br />
<b>(b)</b> being patient and... <br />
<br />
<b>(c)</b> resetting Win10 (that failed) and rebooting off a fresh Win10 installation USB (which also failed).<br />
<br />
I'm no closer to a solution.<br />
<br />
I did get a glimmer of hope when I logged in under a different account (I have at least 3 on that box) so I'm backing up - again - after a failed backup and will try all of the above again. <br />
<br />
Oh, and I tried to download and run the update manually, too. It failed. And yes, I was logged in as Admin. And made lots of space. And disconnected anything I didn't need. <br />
<br />
All good fun.<br />
<br />
My other Win 10 boxes - all Lenovos - shamelessly updated effortlessly, by the way. But they are newer, which always helps. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-21472040728185960292017-01-25T06:25:00.000+00:002017-01-25T06:25:41.853+00:00What makes a brand worth paying extra for? Or, what's under the hood and does it matter?So you just bought the latest <b>XYZ brand</b> laptop, eh? And you've been an XYZ brand fan since <i>way</i> back, I hear. Well, that's cool. Hope you didn't pay too much extra for that "cool brand" buzz, though.<br />
<br />
Presumably many of us realise that we have <i>"<a href="http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/trademarks/intel-inside.html" target="_blank">Intel inside</a>"</i> most of our PCs (or <a href="http://www.amd.com/en-us" target="_blank">AMD</a>, or <i>whatever</i>), and a host of <i>other</i> known (like <a href="http://www.nvidia.com/content/global/global.php" target="_blank">NVIDIA</a>) or unknown brands that form an ecosystem of mainboard, graphics, hard drive, I/O and other componentry lurking inside our machines as well.<br />
<br />
This more-or-less minor brand ecosystem includes what's inside smartphones, notebooks, laptops and almost all popular consumer-grade hardware, of course. Your brand-name hardware is not all made (or even designed, let alone invented) by one company, you know.<br />
<br />
So much commonality does make you wonder exactly <i>why</i> XYZ brand is considered so "different" and worth the extra bucks, of course.<br />
<br />
And yet there <i>are</i> differences.<br />
<br />
Not just in <b>marketing</b> and <b>support</b>, which can be crucial, or in the <b>out-of-box experience</b> for that matter. Some hardware has a greater degree of bespoke <b>design</b> and <b>innovation</b>, and some brands get "first pick" of the <b>best, highest-grade</b> and <b>newest</b> stuff.<br />
<br />
And <i>you</i> pay for that privilege. Or not. <br />
<br />
Some shortcuts are mission-critical and you probably <b><i>don't</i></b> want to take the risk. Lower-grade components may go "pop" <i>just</i> out of warranty, for example. So there are <b>tiers</b> - <i>levels</i> - of acceptable performance, assembly and component quality. Of course <i>you</i> aren't to know which tier you are buying at, although price is often - <i>not</i> always - a good indicator. <br />
<br />
For the unwary and uninitiated, many - perhaps <i>most</i> - <b>PC manufacturers</b> buy a great deal of proven hardware from somewhat 'hidden' suppliers, often extending to a re-branding exercise based on a "barebones" build.<br />
<br />
And that's a <i>good</i> thing. It maximises production runs and reduces costs. What you are buying and possibly paying <i>extra</i> for <i>may</i> be the same as another brand "under the hood", true; or it may be a <b>premium version</b> with the very latest build or higher-spec components.<br />
<br />
Or you may be getting a better standard of <b>service and support</b>. Or not.<br />
<br />
Comparison shopping is essential, and asking questions is key. Dig deep before buying.<br />
<br />
Just out of interest I wondered who actually made the 2016-spec <b>"Kogan Atlas Pro"</b> brand of laptops, for example, and with a bit of poking around I'm <b>fairly certain</b> (mostly based on a spooky resemblance in pictures) that they are <b>Clevo barebones builds</b>. And the spec <i>is</i> good. Technically perhaps a tad behind the absolutely cutting edge but performance-wise excellent and great value for money. Of course this can change in the blink of an eye, with the simple up or downgrade of component levels. And whilst I have never had a bad experience with Kogan electronic products (a smartphone and a TV, both rebrands as well), my anecdotal experience is just one amongst many.<br />
<br />
Don't rely on one or even 2 opinions, after all. They (a re-branded like Kogan) may sell hundreds or even thousands. The happy customers rarely say so, but the unhappy ones can get out the loudhailer. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.clevo.com.tw/clevo_story.asp" target="_blank">Clevo website</a> is interesting, for those who like to explore these things... and for those with some technical <i>nous</i> who crave a little excitement as well as a bargain, check out <a href="http://rjtech.com/shop/index.php" target="_blank">RJ tech</a>, who will supply you a barebones box (just add your own chips <i>et al</i>) or build it for you. <br />
<br />
Tempting, I know. Or just let someone else worry about it and buy a popular retail brand instead. <br />
<br />
(Oh, and I should mention that <i>Intel Inside is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.</i>)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-71553105333088583262013-11-11T02:29:00.001+00:002013-11-11T02:30:06.836+00:00Fantamorph v5 reviewMorph 2 images into 1 or an entire sequence. It even does layers. It's Fantamorph!<br />
<br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZYEjlUo_Q58" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-58517588232188113512013-11-11T02:20:00.001+00:002013-11-11T02:22:46.862+00:00Quick review: WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UTlAptRJh1Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-21454258270390497322012-11-05T03:36:00.001+00:002012-11-05T03:36:58.740+00:00Watch out for fake ebay transaction emails<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><b>Never </b>click on links embedded in emails - at least unless you <u>check 'em out first</u>. Your email agent or virus software <i>may</i> flag it as a "scam" - or not - but be wary anyway. Just hover your mouse over any suspect link to disclose the real address that you are clicking through to... and if it looks unlike what you'd expect (just an IP address or a long and somewhat bizarre suddomain+domain address) then <b>don't click</b>. Most reputable businesses <b>don't</b> send out "click here if you think this is in error" messages anyway, so that's a clue worth noting. More than likely if it sounds like a fake transaction then it probably is. But if you do click through you'll simply expose yourself to nasty tricks and people that you really don't want to mess with. <br/><br/>Here's an example of one such phishing expedition (it's all fake):<br/><span style='FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14px; COLOR: rgb(200,128,57); TEXT-DECORATION: none'>You sent a payment of $79.3 AUD to eBay International AG</span><span style='FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 14px; COLOR: rgb(200,128,57); TEXT-DECORATION: none'> (AU-AdCommerce-EOM@ebay.com) </span><br/><br/>It may take a few moments for this transaction to appear in the Recent Activity list in your Account Overview.<br/> <div> <hr size='1'/> </div> <table width='98%' cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' border='0' align='left' style='FONT-SIZE: 11px; COLOR: rgb(102,102,102)! important; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif'><tbody><tr><td width='50%' valign='top' align='left' style='PADDING-TOP: 15px'><span style='FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)'><span class='ecxmainheading'>Merchant</span></span><br/>eBay International AG<br/>AU-AdCommerce-EOM@ebay.com<br/>+61 61282880000</td> <td valign='top' style='PADDING-TOP: 15px'><span style='FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)'><span class='ecxmainheading'>Instructions to merchant</span></span><br/>You haven't entered any instructions.</td></tr></tbody></table> <br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><font size='2' face='Arial'><span style='FONT-WEIGHT: bold; COLOR: rgb(51,51,51)'>Issues with this transaction?</span><br/>If you belive this is an error please follow the link below to login to your paypal account.<br/> On the next page, please complete the required details, then press the <b>'Cancel Payment'</b> button to confirm. Your payment will be cancelled and the funds returned to your PayPal account.<br/></font><b><br/>(That's then followed with a fake address that masks a real but presumably nasty IP address. Just don't click.)</b><br/><b><br/>Some links to discussion on this topic: </b><br/><a href='http://community.ebay.com.au/topic/Selling/Fake-Paypal-Phishing/500155339'>Fake PayPal phishing emails.: Trading on eBay: Community</a><br/><blockquote><i>Fake PayPal phishing emails</i></blockquote><a href='http://www.quicksales.com.au/community/another-paypal-ebay-scam-email-/450543'>Another PayPal/ebay scam email .......... - quicksales Forum</a><br/><blockquote><i>Another PayPal/ebay scam email ..........<br/>I have been receiving these e mails since I started using PayPal again to pay for items. They say it's a receipt for your payment but the amount & seller are not who you think. Then they give a link saying to click to cancel payment. DO NOT click the link, send the e mail to your spam folder & delete. The latest one I just got said I had paid $79.30 to AU-AdCommerce-EOM@ebay.com. If you think any e mail is suspicious just delete.</i></blockquote><br/><br/></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-90331257084810356182012-05-21T04:31:00.000+00:002012-05-21T04:32:19.914+00:00PCs aren't just workhorses for the office, they can be a useful and fun tool for home or work image and video production, too. Here's one such tool that runs in the Windows OS, Dynamic Auto-Painter. I've taken a screenshot video as the application does its magical work...