Computer 2000 Tech product reviews

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2009-02-23T16:35:00.001-08:00

2009-02-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

Sony Vaio Lifestyle PC

2009-01-10T13:06:00.001-08:00

We managed to be among the very first to snag a coveted Sony Vaio Lifestyle PC, so here are a couple of in-the-wild photos, plus some first hands-on impressions.

Despite the small overall size, we found the keyboard fairly easy to use. At first, the lack of a touchpad worried us, but the trackpoint was fast and responsive, and after 15 minutes or so, we got fairly used to navigating with it--a very light tap on the pointing stick will give you a left mouse click. We're still not entirely sold, however, and still think a touchpad is better for many tasks.

The 1,600x768 screen has a higher resolution than many 15-inch laptops. Some initial attempts at online video streaming played fine, and the built-in Verizon-powered mobile broadband worked as advertised.

Even with Vista as the operating system, the Vaio seemed to run about as well as any Intel Atom system with XP we've used (2GB of RAM and an SSD hard drive help). With Windows 7, purportedly excellent for Netbooks, it would probably fly (relatively speaking).

It's hard to convey just how small this thing actually is. In the photos below, you'll see it positively dwarfed by an HP Mini 1000.

Stay tuned for a hands-on video, as well as benchmark testing and a full review.

Tags: CES 2009, laptops, netbooks, Sony Vaio, Lifestyle PC

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HP e-PC C 766 MHz

2009-01-06T11:19:00.001-08:00

The e-PC is part of the HP professional line and therefore offers the same benefits in terms of ease of deployment, management, and support. With the e-PC, HP has re-invented the desktop PC as a smaller, simpler and more reliable device to reduce the Total Cost of Ownership and improve user comfort. HP has

Sell Price: $900.00

designed the e-PC using new technology. Over the years, new technology has been integrated into PCs while retaining some of the older technology. With the addition of improved processor performance and more powerful hard disk drives, it is obvious that the PC had to evolve to take these changes into account. Technology is not the only thing that has changed - the way people are using their PCs has also evolved. They want more simplicity, more reliability and better user comfort so that they stop worrying about their PCs and just use them. Reducing the Total Cost of Ownership is certainly the main incentive behind the need to change the design of PCs. The price you pay for a PC only represents a small portion of the time and money you will spend on it during its lifetime.
HP took these needs into consideration when it designed the e-PC. Its solid performance will meet the needs of most users, and because it runs all types of operating systems, it will fit seamlessly into your existing IT infrastructure. The external power supply and optimized cooling make it a very quiet system, giving end-users more comfort. The HP e-PC is manufactured with the same quality standards as other HP PCs, but its design brings more reliability. This improved reliability directly translates into cost savings for the customer in terms of the support costs. While the benefit of a traditional PC is its expandability, one benefit of the e-PC is its "sealed box" concept. This is a real advantage for companies that want to reduce the cost of PCs through standardization. IT departments can control the PCs they deploy to make sure that no unauthorized hardware changes are made. Because of its simplicity and innovative design, the HP e-PC is much smaller than a traditional PC. Its versatility means it fits almost anywhere - you can place it vertically, horizontally, integrated with an LCD monitor, or even rack it in the optional mounting brackets.

Product Description: HP e-PC C 766 MHz
Type: Personal computer
Form Factor: Tower
Dimensions: (WxDxH) 3.5 in x 10.7 in x 9.4 in
Weight: 7.7 lbs
Localization: French / Canada
Processor: 1 x Intel Celeron 766 MHz
Cache Memory: 128 KB (installed) / 128 KB (max) - L2 cache - Advanced Transfer Cache
RAM: 128 MB (installed) / 256 MB (max) - SDRAM
Storage: Controller IDE ( ATA-66 ) - PCI
Hard Drive: 1 x 10 GB - standard - ATA-66
Hard Drive: (2nd) - none.
Optical Storage: CD-ROM
Monitor: None.
Graphics Controller: AGP
Audio Output: Sound card - PCI - stereo - 20-bit
Networking: Network adapter - PCI - Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
Power: AC 110/220 V ± 10% ( 50/60 Hz )
OS Provided: Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
Manufacturer: Warranty 3 years warranty

Tags: Desktop

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HP ScanJet G3010 Photo Scanner - flatbed scanner

2008-11-20T11:52:00.001-08:00

HP ScanJet G3010 Photo Scanner - flatbed scanner

Manufacturer: HP

Part Number: L1985A

Specifications: Type: Flatbed scanner - Desktop; Optical Resolution: 4800 dpi x 9600 dpi; Scanner interface type: Hi-Speed USB.

Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
Manufacturer Part Number: L1985A#B1G
Manufacturer Website Address: www.hp.com
Brand Name: HP

Scanjet G3010 photo scanner offers high-definition photo, slide and negative scanning for a variety of projects. Automatically remove red-eye and enhance details. True-to-life photo scanning with 4800 x 9600 dpi with 48-bit color. Preserve and restore your memories. Easily convert 35mm slides and negatives into digital files you can print, share or save. Remove dust and scratches from photos, slides, and negatives. Preview scans in as little as 10 seconds. Photo scanner features four shortcut buttons, slide and negative scanning. Edit text from scanned documents like magazine articles and letters with the included software. Quickly make PDFs via one-touch button. E-mail photos without attaching large files with the included HP Photosmart software. Transfer scans to your computer via Hi-Speed USB 2.0. Fit books and other large items under the adjustable lid.

Price range: $94.50 - $241.99

Tags: Photo Scanner, flatbed scanner

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Optiquest Q19wb 19" Wide (1440 x 900, 700:1, 5ms)

2008-10-19T00:23:00.001-07:00

Description: The Optiquest Q19wb 19" widescreen LCD integrates high brightness and contrast ratios with super-fast video response. Enhance your productivity with this widescreen display that lets you work in two applications or documents side-by-side. Enjoy the crystal-clear, blur-free video and graphics delivered by broadcast-quality, 5ms video response. Built-in speakers deliver rich, stereo sound. The integrated power supply and VESA wall-mount compliance reduce lutter and free up valuable desktop real estate. The OSD lock ensures your screen settings are secure and the Kensington security port provides theft deterrence. Furnish your workplace in style with the budget-friendly, feature-rich Q19wb.

Specifications

Optimum Resolution: 1440x900

Contrast Ratio: 700:1 (typ)

Viewing Angle: 160° horizontal, 160° vertical (CR>10:1)

Response Time: 5ms (typ)

Brightness: 300 cd/m2 (typ)

Speakers: 2x1-watt

Video: RGB analog (75 ohms, 0.7 Vp-p)

Sync: H/V separated (TTL)

Frequency: Fh: 31~81kHz, Fv: 50~75Hz

Input Signal: 15-pin mini D-sub

Package Contents: LCD display, power cable, video cable, audio cable, Quick Start Guide, Wizard CD-ROM

Warranty: One-year limited warranty on parts and backlight
Price: 199.99
Tags: Widescreen LCD

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HP a6528p, Desktop PC is Powered by Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200

2008-10-18T16:00:00.001-07:00

HP a6528p refurbished desktop PC is best for Managing, editing, creating, and storing content and photos Personal finance and productivity software

Read more

Specifications:

Model Number: HP a6528P Refurbished

CPU: Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200, 2.2GHz

Memory: 3GB PC2-6400 DDR2 SDRAM

Video: Integrated Graphics

Hard Drive: 500GB, SATA, 7200rpm

Optical Drive: DVDRW DL RAM Drive

Network: 10/100/1000 ethernet connection

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit

Warranty: 90 day limited warranty

Tags: Desktop PC

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Epson announces three new sub-$100 printers

2008-09-12T10:41:00.001-07:00

Color lasers, black and white multifunctions, color inkjets, compact photo printers--with a handful of options available to shoppers, the all-in-one (AIO) color inkjet printer is arguably the most functional. The ability to perform multiple functions within the same machine is a useful and convenient feature for the home-office entrepreneur, poor college student, or the everyday home user. Prices for these high-performance machines are affordable across the board. Today, Epson introduced three new AIO printers under $100. Let's take a closer look at the new offerings:

Epson Stylus NX100

Printer, scanner, and fax machine

Two ink-cartridge bays with four total colors

Uses DURABrite Ultra Ink for smudge, fade, water and highlighter resistance

One-touch color copying

Maximum 5760 x 1440 dpi print resolution

$69.99

Epson Stylus NX200
- Printer, scanner, and fax machine
- Prints up to 32 pages per minute (reportedly)
- Built-in memory-card slots and PictBridge port
- 48-bit color, 1200 x 2400 dpi scanning
- Auto-Photo Correction preloaded into driver
- $79.99
  
  Epson Stylus NX300
  - Printer, scanner, and fax machine
  - 30 page auto-document feeder (ADF)
  - Enlarge images up to 400 percent
  - Optical Character Recognition software included with scanner
  - Prints up to 31 pages per minute of black text
  - $89.99
    
    All three printers in the NX series are available for purchase now on Epson's Web site. Check back for in-depth reviews coming soon.
    
    Tags: Printers

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HP MediaSmart Server

2008-08-05T12:15:00.001-07:00

Setting up the MediaSmart Server is simple if time consuming. In the box, you'll find just a few pieces: The server itself, which is disarmingly small and about the size of a six-pack of coke, a power cable for the server, an Ethernet cable, some documentation, and three setup DVDs and CDs. The server itself is a thing of beauty and worth discussing briefly: Aside from being almost comically small, it features an elegant swing out door on the front, providing easy access to its four internal drive bays. Depending on the MediaSmart configuration you purchased, two or three of these bays will be open for expansion, and you can actually hot-swap new SATA drives into the device. Yes, you can do so while it's running. Tres elegance.

To get going, you just connect the server to your home network via the Ethernet cable--as with other WHS devices, the HP must be connected to the network via wired, not wireless, networking--plug in the power cable and connect it to the wall jack, and turn on the device. After about a minute, the server will be up and running normally, and you can proceed with the setup procedure. Note that there are a number of blue and red status lights on the device; in normal operation these will all be colored blue, but you might see a red light on first boot or when there's a problem. These are visual additions to the software-based notifications WHS offers.

Because the server doesn't include a monitor port, you can't actually sit in front of itand configure things. This is by design, as WHS can be set up and configured remotely from one of the 32-bit Windows XP or Windows Vista-based PCs on your home network (x64 support is coming from Microsoft in the first half of 2008). To continue setting up the server, then, you'll need to insert the Software Installation Disc CD into one of the PCs attached to your home network (wired or wireless) and run the Setup application that should appear automatically. Note that you will need administrative privileges to run this application, though you can run as a standard user after that and still have WHS functionality.

HP's custom installation program walks you through the process of setting up and configuring the server from a client PC. It will install the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 if not already present and then an HP Update. Then, Microsoft's standard Windows Home Server Connector Setup Wizard begins. This wizard installs some new services on the PC, looks for and finds your home server, and then proceeds so you can configure the server for the first time.

During this process, you provide a network friendly name for the server (HOME-SERVER or whatever), create a strong password and password hint, and configure automatic updates, the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP), and Windows Error Reporting. (I recommend enabling all of these.) Then, the wizard will download and install any applicable updates from Microsoft Update. Once that completes, you can click the prominent Start button, logon, and access the management console for the first time.

If you're familiar with the WHS management console, you'll quickly see that HP has made a number of improvements to the stock interface. We'll discuss the new software features HP added below, but the most important new functionality appears up front and center, the first time you use the console, and it dramatically changes how you initially configure the server.

In a stock WHS install, you actually need to follow a fairly convoluted path to fully configure the server and enable all of its features. This requires some in-depth knowledge about how the server works and where features can be found. For example, while Microsoft provides prominent tabs for Computers & Backup, User Accounts, Shared Folders, and Server Storage, most of which should be fairly obvious, you'll need to locate the Remote Access section of the busy Windows Home Server Settings dialog in order to enable and configure two of WHS' coolest features, remote access and Web site connectivity.

