Category Archives: Computers

Intel core series of processors demystified

intel The new 2010 Intel® Core™ i7 processor, Intel® Core™ i5 processor, and Intel® Core™ i3 processor deliver intelligent performance for desktop and laptop PCs. Each core works on two tasks simultaneously, enabled by Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology).

Ideal for graphic and compute-intensive applications, these processors offer IT a sound investment for the business requirements of today and tomorrow. With Intel® Turbo Boost Technology built in, you can increase business productivity and performance while maximizing speed to match workloads. Based on 32nm Intel® microarchitecture, these processors offer the foundation for reliable, responsive, and energy-efficient PCs.

intel core

Difference between Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7

Intel will stop selling Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad in 2010. Core is the new range of Intel processors.

Core i3:
* Entry level processor.
* 2-4 Cores
* 4 Threads
* Hyper-Threading (efficient use of processor resources)
* 3-4 MB Catche
* 32 nm Silicon (less heat and energy)

Core i5:
* Mid range processor.
* 2-4 Cores
* 4 Threads
* Turbo Mode (turn off core if not used)
* Hyper-Threading (efficient use of processor resources)
* 3-8 MB Catche
* 32-45 nm Silicon (less heat and energy)

Core i7:
* High end processor.
* 4 Cores
* 8 Threads
* Turbo Mode (turn off core if not used)
* Hyper-Threading (efficient use of processor resources)
* 4-8 MB Catche
* 32-45 nm Silicon (less heat and energy)

Why would I buy an Apple

apple

Sitting the kitchen of my parents home I was thinking about what to post about and then I drifted towards Apple. Apple that comes in fantabulous designs with state of the art software.

So why would I buy an apple product?

First of all they are awesome in design, got cool looks and have the chick factor.

They sure do attract the audience and make you feel at par with the similarly qualified person.

The apple products have a good flaunt value which I couldn’t have even with an xps m1210 3 years back.

The quality of software in the Apple products is at par with most of the software. They are so intuitive and easy to use. ITs so great that I had to hack my xps to install Leopard on it to run all the Mac software i wanted to.

The battery life of Apple notebooks is way more than the normal notebooks. They run for more than 6 hours at a stretch.

The first and the only phone, the iphone by apple set new industry standards and moved the focus from the voice to data and value added services. And the way it does is so seamless that nothing seems out of the way.

I guess that would be all from me but I would love to hear more from you all. Coming soon a post on reasons why I wont buy an Apple product.

Removing a Boot sector Virus

A boot sector  virus is a virus that places its own codes and commands into a computer’s DOS boot sector or Master Boot Record (MBR). When a boot  sector virus has infected a system, the MBR is usually corrupted and a computer’s boot sequence is changed. Since the MBR is located on the first sector  of a computer’s hard disk, the virus is called a boot sector virus.
Boot  sector viruses can be dangerous and prolific because they are loaded onto a computer every time one starts up. In time, they can spread to other readable disks. Booting problems and start up problems, problems with retrieving data, computer performance instability and the inability to locate hard drives are all issues that may arise due to a boot  sector virus infection.
Fortunately, boot  sector virus removal is easy. Using common antivirus software can remove the virus  quickly and efficiently. However, it is important to find an antivirus software that is capable of removing the virus  completely. Failing to do so can result in a partial removal, which can then lead to a different part of a hard drive being effected. Investing in an antivirus software can also help protect data and files during the removal process.

I would recommend that first you remove the hard drive and connect it to another computer and run a low level format. If that doesn’t help then proceed with the following.

1. Remove any important files and shut down the infected computer. You can not begin to remove the virus if it is in the RAM in your computer.

2. Get the instructions and the utility to flash your BIOS from your manufacturers website.

3. Flash your BIOS with the utility provided by the manufacturer. DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER UNTIL THE UTILITY TELLS YOU THAT YOU CAN. DOING SO BEFORE IT IS FINISHED MAY PERMANENTLY DAMAGE YOUR COMPUTER.