<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="280" height="157.5" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n4jApEfHYmQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-89511949634299167432012-03-13T22:50:00.000+00:002012-03-13T22:52:48.649+00:00IBM's new 'Holey' optical transceiver may be full of holes but is rather quick<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I used to sell this sort of stuff in the mid-80s... suffice to say we are getting faster and better all the time at transferring data quickly and in quantity within a chipset. The road blocks may come about when the data tries to leave the boundaries of the chipset, of course... <br/><br/><a href='http://www.gizmag.com/ibm-holey-optochip/21799/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=2e25815964-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email'>IBM unveils one trillion bit-per-second optical chip</a><br/><blockquote><i>Last Thursday at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference in Los Angeles, a team from IBM presented research on their wonderfully-named "Holey Optochip." The prototype chipset is the first parallel optical transceiver that is able to transfer one trillion bits (or one terabit) of information per second. To put that in perspective, IBM states that 500 high-def movies could be downloaded in one second at that speed, while the entire U.S. Library of Congress web archive could be downloaded in an hour.</i></blockquote><br/><br/></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-64904560774788305542011-07-13T02:48:00.000+00:002011-07-13T02:49:05.587+00:00Check these other blogs out!I've been a bit slack here with my posting but there's been a lot more activity on my other blogs... please check 'em out!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://addicted2wheels.blogspot.com/">Addicted2wheels</a> - bike racing for everyone<br />
<a href="http://welloffline.blogspot.com/">Offline</a> - my take on the planet and its politics<br />
<a href="http://dopagedujour.blogspot.com/">Dopage</a> - all the dope on the dopes who dope, allegedly<br />
<a href="http://www.secretsofasydneypast.com/">Secrets of a Sydney Past</a> - personal photos and recollections of Sydney's history<br />
<a href="http://mostlydigital.blogspot.com/">Central Coast Imagery</a> - my photography blog<br />
<a href="http://mustknow101.blogspot.com/">Musical Must-knows</a> - software and gadgets for the electronic audio artiste<br />
<a href="http://gtveloce116.blogspot.com/">My Alfa Blog</a> - as in rust-free Italians<br />
<a href="http://gtveloceblog.blogspot.com/">My PC Help Blog</a> - as in fixing hardware and software<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-58028842252600412642011-05-26T02:35:00.190+00:002011-05-26T04:12:57.911+00:00The dreaded Blue screen of death - a driver crash. Or debugging the Windows BSOD with WinDbgWell it happens. There you are working on something important and wham, a blue screen of death appears. Or <b>BSOD</b> for short. You wait patiently as it writes "stuff" somewhere and as the seconds tick by you just hope it reboots. Then you hope you can recover some of your work. <b>(Save often - and in multiple places if you can!) </b><br />
<br />
Welcome to Windows. Hey, you'll get used to it. And don't imagine something similar doesn't occasionally happen in alternative operating systems like UNIX or the recent UNIX-derived Apple OS. Anyone who's worked on Apple hardware for example knows that whilst "closed shop" or proprietary designs can keep potentially clashing hardware and software designs under a tighter reign, when they do break it's often far less simple - and more expensive - to get to the root cause. And it's the very openness of the original "IBM compatible" and later Intel and Microsoft hardware/software partnership that both rewards us with plentiful alternatives at lower cost and delivers us into the looser, vaguer world of mismatched versions and uncontrolled design. But enough of that. <b>How do you fix it?</b><br />
<br />
Well the BSOD usually gives you a clue. I just got one - and it blamed "<b>NV4_disp.dll</b>". You don't have to be Einstein to realise that "NV" is probably NVIDIA and "disp" is probably "display". It's your smoking gun, usually.<br />
<br />
The "dll" bit is a <b>D</b>ynamic <b>L</b>ink <b>L</b>ibrary file, simply a file that provides one or more particular functions and/or some data for a given application. Generally speaking - and I'll use NV4_disp.dll as my example here - it's a <b>device driver</b> of some sort. So in this example NV4_disp.dll is happily driving the screen (or monitor or display if you like) and we call it the video driver because having many names for simple things is cool. Then you start up a new or recently updated video player (like I just updated Real because it asked me to) and it innocently makes a call upon NV4_disp.dll that just doesn't make complete sense. Perhaps your version of NV4_disp.dll is (like mine) 6 months old or more and is subtly different from "today's" standard. Somewhere along the road an error crops up that doesn't get handled properly and Windows itself steps in to save us all from disaster - by shutting down. Extreme, I know, but probably safer than letting things go from bad to worse.<br />
<br />
The best fix here is simply to <b>update</b> NV4_disp.dll. Whatever the BSOD identifies is usually the culprit, unless it simply can't work out what broke first. In which case you need to dig deeper (see the end of this story for more clues).<br />
<br />
<b>But how do you update a video driver?</b> Or any other driver for that matter? Well the Internet can be your friend here - just search for say "NV4_disp.dll update" and choose the most likely - like the NVIDIA website. They have a tool there that searches automagically for the right driver. If that doesn't work (it didn't for me and my Windows XP SP3 machine) then go to your control panel and open the NVIDIA control panel. Look for "system information" and bingo, you have your driver data.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C64WZGauHriM-jVEW46JvIoKEMigMCibkNr9FqOfJ17BOtjwNCSg0UrPnPxKKWv2zsPy03aqWqsFakfnjkFJWrBHzfahj-6Rk8NIcxY3WSdLozwDL2rAuUpDsaIkdO935DbMRw/s1600/SysInfo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3C64WZGauHriM-jVEW46JvIoKEMigMCibkNr9FqOfJ17BOtjwNCSg0UrPnPxKKWv2zsPy03aqWqsFakfnjkFJWrBHzfahj-6Rk8NIcxY3WSdLozwDL2rAuUpDsaIkdO935DbMRw/s320/SysInfo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Plug that info in manually and it'll come up with the latest driver. Download and install that. <b>Remember it's safer to download from the manufacturer directly, if you can. Run a virus check on the file just to be safe. </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXidHm36V2BWFZIr7GTuNmrd1c0rttltJ73ysm4DZrD4HoIzJJIcrWrfNj8RYST4UnqMSeh1Y0ueJzopKDvvaI6p77SPpJzJQFyl5vBvmTv6wBbLsI3q0ZUvz9BDI38bpwOIVLhQ/s1600/NVIDIA+driver+select.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXidHm36V2BWFZIr7GTuNmrd1c0rttltJ73ysm4DZrD4HoIzJJIcrWrfNj8RYST4UnqMSeh1Y0ueJzopKDvvaI6p77SPpJzJQFyl5vBvmTv6wBbLsI3q0ZUvz9BDI38bpwOIVLhQ/s320/NVIDIA+driver+select.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSgd3S1rwtFZZx2T-F5gQ8qokadtFvXqCPiLChi4_rBg5wsILtaKtCCrNnOxsqRjzledXXj-VKRntpug7r1A0SYF_4Kv2GLNmwOSerYppqraoGSeHANj-3ka6ArDw6YilZOmeMw/s1600/NVIDIA+install.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSgd3S1rwtFZZx2T-F5gQ8qokadtFvXqCPiLChi4_rBg5wsILtaKtCCrNnOxsqRjzledXXj-VKRntpug7r1A0SYF_4Kv2GLNmwOSerYppqraoGSeHANj-3ka6ArDw6YilZOmeMw/s320/NVIDIA+install.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Hopefully that'll fix it.</b><br />
<br />
But what if you need more clues, Sherlock?<br />
<br />
Well if the BSOD is clueless, try "<b>WhoCrashed</b>", a program by Resplendence.com that does the hard yards for you - and for free if you are a home user. (Search the Internet for it but remember to be careful who you download from and run a virus scan on the file.) WhoCrashed may ask where your <b>source files</b> are - and these are your "<b>minidump</b>" files. Minidump is simply a Windows repository for crash-logging files and is usually found under C:\WINDOWS\Minidump or similar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqjI88M9flByZyklAG-HUk8q1oD5uBjl68ujzSwzIdeXpCAjQpCqgEsvNuSkhcST0IdfgIJqEcSbKsWa20OSfJXxmzAo02x6wRSlWL6hEh_IeZAPDxjPXR4fenyl9m2gV6Wz1Mw/s1600/WhoCrashed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqjI88M9flByZyklAG-HUk8q1oD5uBjl68ujzSwzIdeXpCAjQpCqgEsvNuSkhcST0IdfgIJqEcSbKsWa20OSfJXxmzAo02x6wRSlWL6hEh_IeZAPDxjPXR4fenyl9m2gV6Wz1Mw/s320/WhoCrashed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've rarely found Minidump turned off but some "tune up" software may turn it off to save space (not that it would save much). If turned off, turn it on (you'll find it via the "Help and Support Centre" in Windows, simply click on "Use tools.. ..to diagnose problems" then "System Restore" and "System Restore settings". Phew. Then open "Advanced" and "Startup and recovery" then "Settings". Still with me? Inside settings you should have a tick in "write an event to the system log" and "Small Memory dump" as the address written to... it will default now to %SystemRoot%\Minidump. Easy. Press OK to save and exit.) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYqg9_qceQrqJ4QyyDjQ5rizU3RPPpHuY9gcD5cCMF9WXG4Gmu4DL_IsFY-lnwNI70hkREaAJ6GqqwejKK9OLaUEmIoMNzoausHXWvIR9JZEYulFd0MaZTqjQkJzAmOGO2rSiTQ/s1600/Minidump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYqg9_qceQrqJ4QyyDjQ5rizU3RPPpHuY9gcD5cCMF9WXG4Gmu4DL_IsFY-lnwNI70hkREaAJ6GqqwejKK9OLaUEmIoMNzoausHXWvIR9JZEYulFd0MaZTqjQkJzAmOGO2rSiTQ/s320/Minidump.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
WhoCrashed will spit out a report. Read it, it will probably help to determine what, or perhaps who, actually crashed. If it identifies specific hardware or software then follow that trail with updates, reinstalls or rollbacks as needed. Search on the Internet for more opinons if you like, too. Often there are multiple solutions as well as countless false trails.<br />