HP removes the randomness of this interface by overlaying a Setup Assistant over the console the first time you run it, and this Assistant stays in place until you manually turn it off or complete the six tasks you need to perform in order to completely set up and configure the server. Sure, it's a little time-consuming, but you only need to do it once, and after you've completed the steps, you can be sure that you are completely taking advantage of everything the MediaSmart offers. What a great idea.

The six tasks include, in order:

Configure HP's automatic updates. In addition to the Automatic Updates service provided by Microsoft, HP offers its own Software Update service that provides MediaSmart-specific updates. This can be configured to automatically download and install updates (recommended), or automatically download but not install updates until you're notified. Or, you can disable the feature entirely.

Create user accounts. While it's possible to backup the PCs on your network with configuring user accounts, this feature is necessary to grant access rights to shared folders on the server. These user accounts can map to user accounts on your PCs or not, your choice, though obviously you'll have an easier time accessing WHS shares if the PC you're using is logged on with an account that exists on the server as well.

Configure remote access. Hidden in the default WHS UI, this is one of the coolest WHS features. There are three pieces here. The first is Web site connectivity, which allows you to hit your WHS resources via a Web interface on your home network (or, with remote access configured, via the Internet.) The second is router configuration, which, as noted in my WHS review, can be somewhat daunting. Assuming you have a fairly modern UPnP-compatible router, WHS should be able to automatically configure it for remote access. Otherwise, expect some pain. The third piece is your domain name: Microsoft is offering free something.homeserver.com Web addresses to all WHS users. Or you can go the HP route and configure your domain name through TZO.com instead. This will give you a something.hpshare.net or an even easier something.com type domain name (though you'll have to purchase or own your own domain already, in the latter case).

You can also configure whether your home server Web page defaults to Microsoft's version or HP's. Its sort of a toss-up about which is "better," but both are attractive and usable.

Setup HP Photo Webshare. Here, you configure one of HP's unique software add-ons for Windows Home Server. I will discuss this feature in the next section.

Enable media sharing. WHS is a standard MediaConnect client, so in addition to file shares, you can also opt to share digital photos, music, and videos stored on the server with other users running Windows Media Player on XP- and Vista-based PCs, or other compatible devices, such as the Xbox 360. Media sharing is disabled in WHS by default for some reason.

Read the user's guide. In the last step, HP recommends checking out its printed user's guide, which at almost 200 pages in length is surprisingly thorough.

And that's it. After completing these six tasks, Setup is complete and you can close the Assistant. It's available later via an Assistant link in the right side of the console UI, so if you choose to finish some of these tasks later you can find the Assistant later easily. That said, I recommend trying to complete all six tasks in the first sitting if you can.

New software features

In addition to its thoughtfully designed Setup Assistant, HP adds several major new software features to WHS in the MediaSmart Server. We'll examine those features here.

MediaSmart Server console

HP adds a MediaSmart tab to the WHS management console that provides a handy front-end to HP-specific features like HP MediaSmart software updates, Photo WebShare (see below), and iTunes Server (see below), as well as the brightness of the lights on the front of the device. That means you can completely dim the lights or crank them up, depending on your needs. Neat.

HP Photo WebShare

HP Photo WebShare is a custom WHS add-on that provides a way to publish photos to your WHS Web site so that you can share them with others securely. This is an interesting option for people who'd like to share family photos with others close to them but not do so out on the public Web where anyone could look in. The service works in tandem with the Web access functionality provided by WHS and incurs no fee above the cost of a domain name if you go through route. (Remember that something.hpshare.net and something.homeserver.com addresses are available to MediaSmart users for free.) It is easily the richest feature HP has added to WHS.

To use Photo WebShare, you need to enable remote access and configure at least one WHS user as a WebShare Manager; you accomplish the latter through the Photo WebShare settings link in the MediaSmart Server console.