4. Find out which company manufactures your HDD and see if they have a utility that will do a Low-Level format. This part is important because it deletes everything from your hard drive so that no one can get it back, including the virus.

5. Run the formatting utility provided by your HDD manufacturer.

6. Reinstall your Operating System of choice however you want to.

Enjoy 🙂

XPS m1210 7400go Windows 7 64 bit driver issue fix

I had recently upgraded to windows 7 home premium. I had all divers installed other than the Nvidia Geforce go 7400 graphics chip. This particular chip has troubled me since so many years with all the 64 bit versions of windows whether Xp or Vista or 7. I had a beta version of forceware from Nvidia’s website 178.49 which seemed to solve the purpose but had one major issue.

drivererrorop4

After some hours of running normaly it would stop responding and the computer wud freeze take a minute and recover back. This made the whole machine sluggish and I needed to restart again and again. I simply hate restarting my computer. There have been times when it kept running for more than two weeks at a stretch.

To resolve the driver stopped responding issue I googled some and came to know on Nvidia forum that many other also face the same issue on Geforce go 7400 and several others face similar issue with a variety of cards just because of the drivers lacking full support for windows 7 64 bit.

Here is a fix for the Geforce go 7400.

Download the drivers version 196.21 from laptopvideo2go.com

Download both the driver and modified inf file.

Extract the driver to a comfortable location.

Copy the downloaded nv_disp.inf and replace it with the one found in the folder where you extracted the driver .

Move the downloaded nv_disp.inf (176K) file into the 196.21_win7×64 folder to replace the older nv_disp.inf file in that folder. – as suggested by Kate

First uninstall the installed driver

Run the setup.exe and you would be prompted to install or abort as this is not WHQL certified driver.It might happen that the driver takes longer than normal to install. Be patient and let it finish.

Restart when the setup asks you to.

nvidia installed

And you are done. Enjoy 🙂

After installing the new patched driver from laptopvideo2go there has beena significant improvement in the performance and response of my XPS m1210 aka Minimachine. Also the directx version displayed by the driver changed from 10 to 11. This is a must fix for all XPS m1210 owners with windows 7 64 bit.

Windows 7 64 bit demystified

win7 64Windows 7 represents the first viable upgrade from Windows XP for PC users in many ways, especially considering that Vista was largely overlooked due to various problems with compatibility and performance.  For engineering and scientific applications, the combination of Windows 7 (64-bit) and the latest version of LabVIEW and NI Device Drivers make it possible to tap into the potential of 64-bit hardware thanks to native support.
Not every application stands to benefit from the x64 architecture, and it will take time for 64-bit editions of Windows to gain widespread adoption, but the following types of applications are most likely to see performance benefits on Windows 7 x64 Edition, provided that both 64-bit application software and drivers are available:

* Applications that require mathematical precision and floating-point performance
* Applications that involve large, high-performance databases
* Vision acquisition and analysis applications with large amounts of data moving directly into memory at rapid rates

Performance and Virtualization

64-bit versions of operating systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7 are not automatically faster than their 32-bit counterparts. In some cases, they may even perform slower because of the larger pointers as well unrelated OS overhead. Overall, an application’s performance depends on what it is used for and how it is implemented. Emulated applications running within the Windows on Windows (WOW) 64 layer (discussed in more detail later in this article) will not be able to address any more memory than they could on a 32-bit system.
Most 32-bit software will still function because of a Microsoft emulation layer. This emulation layer, known as Windows on Windows 64 or WoW64, enables 32-bit programs to run as though on a 32-bit version of Windows by translating instructions passing in and out of 32-bit applications into 64-bit instructions. Emulated programs act as though they are running on an x86 computer and operate within the 2 GB of virtual memory that a 32-bit version of Windows allocates to every process. However, despite Wow64, 32-bit programs on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 cannot take advantage of the larger 64-bit address spaces or wider 64-bit registers on 64-bit processors.