<br />
And if you prefer to use the genuine <b>Microsoft debugger</b> it's called <b>WinDbg</b> and it comes with the genuine Windows set of debugging tools, downloadable from the MSDN website (just search for it in the usual way). You'll also need the Symbols download or use the MS server like WhoCrashed does. Install it all (it's big but beautiful) and run WinDbg. You'll need to set your <b>source files folder</b> to C:\WINDOWS\Minidump and your <b>symbols folder</b> to C:\WINDOWS\symbols (or wherever you put them). Then select "open crash dump" and the specific file you want - likely to be the most recent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgpPBI0P7V4zUhRM1FVJvpo3BxJwbtZoFJ-Mu2JGjKibFw3JePNaLFI5V9HEBl0b9QuJ1RHq3XO_fopmKLsxUCufErHdvJHETKdTZNvKLZxmxSzn04FqJVRyije-R5BnZcxn7Pg/s1600/Symbols.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgpPBI0P7V4zUhRM1FVJvpo3BxJwbtZoFJ-Mu2JGjKibFw3JePNaLFI5V9HEBl0b9QuJ1RHq3XO_fopmKLsxUCufErHdvJHETKdTZNvKLZxmxSzn04FqJVRyije-R5BnZcxn7Pg/s320/Symbols.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
When set up, click away and it'll open <b>a report</b>. Read it, I'll wait here.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpp-egrsj6LKM_BSgu5bAdX5FXCSNo9JoNG00wmRL28hOyo911EKAcsBnynNHoZH6aIIYYhpvCL9kdtpgiCqvR7IsOIjyE434MH2ccw262EQWCotjOVt9N2T-qgW3e18He1KIVA/s1600/WinDbg+report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpp-egrsj6LKM_BSgu5bAdX5FXCSNo9JoNG00wmRL28hOyo911EKAcsBnynNHoZH6aIIYYhpvCL9kdtpgiCqvR7IsOIjyE434MH2ccw262EQWCotjOVt9N2T-qgW3e18He1KIVA/s320/WinDbg+report.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It'll probably suggest <b>"Use <span style="color: blue;">!analyze -v</span> to get detailed debugging information"</b> somewhere down that report, so do that as well. Again, read the report and you'll usually get the gist of what the fault was. Usually. Take what action seems reasonable (ie fix, update, upgrade or throw it in the bin and buy a new machine).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5cuN0ng2ZfOENVK8Sux4Gq4PHlhDZP-UYIX6TTrjRC3Iqqcy9SoKQz20F_sXoMpXnzttZJMhOIpdu-tAymCI_bxu5LbKcCNer98Sif5dfuHso5fubTzjzKlCmnaez5zmxBZ6-w/s1600/WinDB_analyze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5cuN0ng2ZfOENVK8Sux4Gq4PHlhDZP-UYIX6TTrjRC3Iqqcy9SoKQz20F_sXoMpXnzttZJMhOIpdu-tAymCI_bxu5LbKcCNer98Sif5dfuHso5fubTzjzKlCmnaez5zmxBZ6-w/s320/WinDB_analyze.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>If any of the above sounds ludicrously complex then just don't do it. Take it to a shop - or (if you are on the Central Coast of NSW) call me - instead. </b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-75690757935883613992011-05-14T02:53:00.000+00:002011-05-14T02:54:02.609+00:00Windows 7 updates fail to install and are rolled back - again and again and again<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Ever happen to you? Those automatic updates from Microsoft that usually just download and load up and self-configure at the next boot? Well with XP it has always run smoothly - if at times slowly - but with Windows 7 I have had more problems. Maybe because Win7 is on a laptop, or maybe not. So what's the beef?<br/><br/>Well some of these updates are big (like complete service packs) and can take hours to deploy on slow PCs on a slow network. So don't give up if it just appears to hang - wait it out. But if Win 7 tries to configure the updates but stalls, gets to 16% or even 0% and then hangs for 5 minutes or so, thinking about life or whatever before rolling back and uninstalling the updates then you may have a problem. Of course you could just have a timeout (it's a common error code) - and it will fix itself next time around. But if you wait too long you'll fill your restore point cache with failed updates and be unable to roll back to when it all worked... ouch. <br/><br/>Restoring from a known working state is the usual solution, if you have such restore points available. (Make more space for your restore points, just in case. And make a recovery disk, too, just in case.)<br/><br/>You may also have a corrupt system file, too. You can scan your harddrive for errors and check that out. <br/><br/>But here's what worked for me - I did a scan to ensure that there were no file system errors and then shut down (yet again - probably after 5 or so failed updates). When completely shut down I unplugged everything bar the monitor - no USB keyboard, mouse or scanner. And restarted. Bingo! It updated perfectly!<br/><br/>Here are some other ideas, just in case.... <br/><br/><a href='http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949358'>The update is not installed successfully, you receive a message, and the computer restarts when you try to install an update in Windows Vista and Windows 7</a><br/><blockquote><i>configuring updates stage 3 of 3. 0% complete</i></blockquote><br/><a href='http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itprovistasp/thread/684ec4f0-2120-4faa-a940-01d83ce1574d'>Windows update error: Code 80072F8F</a><br/><blockquote><i>I was having this issue with Windows 7 and it turned out to be the root certs. I downloaded / installed the update from the link below and it fixed the issue:<br/></i></blockquote><br/><br/><a href='http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itprovistasp/thread/684ec4f0-2120-4faa-a940-01d83ce1574d'>Windows update error: Code 80072F8F</a><br/><blockquote><i>As a last hope I restarted last night my ADSL modem, that has not been restarted since going back to normal time. This morning I tried again to update the computer and Oh, happy day! the updates started!!!<br/>Anyway I have no idea whether the restarting of the modem helped.</i></blockquote><br/><a href='http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itprovistasp/thread/684ec4f0-2120-4faa-a940-01d83ce1574d'>Windows update error: Code 80072F8F</a><br/><blockquote><i>I was having this issue with Windows 7 and it turned out to be the root certs. I downloaded / installed the update from the link below and it fixed the issue:</i></blockquote><br/><br/><a href='http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itprovistasp/thread/684ec4f0-2120-4faa-a940-01d83ce1574d'>Windows update error: Code 80072F8F</a><br/><blockquote><i>I have been going crazy trying to fix this Update problem plus my gadgets were not updating. Finally about the third time I fooled around with the clock I noticed that the YEAR was wrong. Duhhhh. It was Jan 2010 instead of 2011. Sheesh!</i></blockquote><br/></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-71013476439655141762011-05-12T06:01:00.000+00:002011-05-13T20:35:34.569+00:00Just getting into 3D imagery? Have you tried these programs yet?<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I'm by no means a master of 3D - <i>yet</i> - but I have tried a few programs and can recommend some great ways to get started. Like...<br/><br/>How about <b>Bryce</b>? PC version, of course, but Mac is supported too (just search for a link). Be careful to read the whole page or you'll miss the free rego code....<br/> <br/><a href='http://download.cnet.com/Bryce-Personal-Learning-Edition/3000-6677_4-75219820.html'>Bryce (Personal Learning Edition) - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com</a><br/><blockquote><i>This Personal Learning Edition (PLE) of Bryce 7 is a full-version with no watermarks or limitations of any kind in the program itself. The licensing allows for strictly personal, non-commercial use. SERIAL CODE: BDZPLED-070-0000000-NBA-001-HBUVMLF<br/></i><i><br/>Bryce is an award winning, fun, feature-packed 3D modeling and <br />animation package designed to allow new users to quickly create and <br />render stunning 3D environments. Bryce combines exceptional power with <br />an innovative interface for incredible ease of use. Add wildlife, <br />people, props and more to your scenes via the DAZ Studio character <br />plug-in in addition to terrain, water, sky, rocks, clouds, fog, <br />vegetation, and architecture for which Bryce has long been the standard.</i><br/></blockquote>And its companion, <b>DAZ 3D Studio</b>...<br/><br/><a href='http://www.daz3d.com/i/software/daz_studio3/download?_m=d'>DAZ 3D - Free 3D Software and 3D Model Providers</a><br/><blockquote><i>DAZ Studio 3 Products and Bundles<br/>DAZ Studio is a free, feature rich 3D figure design and 3D animation <br />tool that enables anyone to create stunning digital imagery. This is the<br /> perfect tool to design unique digital art and animation using virtual <br />people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories, environments and more. <br />Simply select your subject and/or setting, arrange accessories, setup <br />lighting, and begin creating beautiful artwork.</i><br/></blockquote>And <b>Blender</b>, an enormously useful tool for 3D work... you'll see Blender-ised 3D images built into applications all over the web... <br/><br/><a href='http://www.blender.org/'>blender.org - Home</a><br/><blockquote><i>Blender is the free open source 3D content creation suite, available for all major operating systems under the GNU General Public License.</i></blockquote><br/>And of course <b>iClone 4</b> from Reallusion... easier to use but still powerful with a free version to boot... the real-time filmmaking is a standout. <br/><br/><a href='http://www.reallusion.com/iclone/'>iClone - Solution for Real-time 3D Animation 3D Stereo Video</a><br/><blockquote><i>Real-time animation evolves with 3D Video FX, motion paths, HDR and rapid drag & drop creation inside iClone4. iClone4 combines real-time filmmaking & video production inside one powerful engine. The result is a streamlined production tool for motion graphics, 3D animation, video compositing and 3D stereo creation. </i></blockquote><br/>That's all for now - it'll get you started anyway.<br/></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-65290155124179049182011-04-29T05:21:00.003+00:002011-04-30T03:56:48.308+00:00If someone rings you up and claims that your "inf" dir is full of "infected" files.... hang up<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