What's unique about Photo WebShare is that in addition to providing per-user and visitor access to specific photo collections over the Web, you can configure users and visitors with specific upload limits and notifications, so that they can be alerted when new content is available. Furthermore, the HP Photo WebShare page can be configured as your default WHS home page if you like. I could see this being a popular option.

iTunes Server

This is easily the most shocking feature in HP's MediaSmart Server, and I mean that in an entirely positive way. While a stock WHS server can offer MediaConnect-based sharing that works well with Microsoft-oriented software and devices, it does nothing to help the millions of consumers who use Apple's popular iTunes software instead. This is where HP steps in: Via a WHS add-on, the company provides a nearly-complete iTunes solution that copies the iTunes libraries and playlists from any connected PCs to the server and then provides that content via iTunes' streaming-based sharing functionality.

This feature is configured on a PC-by-PC basis using the HP Control Center that's described below. There are also separate server settings for determining how the shared iTunes library looks to other iTunes clients on the network. Basically, you can enable or disable the feature from the PC, and determine how often the iTunes library is polled for new content. Then, on the server, you can specify a share name (which will appear in all iTunes instances around your house), and, optionally, a password.

The big question about iTunes Server, of course, is whether it works with protected iTunes content, that is, songs and videos purchased from the iTunes Store. It does not. But that's more a limitation of Apple's DRM scheme than it is HP's software.

HP Control Center

While the stock WHS client experience involves a single tray icon with links to activate the WHS management console, backup the PC, and access the shared folders on the server, HP takes this one step further, again, this time with the HP Control Center. This client-based application uses a single window with three tabs. In the default view, MediaSmart, you'll see links for Photo Webshare (for connecting to your Web-based photo sharing site), Server (for accessing the server on the home network; i.e. at \\home-server or whatever), Photos, Music, and Videos (the latter three of which all connect to the appropriate shared folders on the server via Windows Explorer).

The second tab, Tools, provides three links: Home Server Console, for accessing the stock WHS management console; Backup Now, to trigger a manual backup of the PC you're currently using; and Settings for iTunes, to configure whether your iTunes library is synced with the server and, if so, how frequently.

The third tab, Help & Support, provides access to the HP MediaSmart Server user's guide (in Windows Help format), online support, and the HP Home & Home Office online store, in case you need any accessories.

Pricing and availability

The HP MediaSmart Server is available now for preorder in the US and will begin shipping to customers around the end of November. HP expects some online and brick and mortar retailers to stock the server before the end of 2007, but notes that many will in fact wait for a bigger consumer push in January.

There are two versions of the MediaSmart Server, one with a single 500 GB hard drive for $499 and one with two 500 GB hard drives for $749. Otherwise, the units offer identical specs: Both feature the same internals and can be expanded via a total of four internal hot-swap SATA drive bays, four external USB 2.0 ports, and one external SATA (E-SATA) connector. That's a lot of expansion headroom.

Final thoughts

The HP MediaSmart Server provides a superset of the functionality of Microsoft's Windows Home Server environment, and it does so at a reasonable price, though I recommend the dual-disc 1 TB version if you can afford it. (If not, try to add at least one more hard drive to the system as soon as possible in order to take advantage of WHS' desirable data duplication functionality.) HP's software add-ons are a real improvement to the stock WHS software, especially the out of box setup experience, which turns WHS from an enthusiast-only product into one that is far more usable (if still somewhat confusing) for typical consumers.

The MediaSmart Server hardware sells itself, and it should prove equally interesting to enthusiasts and consumers alike, both of whom will enjoy the look and expandability of the device. It's astonishing that a server this compact can be so full-featured and contain so much storage. That you can expand beyond that almost exponentially with external storage is just icing on the cake.

Put simply, the MediaSmart Server makes WHS more accessible to a wider audience, and HP should be applauded for that. WHS is still a fairly technical product, of course, as you might expect of a 1.0 solution. If you're looking at WHS, this is a hugely desirable option. Highly recommended.

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2008-07-28T10:59:00.001-07:00

The Microsoft LifeCam VX-6000 ($99.95 list) is marketed as a way to capture those "special moments" in life—baby's first steps or what-have-you—from afar. It also adds a layer of intimacy to instant-messaging and makes video chatting with friends and family easy. The webcam produces 1,280-by-1,024 video and 5-megapixel still shots (interpolated) and works seamlessly with the newly released Windows Live Messenger. The built-in unidirectional microphone is convenient—no need for a separate headset, but it could do a better job of picking up sound at a reasonable volume.