Potential Benefits of 64-bit

The transition to the 64-bit architecture is overwhelmingly driven by the limitations of the x86 architecture in terms of addressing memory. Applications running on a 64-bit edition of Windows should theoretically experience improved performance because of the larger quantity of available memory, even if the application is running within the WoW64 layer. Much like the advantage offered by increasing physical memory in a 32-bit system, the larger memory space on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 allows more processes to actively reside in the system RAM simultaneously.  It allows allows users to add additional RAM beyond the previous 4 GB limit, up to the amount supported by the mainboard.
This change potentially eliminates or reduces time spent loading and switching between processes, a condition that can lead to “thrashing” when all the processor’s efforts are spent merely loading and switching between threads. To reap the benefits of a 64-bit operating system such as Windows Vista x64 Edition, you should invest in a large amount of RAM (4 GB or more) and a compatible motherboard.
For 64-bit version of Windows, Microsoft also requires a digital signature on all drivers. By requiring new, signed drivers, Microsoft aims to reduce failures and improve stability by shining a spotlight on vendor responsibility for bugs. With 32-bit version of Windows, administrators can install unsigned drivers, but Microsoft continues to discourage their use. All non-legacy National Instruments drivers are digitally signed and available for both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows.
Potential Drawbacks to Windows x64 Edition

Windows XP was available only as a 32-bit operating system for 32-bit processors until 2005, when Microsoft released a 64-bit edition. This version of Windows XP did not see widespread adoption due to a lack of available software and hardware drivers. Vendors were hesitant to invest in a platform that seemed more novel than practical for consumers at the time, which led to compatibility issues with common devices such as sound and graphics cards.  Developers interested in using 64-bit operating systems found the migration path to Vista much smoother due to the WOW emulation layer, which allowed older applications to run.  However, most did not see performance increases due to a lack of applications with native support for 64-bit processors.
Given the increasing number of 64-bit processors, Windows 7 x64 Edition is unlikely to suffer the same lack of support.  A potential drawback stems from the possibility that some hardware vendors may not release Windows Vista/7 x64 Edition-compatible versions of drivers quickly.

Windows 7 x64 Edition represents the first mainstream 64-bit operating system from Microsoft in terms of general availability and support from third-party add-on vendors. Because of this, moving from a 32-bit operating system such as Windows XP to a 64-bit operating system such as Windows 7 x64 Edition merits serious consideration in many cases.
However, the feasibility of successfully making the jump to Windows 7 x64 Edition depends largely on your application and its requirements. For some, Windows 7 x64 Edition offers much needed performance improvement, while for others, it could needlessly complicate applications designed to operate on x86 platforms or even have a negative effect on performance.

Increase Productivity with multi monitor setup

I have always been fascinated with multiple displays and I always wanted to have a multi monitor setup for myself. I firstly became aware of such a concept when I bought Ati Radeon 9200 long time back. Then I realized that I could hook up two monitors to my box… one on the 9200 and the other on the onboard intel one… The 92o0 also had the option to hook up a TV.

Currently on my wish list is the ATI EYE FINITY.

Here I would try to show how I utilize two monitors to increase productivity ans have fun…

I have an XPS 1210, I love to chat, watch movies and documentaries and google around. XPS 1210 being a very small machine has a screen of just 12 inches and thus at times it becomes difficult to watch movies and do other things at the same time. One more thing that i like to do is Google for any thing that I find interesting in a movies or a documnentary and to do that I have to stop the video. So I decided to buy a LCD monitor and extend my work space. I zeroed in on AOC 20′ 2036Sa. It not at all expensive and has great response.

Now what I do is that I have extended my destop on to the larger LCD and watch movies on it and do the rest of the work on my XPS… woking and having fun at the same time…

Following is a guide to setup multi monitor setup.

Windows 7 has some neat little enhancements, one of them being how it lets you handle dual monitors. If you’re adding a second monitor to your Windows 7 home or office PC, which is a very good idea, it’s a breeze to configure.

There are actually two ways you can currently setup multiple monitors in Windows 7, either by using a keyboard shortcut or via the traditional system properties.