There is a scammer on the loose hoping to get into your PC by claiming that your INF files are by default "infected". They are turning what are usually harmless and necessary information files into some sort of "proof" that your PC needs help. Don't believe 'em. Just hang up and run your virus scanner on that folder to prove it to yourself. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INF_file">INF file - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a><br />
<blockquote>
An INF file (stands for information) or Setup Information file, is a plain text file used by Microsoft Windows for installation of software and drivers. INF files are most commonly used for installing device drivers for hardware components. Windows includes IExpress.exe for the creation of INF-based installations. INF files are part of the Windows Setup API.</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<div class="zemanta-pixie">
<img alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=f017dfbe-86ca-8469-91f8-bee1385eb7d4" /></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-13549223024272619512011-01-23T23:21:00.000+00:002011-01-23T23:21:44.092+00:00Troubled by dodgy DNS from your ISP?<b>DNS</b> stands as for <b>D</b>omain <b>N</b>ame <b>S</b>erver - a server (literally serving your requests) that converts the long and wordy web addresses you type into a browser into shorter, machine-decodable strings of numbers called <b>IP</b> (for <b>I</b>nternet <b>P</b>rotocol) <b>addresses</b>. It's just like looking up a telephone number by doing a name search. And it's done for you everytime you go to a web address (like <a href="http://gtveloce.com/">http://gtveloce.com/</a> or whatever).<br />
<br />
Now sometimes your local DNS<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gtvelocecom-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0764516833&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> 'phonebook' is down or just not up to date (it can be a day or more out of date). So when you search for a website it just doesn't appear onscreen, even when you 'know' it's there. Perhaps you even put it there. That's dodgy DNS for you. So you may wish to bypass your local DNS instead... but how do you do that?<br />
<br />
Well you can simply replace your DNS server record in Windows (or any other operating system). It's safe and easy and completely reversible, just remember to write down your current settings (if any), just in case you need to revert. <br />
<br />
There are usually just 2 alternative DNS address settings and your operating system tries one firstly and if it times out it tries the next. Sometimes your ISP (or <b>I</b>nternet <b>S</b>ervice <b>P</b>rovider) pushes the settings out to you automagically and other times they ask you (or some software) to do it instead. You may need to reboot after changing the settings, too, but only if it doesn't seem to work straight up. <br />
<br />
<u>Here are the instructions (for <b>Windows XP</b>, but Windows in general will be similar).</u><br />
<br />
<b>start</b>-><b>control panel</b>-><b>network connections</b>-><b>local area connection</b> (NOT internet settings - well not usually, anyway - trust me)<br />
->click on '<b>properties</b>' and a box opens<br />
->click on (to highlight) <b>Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)</b> -> and then click the '<b>properties</b>' button underneath (another box opens)<br />
->change from '<b>obtain DNS server address automatically</b>' to '<b>use the following DNS server addresses</b>'. The DNS server addresses may already be there, if so write them down just in case you want to roll back<br />
->Pick some DNS server addresses from<b> the list below</b> (start with the closest geographic ones) and see what happens. Save all the way back, see if it works in your browser or <b>ping or tracert</b> in a <b>command window</b> (if you don't know how to do that just ignore it) to confirm - and reboot if necessary to make sure the settings have loaded. If it works, great. If not, try a different set of numbers.<br />
<br />
Yes, it's tedious, but so is waiting for your ISP to refresh their DNS.... <br />
<br />
Here are some apparently <b>free public <a class="term1" href="" moz-do-not-send="true" title="What is DNS ?">DNS</a> servers</b> you can use (no guarantees, not necessarily tested by me and may have even disappeared - if so, try another)<br />
<span id="intelliTXT"><br />
Public Aussie DNS Server: </span><span id="intelliTXT"> 220.233.167.31 (I tested it and it's up and working - try it)<br />
</span><span id="intelliTXT">AU,QLD: 58.6.115.42 (very, very slow - perhaps avoid)<br />
AU,QLD: 202.83.95.227 </span> (fastest of these 3 - definitely try this one too)<br />
<br />
OR try these - a bit far away from me but may be closer to you (although Google's servers are said to be fast):<br />
<br />
Google:<br />
8.8.8.8<br />
8.8.4.4<br />
<br />
Google's instructions (includes Win7): <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html" moz-do-not-send="true">http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html</a><br />
<br />
or try<br />
<br />
OpenDNS:<br />
208.67.222.222<br />
208.67.220.220<br />
<br />
Hope that helps you.<br />
<br />
Rob. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-5955223073304990322010-12-13T23:19:00.001+00:002010-12-13T23:19:40.867+00:00Rollbacks, backups and restorations<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Just a few notes on being cautious and careful with your data... because if you lose it, it's gone! Of course you can lose anything - including your keys, your dreams and/or your self-respect - but I'm thinking <b>digital</b>. With the ongoing conversion of "things" into binary digits - or "bits" - it's easy to overlook the potential for <b>loss of data</b>. <br/><br/><u>So here are some tips:</u><br/><br/>Hard drives fail, often suddenly. So make <b>backups</b>. To do this, firstly file your digital documents and images in logical spots (so you can find them easily without a hunt) then do a back up onto <b>a different device</b>. A backup can be as simple as a <b>copy</b> - onto a flash drive, a web drive, a DVD or an external HDD - or can be via <b>backup software</b>. As long as it's done - and works (ie <b>test it</b> occasionally) - it may save you from some grievous digital loss.<br/><br/>You can also make complete <b>images</b> of your working PC setup using "ghosting" or imaging software. A 'belts and braces' approach to data backup and recovery may include regular backups onto external hardware plus a working "image" of your PC or other device (again, stored externally). Sounds too hard? Get someone to do it for you.<br/><br/>Programs and drivers sometimes screw up, too: or "what works today may not work tomorrow". It could be that some data was re-written but was unintentionally distorted in the process, or a new program or OS update overwrote a critical shared file and left your older software out of action. It happens. So prepare for that with new <b>system restore point</b> (a link below on how to do that in XP, it's similar in most popular operating systems). That way you can "roll back" to a previous, working state. Often software (such as device driver updates) offer "rollbacks" as standard, in case of drama. But if they don't - and the new driver has killed something you rely upon - you need a restore point. <br/><br/>And remember to do the occasional test <b>restoration</b>, so that you know it works!<br/><br/><a href='http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows/using-system-restore-in-xp/'>Using System Restore in XP - How-To Geek</a><br/><blockquote><i>Windows is well-known for having driver and .dll conflicts, as well as all sorts of software that causes problems with your computer. Luckily there’s a System restore feature that can return your computer back to a known working configuration, as long as you’ve created a restore point.<br/><br/>Note that some software installations will create restore points automatically, but you should run it manually before installing any questionable applications. (Or better yet, don’t install questionable applications!)</i></blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=f2fe3174-9c2a-83b4-ae84-5ebb1368eb53' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-81763433750483340922010-10-12T13:23:00.001+00:002010-10-12T13:25:56.490+00:00Webstuff: redirecting or refreshing a page of HTMLOK, you probably don't need to do this but I bet you've seen it done - you go to a website and suddenly - either immediately or a few seconds later - it <b>redirects</b> you to another site. It can be useful and legitimate or just plain deceitful and annoying. It all depends on the <b>intention</b>. <br />
<br />
Well if your intentions are <i>good</i> then I'll tell you how it's done. (Or at least show you <i>one</i> way to do it - there's <i>always</i> more than one way.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Here's some sample code:</b><br />
<br />
(Like all HTML, wrap some brackets < > around it to make it work and pop it into the HEAD of your HTML page, ie after the HTML tag but before the BODY tag.) <br />
<br />
meta http-equiv="REFRESH" content="0;url=http://www.the-domain-you-want-to-redirect-to.com"<br />
<br />
(Don't forget to close off your "meta" tag, either.) <br />
<br />
<b>So what happens here? </b><br />
Well the <b>meta content="0;url=http://<b>the-domain-you-want-to-redirect-to</b>.com" http-equiv="REFRESH"</b> is the part that actually does the redirecting or "refreshing". The number before the URL (in this case "0") tells your web browser the number of seconds to wait before redirecting to the new address (or URL). You could set this to 3 or 5 and add some explanatory text or just leave it at zero. Whatever suits your purposes.<br />
<br />
<b>So what do I do with this?</b> <br />
<br />
