Published at April 30, 2007
in Random.
I have an EMachine W2060 desktop that displays these symptoms:
- Unit powers on
- Unit does not POST
- No video display on monitor
Upon doing some research, one of the very first results when searching for “W2060 motherboard” is from a forum which a few people say that this has happened to them and that the motherboard needed to be replaced.
In my particular case, I changed out everything, memory, processor, power supply, and was still unable to get it to POST. I do believe this particular unit has a bad motherboard. In the case where you need to purchase another motherboard, you can find one here: http://parts.emachines.com/emachines/moreinfo.asp?product_id=68990.
Published at April 29, 2007
in Random.
Those guys over at Anandtech have reviewed the new Cooler Master Gemini II heat sink which uses TWO 120mm fans! This thing looks like a beast but does it stack up to its competitors such as the Tuniq 120 or the Thermalright 120 Ultra? Read on to find out.
Published at April 27, 2007
in Random.
It looks like Engadget has gotten their hands on a new Xbox360 Elite. I’m certain this bad boy will be sold out for a while. So why don’t you head on over to Endgadget and see what you can expect when or should I say if you find a new Xbox360 Elite.
Published at April 26, 2007
in Security.
Every time I install Ad-Aware on a client’s computer I notice during the update portion it says that they are currently beta testing a new version of Ad-Aware. Sure enough, it looks like they have a July launch date.
If you don’t know what Ad-Aware is, it is an antispyware program that I believe inspired many others to join the antispyware game. I recall many years ago of having a computer that had multiple pop ups and viruses. I was referred by a tech forum to download and install Ad-Aware. At that time, when spyware was in its infancy stages, I was able to use Ad-Aware and Ad-Aware ONLY and this took care of the entire spyware problem. As we all know, spyware creators have become much more evil and have learned many ways to bypass Ad-Aware’s once effective cleaning methods. Then came along Spybot Search and Destroy and then the rest is history. Many others came out and brought newer and stronger packages to the front lines of this huge and nasty battle [Editor's note, I really like Spy Sweeper].
Apparently the new version of Ad-Aware is updated and supposedly packs a nice punch. I hope so, as their once great antispyware software is now relegated to being one of the most recognized but probably the least effective. I’m for anything that battles spyware though, that’s for sure.
Published at April 23, 2007
in Random.
You know, I saw this coming a mile away. With all the issues that have been popping up regarding Windows Vista, it was bound to happen. Either this or there would many, many, pissed off people. I’m being very honest here, at work I have had nothing but complaints and almost every single person who has talked to me about Vista has said they’d much prefer to have XP on their computer. They always end up asking me, “How can I get XP on here.” I explain that they’re going to have to go out and search high and low for XP since most retailers no longer stock the operating system.
This is great for consumers but it must be a huge blow to Microsoft. It’s too bad, in my honest opinion; Microsoft rushed the introduction of their new OS, Vista.
Published at April 21, 2007
in Random.
For those of you who visit tons of sites every day, you may want to give Google Reader a try. Google Reader is a web-based aggregator which reads RSS feeds.
I was introduced to a few different web-based aggregators and Google Reader was the best out of all of them. Google Reader’s interface is simple, it is easy to use as far as configuring it to your needs as well as adding and removing feeds.
I tried NetVibes which is another web-based news/RSS aggregator but it was too flashy for my tastes.
With Google Reader I have ALL of the sites I visit on a daily basis in one single location where I can be told if there has been any updates to the site with a simple click of a refresh button.
If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a try, Google Reader will change the way you browse the web and I can almost guarantee will make you much more productive.
Published at April 20, 2007
in Random.
This is really my first experience with trying to get it installed as well as configured. I downloaded and burnt the Ubuntu ISO image. I installed it on a spare computer I have at home. I was following this guide but was unsuccessful. Just a FYI you have to somewhat know what you’re doing if you plan on actually going through with that entire guide (I thought it was for new people k3k3k3).
I’m a complete newbie so I had no idea what to do in regards to editing the file with the right network configuration settings as well as actually saving the config file. Someone told me, “Why didn’t you use the GUI?” I guess I wanted to be hardcore and try it the way most geeks/nerds/Linux users do, through the command line.
I finally figured out that the commands I was to use had to do with “vi.” In order to type text into the config file I had to type “I.” Once I was done, I hit ESC. I then type : followed immediately by wq to exit and save the file.
I learned QUITE a lot tonight and plan on messing with it more. It is quite confusing but with a little research I should be able to get it going.
If you’re interested in downloading and playing with Ubuntu, check out Ubuntu’s website.
I have finally fixed the MX7515 problem. The culprit was the processor. I finally got my hands on a desktop socket 754 CPU and installed it. Lo and behold, I powered it on and it turned on. I turned it off and connected an external monitor and turned it back on – we have LIFT OFF.
So, in the case that you ever come across or have yourself a Gateway/Emachine notebook that exhibits: Turn computer on, blue indicator light stays on for five seconds, blue light turns off and you can hear the hard drive turning off, and then blue light turns on one more time except no video, you probably have yourself a bad CPU.
Published at April 19, 2007
in Random.
If you want to find out just what is different between the original Xbox 360 and the new 360 Elite, look no further. Externally, a nice black paint job and some minor other touches but on the inside, it’s not quite the same.
Published at April 19, 2007
in Random.
With Hitachi releasing the first 1000GB or 1TB hard drive, I sit here pondering why hasn’t there been any competition in the extreme performance/gaming market with the Western Digital Raptor? Since 2003 Western Digital has been the only company to market a 10,000RPM hard drive to the enthusiast crowd. Well actually it was first introduced to the high-end server market but eventually found its way into the high-end desktop/gaming community. Why would anyone want a 10kRPM hard drive in the first place? Well, most home user hard drives spin at 7200RPM. Those 2800 extra RPMs add quite a bit of kick to a computer. That 2800 RPMs mean faster start up times, faster loading of game maps and textures.
Now why aren’t other hard drive manufacturers like Seagate or Hitachi breaking into this particular niche? My only guess is that they believe that it is just not profitable. Well duh McFly, I’m sure some of you have just slapped your foreheads thinking the same thing. However, from an enthusiasts view, I think and feel more selection is better for all of us, don’t you think? I can wish and hope that Seagate or Hitachi eventually breaks into this market.