The VX-6000 shoots video at 30 frames per second, and its 71-degree wide-angle lens lets multiple people crowd around the camera and participate in chats. It also offers pan and tilt control and 3X digital zoom. The webcam requires Microsoft Windows XP and works best with a broadband connection.

Setup is quick and painless. The VX-6000 will attach easily to most monitors. When you install the included LifeCam 1.0 software, you are asked if you would also like to install Windows Live Messenger. I recommend you do so, as I had the best results with the Live client, although the webcam will work with most other instant-messaging clients. You're then prompted to connect the VX-6000 to your PC via USB and adjust the sound, mic, and video settings, including brightness, contrast, and flicker. There are also some fun video effects you can play around with, including falling snowflakes and other whimsical fare.

I tested the VX-6000 with Windows Live Messenger, AIM, and (beta) Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. When using the webcam with Win-dows Live Messenger, I found the video quality to be good, and the 30 fps rate meant no jumpy video. I did, however, have some audio problems. When I tried out a video chat with a coworker, we couldn't hear each other speak until we cranked each mic's volume nearly all the way up, and then we both heard a significant amount of feedback. (We even tried holding the webcam right up to our faces, with no better results.)

To make a video call using the VX-6000 with Windows Live Messenger, you just press the call button on top of the LifeCam, choose from the list of current online buddies that pops up, and the call is initiated. You can control pan, tilt, and zoom, e-mail webcam photos, or upload them to Windows Live Spaces with one click. There's also a cool face-tracking feature—if you move around while you're talking, the webcam will follow you and keep your face in the middle of the frame. But don't worry, you can turn this off if you'd like privacy.

When using AIM, I noticed a slight delay in both audio and video. I had the worst experience using Yahoo!. The video was jumpy and grainy. Even after both I and the person I was speaking with adjusted Yahoo!'s settings, it didn't improve much.

Overall, the VX-6000 is a reasonably priced webcam with a nice set of features, but I wish the mic worked better.

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Build an XP SP3 Recovery Disc

2008-07-27T01:42:00.001-07:00

Think you can use your original Windows XP disc to restore your PC? Think again.

Odds are your computer came with a recovery disc, a CD with all the programs and drivers that were installed on your PC's hard drive when it was new. And odds are you have absolutely no idea where that disc is.

The good news is that it probably doesn't matter. First of all, the recovery media most PC manufacturers provide is designed for a singular purpose: to restore your computer to the state it was in when you bought it. This process typically involves wiping your hard drive (say bye-bye to your spreadsheets and vacation photos) and then reinstalling Windows and the handful of programs originally included with your system. Unless you're simply preparing the whole kit and caboodle to sell on eBay, this is probably not something you will ever need.
Second, the hardware drivers on your recovery CD are almost certainly out of date, either made obsolete by newer and better versions available online, or simply irrelevant to new hardware you've subsequently installed.

Instead of fretting about the old recovery CD you lost (or perhaps never got), why not take a few minutes and make one of your own?

Ideally, a recovery disc should act as a safety net should anything disagreeable happen to your PC's hard drive or its data. (Think crash, virus, spyware attack, driver corruption, and so on.) A good recovery disc allows you to reinstall Windows to fix a minor problem or rebuild your PC from scratch to recover from a major one.

Here's the problem: Once you upgrade your XP installation to Service Pack 3, Windows won't ever allow you to install an older version (including earlier editions of XP) without either wiping the hard drive clean or installing to a different drive. Even if you do install "fresh," you'll still have to then endure a separate SP3 upgrade. The solution is to create a new hybrid installation disc from whatever installer CD you have and a special version of SP3, using a process known as slipstreaming (etymology: fluid mechanics, or the "Hope and Fear" episode of Star Trek: Voyager.)

Step 1: Take Stock

To prepare a recovery CD, you'll need only three things: a Windows XP install CD (any edition), a valid Windows product key, and about 1.5 gigabytes of free space on your hard drive. Of course, as with many recipes, procuring the ingredients is often the hardest part.