Just copy the code above into your <b>HTML editor<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gtvelocecom-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000AOJOUI&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></b> of choice - it could be <b>Kompozer</b> or even just <b>Notepad</b> - and save it as something that makes sense. It could be <b>index.html</b> if it's redirecting traffic off your domain or subdirectory root, which is the most likely use. Don't forget to change the domain name to the one you want to redirect to - and remember you can be explicit, right down to the page you want your visitor to land on.<br />
<br />
For example I just put it to use in refreshing a page which contained an inline frame. I had a list of .PDF files inside the frame and if clicked they opened (that's the intention) - but you had to get out and back in again to get back to the list.<br />
<br />
Instead of making visitors load a new page and then return I added a "Click here to refresh this list" button that simply took the browser out of that page to "refresh.html", a page that carries a "List refreshing now..." message and the above code. All it does is redirect back to the page with the inline frame - and voila! - the list has refreshed. Job done. And that's a <b>legitimate</b> use.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-85847406595409505132010-10-10T02:51:00.001+00:002010-10-10T02:52:46.873+00:00Windows Live Messenger encounters problem on startup?Let me guess. You just updated to the latest version of <b>Live Messenger</b> on <b>Windows XP</b> (and maybe later OS versions as well) and suddenly Live Messenger fails to proceed. It crashes with the "has encountered a problem and needs to close" message. Well I had that as well. And there's a quick fix.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you firstly what <b>doesn't</b> work:<br />
<ul><li>Reinstalling or repairing Live Messenger via "Add/Remove Programs" in "Control Panel" doesn't work</li>
<li>Uninstalling Internet Explore 8 doesn't work</li>
<li>Re-installing Internet Explorer 8 doesn't work</li>
<li>Running all manner of virus checkers doesn't work.</li>
</ul>What <b>does work</b> is this fix from <b>Microsoft</b>: <a href="http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=17e5dddf-4156-4725-a1a5-f3a10a76e12f">http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=17e5dddf-4156-4725-a1a5-f3a10a76e12f</a><br />
<br />
Well it worked for me, anyway. If you've tried everything else then it's up to you. Another way around this problem is to disable or remove it and use another messenger.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-71630714881237101602010-09-25T00:30:00.001+00:002010-09-25T00:30:58.216+00:00Lenovo X200 downgrade to XP - part 2<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Just to recap (and this applies in general to many laptops, not just Lenovo's) the steps in the downgrade from Vista to XP are (a) find the XP drivers for your hardware (in this example the Lenovo X200) and download them (b) go into the BIOS and switch your HDD to 'compatibility mode' and (c) boot up with the XP install disk. After that fine tune as needed. But that's not all as (as in life) there are alternatives.... like a call to Lenovo support to get the optional XP install disk. <br/><br/>Or, if you really want to do the job yourself have a read of this variation on the theme...<br/><br/><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>Well, to install Windows XP you will need a Windows XP cd of course.<br/><br/>Insert the Windows XP cd in your external optical drive. Set the boot order in the BIOS so that your external optical drive is boot up before your hard disk. Reboot and follow the instructions :smileyhappy:</blockquote><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>However, I got "Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer" msg and asked me to quit the setup.<br/><br/>Seems it couldn't recongnize my harddisk </blockquote><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>Go into you Bios (by clicking on F1 while booting) and go to "Config" -> "Serial ATA (SATA)" and amend type to "Compatibilty" mode.<br/><br/>Afterwards press F10 to save and exit.<br/><br/>Now you should be able to install XP.<br/><br/>Once XP is installed, do not amend SATA type to original one, this would lead to a boot error.</blockquote><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>This solution works but however, I doubt it's the best solution because basically you're using old SATA drivers to run your Harddrive now. Here's what I did. You'll need another computer for this.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>1. Get a Windows CD and copy the ISO to your PC.<br/><br/>2. Download nLite - Link<br/><br/>3. Download SATA Drivers - Link<br/><br/>4. Add Sata Drivers to your nLite Copy<br/><br/>5. Burn a Copy of this new Windows with Drivers.<br/><br/>6. You're set! No more BSOD.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Notes: The SATA drivers will unzip themselves in a folder make sure you pick the right one (9M). Instruction on how to add drivers on nLite are pretty easy; add "Single Driver" (read their forums for more stuff you can do to your installation).</blockquote><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>Actually, since this is a montevina based machine, you need to start with a XP cd that is SP2 or higher. You do need to go into the BIOS and change the SATA mode to Compatibility. Once you have installed Windows XP, you need to download the IMSM driver from lenovo's website. Once you have installed the IMSM package, go back into BIOS and change the SATA mode back to AHCI.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>If you use an XP cd that is SP0 or SP1, you will blue screen on PCI.SYS. If you don't change the SATA mode to compatibility, you will likely blue screen with a 07B error.</blockquote><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603/page/2'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Page 2 - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>This is the way to do this.<br/><br/>change the sata controllor to compability.<br/><br/>install xp sp3.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>after installation install the Intel matrix storage manager from the driver page http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70477.html<br/><br/> <br/><br/>reboot and change the sata controllor to ahci again. The driver will be automatically installed.<br/><br/>install .net from the ms site.<br/><br/>install system update from the lenovo site.<br/><br/>run system update.<br/><br/>after this installation there are still some drivers missing.<br/><br/>wifi, bluetooth, modem, and two pci devices.<br/><br/>http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70477.html<br/><br/> <br/><br/>but the tricky thing is the two pci devices.<br/><br/>for this one you need first to install this one<br/><br/>http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70313.html<br/><br/>and after reboot you install this one<br/><br/>http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-70317.html<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Now you can update xp with all the necessary updates. and you're done.<br/><br/> <br/><br/>there are still some missing tools like active protection but this you can download from the site too!</blockquote><a href='http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Windows-XP-and-Vista-discussion/X200-remove-Vista-and-install-XP/td-p/63603/page/2'>X200 remove Vista and install XP - Page 2 - Lenovo Community</a><br/><blockquote>i used <a href='http://www.nliteos.com/' target='_blank'>nLlite</a> with my own XP Pro disk and Lenovo drivers. With no prev experience with nLite, I found it very easy. Will do this from now on. </blockquote><a href='http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/188992-windows-xp-clean-install.html'>Windows XP Clean Install</a><br/><blockquote>Welcome to the Windows XP Clean Install/Downgrade Guide!<br/><br/>I've seen a lot of threads asking how they should do a clean install and what they should do when problems occur. So I've made this thorough guide so everyone can have a stable, clean, and complete installation of Windows XP without any 3rd party software. ThinkVantage applications are considered 3rd party software. This Clean Install Guide can also help with slow boot up times (mine went from 90 seconds to 30 seconds from the moment I press the power button to a usable desktop), BSOD's (Blue-Screens-of-Death), a slow, unstable system, adware, spyware, viruses, and many more problems. The Guide can be used to install XP on any ThinkPad, e.g., T61(p), R61(i/e), X61(s), T60(p), etc.<br/><br/>The guide is somewhat tedious to follow due to its length. Please follow the guide carefully and make sure not to skip anything or else your computer will be incomplete. This guide can also be used as a downgrade from Vista to XP.</blockquote><a href='http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/333677-thinkpad-superguide.html'>ThinkPad SuperGuide</a><br/><blockquote>Windows XP Clean Install<br/><br/>Method 1 (manual driver installation)<br/><br/>1. Backup data if necessary.<br/>2. Use the Driver Matrices to download the following drivers/software and their respective readme's to an external storage device:<br/></blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=b6c5c7d7-816f-8b0c-bfde-bfeb74a16d7d' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-12707363185571051722010-09-24T22:51:00.001+00:002010-09-24T22:51:29.570+00:00Lenovo ThinkPad project de-evolution - backtracking from Vista to XP - part 1<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>Is it possible - or desirable - to uninstall Vista and install XP instead on the <b>Lenovo X200</b>? Well let's find out.