Random Fix - Computer Help

UPDATE: I’M A FREAKING ‘TARD!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Friday I thought I had updated my A8N32’s BIOS to the newest available, 1303, but for some odd reason I downloaded the 12xx version and flashed it to that.  Sure enough, after troubleshooting all weekend,  and all of today, ready to give up and admit defeat, I go to attempt to downgrade the BIOS thinking I had the 1303 installed but what do I see?  I see that my current BIOS is the 12xx version and the one I plan to supposedly downgrade to is the same 12xx.  To make a long story short, I did not flash to the newest 1303.  After flashing to 1303 the Natural 4000 works fine in Memtest.  I also do not have to disable APM anymore.  I can boot into Windows with no problems whatsoever.  Take that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe and the Microsoft Natural 4000 keyboard problem.

My motherboard and PSU failed due to an earthquake so I went out and bought a new mobo, CPU and PSU.  I bought the ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe and an Athlon 4400+ 89w X2 CPU and a Seasonic M12-700W PSU.

I put everything together and once experienced a random lock up.  The last time this happened it was due to a bad stick of memory.  I threw in Memtest and fired her up.  I noticed I could not change the settings to specify which test I wanted to perform using my Natural 4000.  After posting on a few message boards and newsgroups, I finally received a reply from someone on the official ASUS.com forum.  He said:

“Hi , I had the same problem with same keyboard this is what i did :- disable legacy usb disconnect your keyboard and connect a ps/2 then you can access memtest options ,when you installed windows you should have disabled the usb until  os was installed it caused me loads of problems with the acpi now i can use my keyboard in windows with or without legacy usb and it does not crash my system anymore”

So it’s safe to assume that this keyboard and motherboard combo doesn’t like to play nice unfortunately.  Just thought I’d post this just in case someone else in the future decides to try and fix this problem and can’t seem to fix it.

I knew I was not the only one who thought that the Microsoft Natural 4000 keyboard keys were very hard to press down when trying to type.  Like I mentioned on this blog several times, I’ve owned this keyboard probably around four times total.  Each time I felt that the keys were just way too hard to type with and returned it.  I stuck with it on the fourth time thinking that the keys would eventually turn soft due to typing and typing and typing.  I was wrong.
However, like I said, I’m not the only one to mention this.  There are a few reviews over at Amazon.com which state the same exact thing that I’ve been saying all along.

“The keyboard’s design is beautiful; it’s lightweight, the key locations are well thought-out, and the built-in wrist rest is nicely positioned and comfortable. However, the keys themselves are much too firm! Using this keyboard actually made my wrists hurt *more*. I had to switch back to my cheap $10 standard white keyboard.”

“bought this keyboard because I have arthritis in my fingers and carpal tunnel in my wrists. I’ve been using an Adesso for years, because it used to be the only affordable ergonomic keyboard that worked with my Mac. But the Adesso was falling apart, and I decided it was time to upgrade. I did a lot of research,and based on all the customer reviews, as well as the terrific editor’s review this model got on cnet.com, I decided to go with the MS Natural Ergo 4000. It arrived in a few days (I love Amazon’s free shipping!), and was easy to set up with my iMac. I was very excited, until…

First, the lack of a USP port for my mouse was an unpleasant surprise (are Mac users the only ones who need to plug in their mice?). The real shock, though, was that the keys were too hard to press. All the keys require more pressure than I am used (or able) to apply, and the space bar is virtually impossible to push with just one thumb. After just a few minutes of use, my fingers were in PAIN! I packed it up to return to Amazon within 10 minutes of receiving it. This may be a great ergonomic keyboard for the general population, but don’t buy it if you actually *need* to use an ergonomic keyboard!!!”

“I’ve had a pretty serious case of RSI for quite some time now and have tried many keyboards. for the last 2 years, i’ve been using the microsoft natural keyboard and can definitely tell that it’s much better on my wrists than an ordinary flat keyboard. unfortunately, my natural keyboard is starting to act funny, so i bought the natural ergo keyboard 4000. i had high hopes because it looks nice, i like the reverse tilt (i often roll up a towel and put it under the front of my natural keyboard to create the same effect), and it seems to have some nice feature.

unfortunately, i’m going to return it to the store primarily because the keys are just too hard to push — especially the spacebar. it’s actually hard enough on my hands that as i started to type this review, i decided to stop, unplug the ergo 4000, and use the natural keyboard instead. maybe the keys will loosen up with time, but i can’t afford to aggrevate my RSI in the process.”

Those are just a few reviews.  Now I don’t understand how the majority of the reviews can state that the keys are so easy to press.  They must be smoking crack or are very strong and have been slamming the crap out of their keys on their previous keyboards.  I don’t understand how the hard keys are just a minority out of all of the reviews I’ve read.
If only the keys were just a tad bit softer or if there was a way to make them softer, this keyboard would be the best ergonomic keyboard available.  I hope Microsoft reads this or sees this and updates the keyboard in the future.

For some odd reason or another, the people who I’ve spoke with who have the IntelliPoint 6.0 software installed cannot re-create the bug I am experiencing.  I know it’s a bug as I have a unit here that has a fresh install of Windows XP Pro with SP2 and I am able to re-create it without any problems.

Here is the easiest way I can explain how to re-create the bug.

Make sure you have IntelliPoint 6.0 installed and running.  You can check by checking task manager for ipoint.exe.  Next, have Excel and Outlook Express open.  It would help if you have an Excel document that has stuff in it already including colors and all that jazz.  The issue with Outlook Express will work better if you have a few items going down the side bar.  I have attached pictures for reference of where to keep an eye out.

Now have either of the two programs opened and maximized.  Now, switch from Outlook Express or any other program you may have open and then go to Excel.  Make sure Excel is maximized and you’re looking at this portion of the screen:

Now count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.  At or around 7 or possibly 8, you should see the side bar blink and refresh.  If you did not see it, try it again by switching to another program momentarily and then switching back to Excel and keep an eye on that area again.  You WILL see it.

Seasonic has released their long awaited modular power supplies in 500, 600 and 700 increments, respectively.  Those things are beasts.  I’ve seen one review but it was taken down; however scouring many forums, I’ve seen nothing to indicate that these are less than stellar power supplies.  These things are I believe direct replacements for the S12 line, the only difference mainly being efficiency as well as the cables being modular.

I hear if you have a local Frys in your town to check them out first as they have the 700W PSU for a little under $200.  Newegg is selling the 700 version for $209.99 as of 10/3/06.

IIRC, the new Corsair power supplies which are modular are actually re-badge Seasonic PSUs.  If I happen to come across a review or two I’ll definitely post it here.