I really like the first method since it’s new and is way easier than having to go into the Control Panel or anything else.

Simply press the Windows key and P (Windows + P) to bring up a quick menu of options.

dual monitors windows 7

Pretty neat! You can pick to show only the computer, make the second monitor a duplicate of the first, extend the desktop to the  second monitor or turn off the first monitor and activate the second.

The second way is to right-click on the desktop and choose Screen resolution.

multiple monitors windows 7

Now you’ll see the familiar 1 and 2 to distinguish which monitor is which. There are several options and under Multiple Displays, you can choose from the same options as when you pressed Win + P.

setup multiple monitors windows 7

That’s it! You can also change the orientation of the displays and change the resolution of each display. It’s pretty straight-forward in Windows 7 and a lot easier!

Apart from this if you are extending your desktop then you can chose the location of your second display. That would decide the movement of the mouse. Suppose you keep the second display on right then moving the mouse beyond the right edge takes the cursor to the secreen 2. Similarly u can keep the second screen either in left or right or top or even bottom.

Windows 7 dead battery – False alarm

After facing so many controversies since the launch of Windows 7, now Microsoft is looking into a problem that is causing some Windows 7 users to get a warning that there is a problem with their battery.

battery deadAccording to the company sources, there isn’t any problem in the battery. It comes into the notice that the warning that is reflecting on the PC screen, uses the computer’s basic input output system (BIOS) to try to determine whether a battery needs replacement. For some reason, the signals are getting crossed and some users are getting the message even when they should not, reports CNET.

Talking to CNET, Microsoft Official said, “We are working with our partners to determine the root cause and will update the forum with information and guidance as it becomes available.”

The company hasn’t given any specific timetable to fix it, but requested users to have faith and keep using Windows7.

Windows xp password recovery with pen drive

http://img.jamespot.com/userdata/spot/thumb/cb/32/11382/1242116706.pngA lot of methods are available to recover or reset the Windows password. The famous Ophcrack is used for recovering the password. Even i have posted about using Ophcrack. So I thought why to recover a lost password, instead why cant we simply reset or delete the password using a 3 MB file open source program.  That is what this post is about. I have not found any other method simpler than this one, it resets your password in the blink of an eye.

The method uses an open source program called Offline NT Password & Registry Editor. We can use a USB Disk Drive (Pen Drive) or burn a bootable CD for this method.

Follow the Steps below:

Step 1: Download the cd080802.zip file from the link below and extract it. It contains an ISO file.

Size: 3.15 MB

Download

Step 2: Burn the ISO file to a CD. If you are using a USB drive, then mount the cd080802.iso file to a virtual drive. Open the Virtual Drive and Copy all the contents to your USB disk. If any error comes while copying just skip the file. Now to make the USB Drive Bootable open a Command Prompt(Press Start + R, Type cmd and enter) and type the following commands:

Sl. No.

Command:

Action:

1

j:

Enter

2

syslinux.exe –ma j:

Enter

Continue reading….

Apple’s Innovations – will it ever end?

Steve Jobs has been around since the dawn of the computer industry, and, as he’ll admit, he’s had more than his share of great moments. Here are a few of Apple’s greatest product introductions, and a few more we suspect Jobs may spring on us yet.

Macintosh

Year: 1984

Did the Apple Macintosh revolutionize the computer industry when it was introduced by Jobs in 1984? At the very least, it gave the folks at Microsoft a few good ideas. While the Macintosh never dominated the computer industry, it became the first mass-market computer to sport the point-and-click interface Windows has since made ubiquitous. Apple fans would argue that no one, to this day, does it better. And while credit for the Mac should be shared by Jobs and his team of engineers, when it came time to introduce the Mac, it was all Steve.