<br/><br/>First up we'll need to dig up the specific <b>XP drivers</b> and download them in advance... and then do a web search to locate any helpful <b>advice</b> (preferably from people who have already done this).... and interestingly <b>Lenovo</b> offered this downgrade as an option for new buyers, so there are genuine Lenovo disks around that will do this job. (That sounds the easiest way.)<br/><br/>As you'll read below downloading and installing the drivers in the correct order is your typical time-consuming trial-and-error hair-pulling business, and happily Lenovo appears to offer both a <b>free tool</b> to semi-automate the process (ThinkVantage System Update) and a <b>fully-automated disk</b> at presumably some (hopefully small) price. Read on for all of the fun.... <br/><br/><a href='http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?subcategoryind=0&familyind=422602&brandind=10&doccategoryind=360516&modelind=0&doctypeind=9&validate=true&partnumberind=0&sitestyle=lenovo&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&operatingsystemind=49979&machineind=0'/><a href='http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/migr-70476.html#APPLYCOUNTRY'>Lenovo Support & downloads - Drivers and software - ThinkPad X200, X200s, X200 Tablet</a><br/><blockquote>Download the most common drivers and software<br/>Click the category below to quickly jump to the driver you need, then click the driver's version number for more information on how to obtain the file.</blockquote><a href='http://www.laptop-driver.net/lenovo-thinkpad-x200-xp-drivers/'>Lenovo ThinkPad X200 XP Drivers | Laptop Drivers Download</a><br/><blockquote>Lenovo ThinkPad X200 XP Drivers</blockquote><a href='http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?subcategoryind=0&familyind=422602&brandind=10&doccategoryind=0&modelind=0&doctypeind=9&validate=true&partnumberind=0&sitestyle=lenovo&template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&operatingsystemind=53385&machineind=0'>Lenovo Support & downloads - ThinkPad X200 support</a><br/><blockquote>Downloads and drivers<br/>Product support<br/> <br/>Product: ThinkPad X200 [change]<br/>Operating system: Windows XP [change]</blockquote><a href='http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-70476'>Lenovo Support & downloads - Drivers and software - ThinkPad X200, X200s, X200 Tablet</a><br/><blockquote>Download the most common drivers and software<br/>Click the category below to quickly jump to the driver you need, then click the driver's version number for more information on how to obtain the file.<br/> BIOS<br/> Intel AMT<br/> Audio<br/> Communications - Bluetooth<br/> Communications - Modem<br/> Diagnostics<br/> <br/> Hard drive<br/> Mouse/TrackPoint<br/> Multimedia<br/> Networking - Ethernet<br/> Networking - Wireless<br/> Networking - Wireless WAN<br/> Optical drive<br/> <br/> Power management<br/> Software<br/> System utilities<br/> ThinkVantage Technologies<br/> Video<br/> Windows install supplements<br/><br/>Notes:<br/><br/> * View all files for the ThinkPad X200, X200s and X200 Tablet systems.<br/><br/><br/></blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>You will need to order a system with Vista Business or Ultimate to qualify for the XP downgrade. The system will be preloaded with Vista and shipped with XP downgrade discs.<br/><br/>1. Yes, you will be able to switch between XP and Vista any time you want. Make sure you create the Vista recovery discs first before loading XP.<br/>2. The XP recovery discs will recreate the Lenovo preload image with the drivers and ThinkVantage applications integrated.<br/>3. Yes, you will need an optical drive to load the XP recovery discs and to create the Vista recovery discs. A generic external optical drive will work just as well as the Media Slice.<br/>3. Lenovo's page on downgrading to XP should cover the important steps in your downgrade process.</blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>I just did this with an X300. As above poster says, it comes with Vista installed and you have to get a separate CD with the XP downgrade. This is not an instll disk, rather replaces Vista on the hidden service partition and then you install from this. So any subsequent restore of the OS using Lenovo Rescue and Recovery will restore XP. To go back to Vista, you need to use a Vista CD, made with the Lenovo utility before you do the XP downgrade, to put Vista back into the hidden service partition and then do an install.<br/><br/>After the XP install, most drivers for my X300 worked fine, but not the WAN wireless. This was downloadable from the Lenovo website and worked fine.<br/><br/>I did run the machine with Vista for a while prior to making the decision to downgrade. Only one thing worked better in Vista than in XP and that was the WAN integration - Vista handles this natively, with XP one has to use either Access Connections or the software from the service provider.</blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>I'm trying to downgrade an X200 using my customer's XP (upgrade) installation CD (w/ valid PID), and the setup is failing after all the drivers have been loaded and Windows Setup is started, with a BSOD of a "07" error (I can give the specific BSOD error number later, but it refers to New Hardware, Viruses, hard drive erros, and suggests running "chkdsk /f".<br/><br/>The drive is malware and error free.<br/><br/>Hiren's (v. 10) boots to the "Mini XP" just fine, so the optical drive is working. Setup also fails in the same way when I attempt to install with an XP OEM disk (not an "upgrade" version).<br/><br/>At this point, my current theory is that the X200 (Thinkpad) is so hardware-specific and picky, that only the factory installation disk for XP will work, and that any attempt at installing XP from a standard Installation CD will fail. I hope I'm wrong, and am hoping someone can tell me that they've been able to successfully install a Vista-to-XP downgrade using a standard XP Installation disk, and how they were able to do it.</blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>The easy workaround is to go into BIOS and change SATA mode from AHCI to compatibility. That will at least get XP to boot. You can then install the Intel Matrix Storage Drivers and switch back to AHCI.<br/><br/>Lenovo's XP preload/recovery image already have the SATA AHCI drivers already integrated so you don't have to mess around with it. Windows Vista and 7 already has the necessary driver built-in.</blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>Thanks to the both of you, you were exactly right. "Needing the Drivers" was something that I suspected, but I thought that the only way to get them was off the Lenovo Factory Restore Disk. But the next post mentioned<br/>"AHCI" which is something that I have seen/recognized in various BIOS's, but never have had to deal with.<br/><br/>Turns out, that was the problem and the solution. I went to BIOS, flipped the switch from "AHCI" to "Compatibility" and instantly on the next reboot the Windows XP Professional (Upgrade) Installation Disk was working just fine, with no BSOD.<br/></blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>The Next Step: Installing ALL the X200's Drivers<br/>I'm going to post this for posterity, on the chance it helps someone else.<br/><br/>I just spend almost 4 hours getting the last 5 drivers installed. First thing, you'll do well to have a USB NIC to use to connect to the internet, until you can download and install the wireless network drivers.<br/><br/>I'll try to keep the rest in as sequential an order as I can remember. It's 3:35 a.m., please keep that in mind...<br/><br/>1) I installed SP3 Standalone, a copy of which I keep on my USB thumbdrive. Good move. Dramatically reduces the number of updates you need to wade through at Windows Update.<br/><br/>2) Same-same for IE8. Also good to do this before going to Windows Update, but after the wireless interent (or wired, I suppose) is up and running, so that you can update IE8, and not have IE6 and all it's updates, IE7, etc... cluttering up the Update window.<br/><br/>3) At Lenovo's Driver download page. Someone somewhere mentioned something about installing some kind of automatic software to find, download and install all the drivers automatically. I read this after spending 3 hours trying to find them all one at a time. Unfortunately, the message I got from Lenovo when trying to run this tool was that it was only designed to be used with Windows 7. Might have been a glitch, and might work for someone else. Figured I'd mention it early so that if it does work, someone doesn't waste time.<br/><br/>4) The Lenovo Drivers are REAL tricky. You'd like to think it's just a matter of downloading them, saving them, launching then and the installation is automatic. No, no, NO ! Don't think that way. That thinking cost me 2 hours or more. After running the installation/set-up/whatever file, you then MUST read the "read me" text file on the Lenovo driver page, because many of the drivers have a different installation method. A few want to be run from a specific directory (usually where the set-up file dumps them), and one wants to be run from the Start > Run > cmd (command line). Many of the "set-up" files do not actually set-up and/or "install" anything (although some do), they just copy the data from where you launch the set-up to a "C:\drivers\win\..." directory. You have to go there to actually launch the REAL installation executable. Oh yeah, and at least one of the drivers needs to be installed by working backwards from Device Manager>Update Driver>Install from specific location and then aim the wizard at the driver directory that you find in the "read me" file.<br/><br/>MAIN POINT: Read ALL the "read me" files. It's goofy stupid, tedious and time consuming, but the only alternative is to miss this point, and keep hunting for drivers when their installation files are buried on your hard drive already.<br/><br/>5) Oh yeah. Do the CHIPSET drivers. Duh. They solve I think 2 of the last oddball hardwares missing drivers. SM Bus Controller, I think. I should note here that ALL the drivers I needed came from the Lenovo Driver page. Other forum's posts have people saying they can't find them there, and they are going to other sites, and using drivers for other models of laptops, etc... Completely unnecessary; everything I needed was on the Lenovo site.<br/><br/>6) Install the Proset utility, but don't install any of the software; it's not needed. Just the driver is good enough. Windows Wireless Configuration can run the wireless just fine; you don't need to different softwares installed, both trying to do the exact same thing. Plus, Proset is junk and WZC gives massages with happy endings.<br/><br/>7) Lessee, what else... Oh yeah, don't forget to install the software for the tablet stylus pen. I downloaded software directly from Waccom (Google "x200 stylus") and I think it's different than the software you would (probably, I was in a hurry and was tired of looking at Lenovo) find at Lenovo. The Waccom software was quick, and seemed more functional than what I think I remember was on the Vista O/S. Not my computer so I can't say for certain. The Wacomm software has a "calibrate" function if the stylus is 3/4" from where the mouse is (mine was). "Calibrate" fixed that in about 30 seconds.<br/><br/>8) Umm... Well I went crazy and used Easeus Partition Manager (used to be Magic, I think) and made an 11 Gbyte partition after all the installing, updating, drivering and fiddling was over. It's on a 320 Gbyte drive, so there's plenty of room. Then, I used XXClone to make a clone of the newly-installed Operating System with all the drivers and stuff, and all the TIME invested into it, so that if the O/S ever goes bad for whatever reason (infection, etc...) the clone can be used to re-create the newly-completed installation, so I won't have to do all of that stuff all over again. Won't help if the HD goes bad, but now that I've discovered HDD Regnerator v 1.71, HD's don't go bad for me anymore. (little hint, there....)<br/><br/>9) Activate your O/S before you clone it.<br/><br/>10) I like MyDefrag's "Monthly" data compaction and reordering script. Knocks at least 5 seconds off the boot time, and on really fragmented machines it cuts the boot time in half.<br/><br/>11) Disable all the crap services, like "Help & Support", "Error Reporting", "Fast User Switching", "Secondary Logon", "NetBIOS / IP Helper", "Remote Registry" and few others. Google "Black Viper" for a couple more. Switching Auto Connection Manager from Manual to Automatic will speed up the boot process by about 2 seconds, I think because it doesn't have to "manually" decide it has a wireless card and think about whether or not to make a connection (equals delay).<br/></blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>ThinkVantage System Update is the name. You probably downloaded version 4, which is for Windows 7 only. XP and Vista users should use version 3.14. It finds, downloads and installs all the drivers that you need. It's a great time saver.<br/><br/>WRT driver installation order, I always install the chipset driver first before the rest like display, network, etc. The chipset is the interconnect between CPU and all the devices, and the CPU needs to know how to access the interconnect before it can access the devices.</blockquote><a href='http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/858807-vista-xp-downgrade-lenovo-x200.html'>Vista > XP Downgrade for Lenovo X200 - FlyerTalk Forums</a><br/><blockquote>If your XP were tablet edition, the stylus would be supported out of the box. XP Tablet Edition was one level above Pro, and available only through OEM channels. If you run XP Pro with tablet driver, you won't have the Tablet Input Panel (TIP) and handwriting recognition. Nevertheless, the Wacom Penabled driver vastly improves on the built-in driver.</blockquote><a href='http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=VSTA-DWNGRD'>Lenovo Support & downloads - Downgrading from certain versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 to Windows XP</a><br/><blockquote>Downgrading from certain versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 to Windows XP </blockquote><a href='http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=VSTA-DWNGRD'>Lenovo Support & downloads - Downgrading from certain versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 to Windows XP</a><br/><blockquote>Lenovo is providing Windows® XP Professional Recovery media and/or Windows Vista Recovery media as a way to downgrade from certain Windows Vista® or Windows® 7 operating systems running on Lenovo Think PCs.<br/><br/>Eligible operating systems include:<br/><br/> * Microsoft® Windows Vista® Business<br/> * Microsoft® Windows Vista® Ultimate<br/> * Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional<br/> * Microsoft® Windows® 7 Ultimate<br/><br/>Lenovo customers having a qualified operating system may purchase a Windows XP Recovery CD or Windows Vista Recovery CD by contacting their local Support Center.</blockquote><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=ab2a789c-6c84-8e45-bcb9-329de7385155' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-2052656524666959882010-06-07T08:08:00.001+00:002010-06-07T08:10:33.190+00:00How to - place a hit counter on a Blogger or BlogSpot blog<b>Blogger and BlogSpot</b> are the same thing, a user-friendly blogging platform owned and operated by <b>Google</b>. They recently underwent an upgrade that has seen the introduction of a common interface, so these instructions should work for all users (I hope!).<br />
<br />
I did hope there was a counter already set up as a <b>gadget</b>, but there wasn't. I certainly couldn't find it by searching the gadgets for "counter" anyway. So let's just use <i>another</i> gadget - the <b>"HTML/Javascript"</b> one, instead.<br />
<br />
First up, though, we need some <b>counter code</b>. You can usually get this from any virtual server hosting company but if you <i>don't</i> have one of those handy there are plenty of options on the web. <b style="color: red;">Beware though as the top 2 on a Google Search for "counter code free" were marked as suspected spammers/crackers or just plain infected sites. You don't want bad code infecting your blog, so respect those warnings if you see 'em.</b><br />
<br />
Anyway I found what appears to be a <b>reputable site</b> and I have tested it out. So far, so good. It offers lots of variations on the hit counter theme and I just chose "whatever" to see if it worked.<b> It did.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0Ar80ZgHJEDbqsHj8togtCn3G3IlpAvhpfBtz41VQpGvI_jxkxXb25dJNCe-tpB2YAvJ1_-9O1e4HsFXZs9n7w3q9UGhmVQjp9qxUoftJmwqFytRrQDaSi38F_F7qNGOvpjpRw/s1600/finished+counter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy0Ar80ZgHJEDbqsHj8togtCn3G3IlpAvhpfBtz41VQpGvI_jxkxXb25dJNCe-tpB2YAvJ1_-9O1e4HsFXZs9n7w3q9UGhmVQjp9qxUoftJmwqFytRrQDaSi38F_F7qNGOvpjpRw/s320/finished+counter.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Yes, it would work better against a white background but hey, it works ;-)<br />
<br />
I got it from <a href="http://www.website-hit-counters.com/"><b>Website Hit Counters</b></a> in the form of a snippet of code. My selected code generates a counter that looks just like this (please <b>don't</b> view source and copy my code, it's <b>specific</b> to my site and won't work for you!!):<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span></i></span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" style="width: 133px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.website-hit-counters.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.website-hit-counters.com/cgi-bin/image.pl?URL=380705-5228" title="" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td align="center"><span style="color: #330006; font-family: Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none;"> <a href="http://www.website-hit-counters.com/" style="color: #555556; font-family: Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="web counter">web counter</a> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="color: blue;"></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i><span style="font-size: small;">All I had to do was <b>copy and paste</b> that code into the standard <b>HTML/Javascript gadget </b>supplied by Blogger.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">So the steps are:</span></span></b></i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Go to a <u>reputable hit counter maker</u>. If you go to <a href="http://www.website-hit-counters.com/">Website Hit Counters</a> they'll ask you to <b>select a style</b> (choose <i>wisely</i>, unlike me). You'll also have to supply a <b>starting count</b> (like zero or something higher if you like) and <b>an email address</b>. They'll email you with stats if you like. There's no other charge</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Copy the code</b> that is generated</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Go to <b>Blogger</b> and <u>log into your account</u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Select your blog on your <b>Blogger dashboard</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Choose <b>"Design"</b>. You'll be presented with <b>"add or arrange page elements"</b> and an overview of your blog design. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Depending upon the <b>layout</b> of your blog (something you can also change if you like) somewhere on that design will be an option to <b>"add a gadget"</b>. Preferably find that option in a good spot - the bottom of your page for example - and click on it</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A <b>gadget list</b> will come up - just scroll down to <b>"HTML/Javascript"</b> and click on the "plus" or addition sign to <b>add that gadget</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The gadget wants a name but you can ignore that - leave it blank - and just <b>paste your code into the large empty box</b>, then click <b>"save"</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It will then save the code on the page! Just click on <b>"view blog"</b> and scroll down to the page bottom (or wherever you chose to put it). Your counter should now be visible. </span></span></li>