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iMac

Year: 1998

Just as Jobs united networking and the computer at NeXT for engineers and scientists, with the iMac, introduced in 1998, he fused the two into a single product that the average consumer could afford. While the sleek machines never dominated the market, they revived Apple’s fortunes and pointed the way toward a future where personal computers would be less about computing and more about communicating–via e-mail and the Web.

iPod

Year: 2001

To say Jobs invented digital music players gives him too much credit. And not nearly enough. Instead, Jobs did something more important: He took a product category that was on the fringe and connected it with the engineering and design know-how to make it mainstream. Apple’s iPod digital music players are now ubiquitous, and Jobs has built a thriving media business around the beautifully designed devices.

iPod Nano

Year: 2005

The introduction of the original iPod Nano came with a classic piece of showmanship: To unveil the device, Jobs reached deep into the coin pocket of his blue jeans to surprise the audience with Apple’s first flash-memory-based digital music player.

iPhone

Year: 2007

Even a year after its unveiling, Apple’s touch-sensitive, portable entertainment and communications devices seem more like something from the future than anything built in the here and now. But beneath the surface, there’s little new–after all, it’s just a Web-friendly phone and media player. The ability to wrap it all in a beautiful, engaging interface is what sets it apart–and makes it fundamentally Jobsian.

MacBook Air

Year: 2008

The MacBook Air may just be a niche product, but the introduction of the slimmed-down notebook computer was unforgettable. Jobs simply reached into an interoffice envelope and slid the thing out.

3G iPhone

Year: 2008

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/07/09/iphone_narrowweb__300x358,2.jpgThe original iPhone was introduced in the United States on June 29, 2007 before being marketed worldwide.
Released July 11, 2008, the iPhone 3G supports faster 3G data speeds and assisted GPS.

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Safari Tablet

Year: 2008

Apple has hinted that the iPod touch won’t be the only device that will get a version of the iPhone’s touch-sensitive interface. One product many have long speculated about: a thin, lightweight Web tablet with a touch interface perfect for browsing the Internet or viewing a classic episode of The Sopranos. Odds: 2 to 1 this doesn’t roll out.

Television

Year: By 2012

While Forrester Research has pooh-poohed the idea, others, such as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, think Steve Jobs’ drive to master media will eventually bring him to design his own boob tube. If Apple tackles television, the capabilities of today’s Apple TV, which pours content from Apple’s iTunes online music store onto televisions screens, would be just the start. Odds that this will come to market: even money.

Clock Radio

Year: By 2013

In a report earlier this month, the tech prognosticators gamely made predictions about future Apple products. One quirky idea: an Apple clock radio. It’s a seemingly odd suggestion, but it also fits in with Apple’s pattern: moving the music, movies and videos to where its audience is. If Forrester Research is right, the next place Jobs plans to invade could be your dreams. Odds this will come to market: 5 to 1 against.

Picture Frame

Year: By 2013

Here’s another gutsy suggestion from Forrester Research. At first glance, it doesn’t jibe– after all, there are plenty of cheap digital picture frames out there already. But just as Apple took the dowdy MP3 player and turned it into a gotta-have-it lifestyle accessory, Apple’s deft touch with user interfaces and industrial design could help it make digital picture frames a hit, not to mention a no-brainer accessory to Apple’s suite of movie- and image-editing tools. Odds Apple will make digital picture frames: 2 to 1 against.

Remote Control

Year: By 2013

For a control freak like Jobs, a remote control might just be impossible to resist. Or so speculate the prognosticators at Forrester Research. Yet a touch-sensitive remote control could put Apple at the center of all your home gadgets, giving it an edge when it tries to sell anything from televisions to music systems. Odds for an Apple remote control: 3 to 1 against.

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Free Starbucks Coffee

Year: 2010

This will probably never happen (but never say never with Apple). Still, something with Starbucks is likely in the works. Last year, Apple announced a deal with Starbucks giving iPhone users the ability to download music in the company’s coffee shops wirelessly with the touch of a button. And Apple has applied for a patent that might cover much closer interaction with real-world stores, such as the ability to order that latte outside the store and pick it up at the counter–no waiting (see “Apple’s Piping-Hot Innovation”). Odds that Apple will give away Starbucks coffee: 100 to 1 against.