</ol><b><span style="font-size: small;"> Hope that works for you, too. </span></b><div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-57070438979377992562010-06-07T00:28:00.000+00:002010-06-07T00:28:25.785+00:00I can help you set up a blog or simple website<u>Yes, it's easy - very easy. But isn't everything easy once you know how? </u><br />
<br />
<b>In fact it can look daunting.</b> There are so many options: host locally, or globally? Use Blogger or WordPress? Windows or Unix? US or Aussie domain? A subdomain? What about support? How do I update it? First up I can provide <b>an initial consultation</b> and work with you to refine what you want - and what you really need. My <b>standard $50/hour rate</b> applies for such new consultations - but if you <i>already</i> know what you want - a simple, effective blog or website on a standard platform - then we can skip the deep analysis. <br />
<br />
So if you <i>do</i> want to set up a <b>blog</b> or simple <b>website</b> and just want some help, I can assist with setting it up at my standard rate of <b>$50/hour</b> (or less for repeat business). That's to say that I'll work with you on theme choice, overall design, navigation and basic "how-to" instruction, including FTP if needed. If you have monetisation already (Google <i>AdSense</i> for example) or want to set that up I'll help with that as well. I'll also cap this <b>standard setup</b> at <b>$300</b> - if your <b>single domain</b>, <b>single blog</b> - using either <b>WordPress</b> or <b>Blogger</b>, with standard themes - or <b>5 page web site</b> with a standard template theme (from my stock or yours), basic navigation and up to 5 images isn't up and running for that price then <u>I'll keep working on it until it is</u> - no extra charge. To do this and not go broke I have to add <i>just 2 catches...</i><br />
<br />
<b>Catch number 1</b> - whilst I'll always give you plenty of options and choices they will be on platforms and using tools that <i>I use regularly</i>, <i>already have access to</i> or are <i>freely</i> available. (Which is to say that at this price I'm <b>not</b> going to buy extra hardware or additional software to meet your specific requirements - <u>however I'm happy to quote on such extras!</u>) My blogging platforms of choice are WordPress or Blogger and I have deep experience with both. For most purposes I recommend Blogger but for deeper customisation WordPress will usually give a better result. (It will also take more time to learn on your part, however.) Use either and it'll go smoothly.<br />
<br />
<b>Catch number 2</b> - <u>for this one-off set up fee <i>I <b>don't</b> provide hosting</i></u>. But this is actually <b>not</b> a problem for most bloggers or simple web sites. You can get basic hosting <b>free </b>or at little cost; or you can source it yourself. If you accept basic hosting on Blogger or a free or near-free web host (WordPress also comes free in some cases) I'll help you with uploading and customisation how-to until the site works <i>as intended</i>. We decide together at the beginning what 'working as intended' means, so that's not a confusion later. <br />
<br />
If you want <b>more</b>, including <b>ongoing support</b>, I can help at my <u>ongoing $40/hour rate for regular customers</u>. I also offer a hosting plan using US servers, or can help you with an Aussie based server if you wish - both at <b>extra cost</b>. I'll quote on your needs. I can also host your pages on my own shared virtual servers, using domains and sub-domains I own (but again I'll give you options).<br />
<br />
<br />
And if you do want all of the bells and whistles - something outside of the ordinary, standard templates - again I'll listen to what you want to do and quote.<br />
<br />
Still confused? Let's chat about it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-37847510840098555552010-06-05T00:00:00.000+00:002010-06-05T00:00:59.574+00:00Stuck with XP for now? Speed it up!There are many things you can do to speed up outdated but still perfectly functional operating systems like Windows XP. A hardware refresh is one option, including the most obvious thing - simply add more <b>RAM</b> (the 'random access memory' or short-term memory that a computer uses to load and run a program, as distinct from the non-volatile memory that you store your data on). Of course you may already have enough RAM or just don't want to spend a lot of money, so what else can you do?<br />
<br />
There are all-in-one utilities like TuneUp<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gtvelocecom-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0026RLEKK&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> that will do this for you, and there are also <b>inbuilt utilities</b> in the operating system that address each function. It's your choice.<br />
<br />
<ol><li><strong>First up, remove software you no longer use </strong>- These may accumulate over time and soak up space. If you aren't ever going to use it again (and have a copy of the installation disk or files somewhere, just in case) simply remove it. Go to <b>Control Panel --> Add/Remove Software</b></li>
<li><b>Clean your system and make some space</b> - Delete unwanted files and old emails you no longer need via <b>Control Panel --> Internet Options -> Delete Files</b> (always look carefully at what's being deleted just in case but most downloads and old cached files can go) <b> </b></li>
<li><b>Get rid of old cookies. </b>These are hidden Internet browser files that may contain helpful setup information for individual web sites, so be careful - zap only the ones you are sure about.<b> Control Panel --> Internet Options --> Settings --> View Files --> </b>Check and <b>delete the cookies you don't need</b></li>
<li><b>Cleanup all other temporary files and empty the recycle bin</b>: go 'start\programs\accessories\system tools\disk cleanup'. That will make some space. Temp files are meant to be, umm, temporary! (Just don't zap things you need.)!<strong> </strong></li>
<li><strong>Defragment your hard drive (the non-volatile data storage) </strong>Hard drives do a good job of writing and rewriting your data but over time things that should be close together and quicker to get to get stored apart. This restores logic to the filing system. Use the XP tool: 'start\programs\accessories\system tools\disk defragmenter'<strong> </strong></li>
<li><strong>Clean your registry</strong>. Not such an easy one and best left for a professional, the experienced or the brave. You can also download a utility to do this. Errors accumulate over time and the registry gets cluttered</li>
<li><b>Backup unused fonts</b>. These collect over time and can become quite massive if you have loaded many programs. Whatever you do keep the ones you need, especially the "XP Fonts". Back unwanted fonts onto a CD or DVD and store them somewhere.</li>
<li>Get rid of any big <b>desktop background graphics files</b>, consider even unchecking the <b>Windows XP theme</b> (ie go back to the 'old style' or classic Windows - it runs faster). Right-click on a blank part of your desktop and click on 'properties'.</li>
<li><b>Uncheck all of the system-hogging effects that look cool but slow you down</b>. Look in Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance tab, click Settings --> Uncheck everything</li>
</ol>Of course there are loads more options but above are some of the simplest things to do in order to make things faster and delay a hardware upgrade.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8167126.post-58639736805372124072010-05-25T03:06:00.002+00:002010-05-25T03:18:57.049+00:00Gadgets - an RF modulator and some of the components needed to feed your computer a TV signal<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtveloce/3302971800/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3302971800_b7dd983d75_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtveloce/3302971800/">Modulator WiFi DTV_0217</a><br />
Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gtveloce/">gtveloce</a></span></div>Here's a pic of an RF modulator<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=gtvelocecom-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001VA4CGQ&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe> sitting on a PC (middle, left). In fact I use the modulator to get an old TV to work with a set-top-box and DVD player. If - like on this TV - you don't even have a composite (or 'yellow video connector') input then you need an RF modulator to send the video signal from the modern output device to ye olde RF connector instead.<br />
<br />
It's not ideal but with some mucking around it does work. You will have to tune the TV to the frequency of whatever you hook up and you may get a distorted picture. Alternatively, upgrade to a newer TV with at least a composite input.<br />
<br />
Also in the pic is a set-top-box on a stick (middle right). Well it's an HD Digital TV tuner with USB connection. With that little device I can use the PC as a TV and Personal Video Recorder (PVR). With a new-fangled HDMI connection we can easily hook the PC to a TV, too, and use it as a monitor. Or (as I did) we can use older-style connections to pump the signal out to the TV. You may however have to use an adapter to bridge between PC 'D-shell' and yellow composite TV connectors.<br />
<br />
Lastly, that's a WiFi USB 'dongle' right up the back.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><center>
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9758539582800074";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel ="";
google_color_border = "FFFFFF";
google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";
google_color_link = "000000";
google_color_url = "336699";
google_color_text = "333333";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
</center></div>gtvelocehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09491349958062401587noreply@blogger.com0