The install CD can be any version, including Service Pack 2, Service Pack 1, or the original release from 2001. If you already have a disc labeled "Windows XP with Service Pack 3" (as opposed to merely an SP3 update disc), then you don't need this procedure.

The CD can be difficult to come by if you bought your PC with Windows preinstalled, mostly because so many manufacturers omit Microsoft's installer CD these days in favor of some sort of customized "express install" recovery disc. (This is done for a variety of reasons, including to simplify customer support and also, in the penny-pinching tradition, to reduce Microsoft licensing fees.) Some PC manufacturers are service-conscious enough to send a true XP CD to any customer who asks for one, but if you're not so lucky, you can get a genuine disc on eBay for as little as $10.

The 25-digit key, of course, you should already have handy if you own a legal license to the software. If XP came with your PC, it's printed on a sticker somewhere on the PC case; if you bought XP, it's on a sticker on the CD sleeve. (You may also have been compulsive enough to save the hologram-laden Certificate of Authenticity, which should have the key as well.) If you can't find it, contact your PC's manufacturer or, barring that, Microsoft for a proper key. You might also try the simply awesome (and awesomely named), open-source Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder, a tiny little utility whose sole purpose is to find the registration keys hidden away in your Registry.

Step 2: Slipstream Service Pack 3

To create a slipstreamed XP SP3 CD, first create a new folder called XP in the root folder of your hard drive. Insert your original XP CD, start Windows Explorer, and then navigate to your CD drive. Highlight everything in the root folder of the CD, and copy all of it to the C:\XP folder you just created.

Next, create a second new folder alongside C:\XP, and name it SP3. Go to download.microsoft.com, type sp3 network install into the search box, and click the link for Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers in the search results. Download the 324MB file, WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU.exe, and save it to the new C:\SP3 folder.

From the Start menu, select Run (or press Windows key-R). Type the following command at the prompt and click OK:

c:\sp3\WindowsXP-KB936929-SP3-x86-ENU /integrate:c:\xp

Type the entire command on one line with only a single space between ENU and /integrate—there should be no spaces surrounding the colons.If all goes well, the process should take a minute or two and then conclude with a simple "Completed" message box. Otherwise, if you see an error, here's what it means:

Failed to copy some or all of the files necessary for integrated install: This can happen for any number of reasons, most likely because you mistyped the /integrate command. But do make sure you have plenty of free hard drive space, and that all of the files from your older XP CD are present in the C:\XP folder.

…is not recognized as an internal or external command: Either you mistyped the SP3 update filename, or you didn't save it in the C:\SP3 folder.

…is not a valid Win32 application: This error usually means the file you downloaded is corrupt, or has not finished downloading. Delete the file and try downloading again.

…not the correct version: You're trying to slipstream the U.S. English version of the SP3 update with a non-English copy of Windows XP, or vice versa. Just return to the Microsoft download page, choose your language from the Change language list, and download the correct file.

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Build an XP SP3 Recovery Disc

2008-07-25T23:18:00.001-07:00

Step 3: Automate the Install

Now if you want to be really slick, you can set up what Microsoft calls an answer file to enter your product key automatically so you don't have to type it manually later on. On your original Win XP CD (Professional Edition only), navigate to the \Support\Tools folder, double-click DEPLOY.CAB, and then double-click Setupmgr.exe to open the Windows Setup Manager Wizard. When prompted, choose Create a new answer file and then Windows Unattended Installation. For the User Interaction Level, choose Provide defaults, and when asked about the Distribution Folder, answer No. Finally, you'll see a new window, into which you can specify defaults; select Providing the Product Key on the left and then type your product key in the text fields on the right.

When you're done, save the file Unattend.txt into your C:\XP folder. For additional information, open the Setupmgr.chm file, also found in DEPLOY.CAB.

Step 4: Bootstrap and Burn

You're not done with your old XP disc yet; you still need to pull the boot loader off the old disc so you can make the new one bootable.

The easiest way to do this is using ImgBurn, available free from www.imgburn.com. Install ImgBurn, start the app, and click Write files/folders to disc on the first screen. Choose the Advanced tab, followed by the Bootable Disc tab, and from the Extract Boot Image list select the drive containing your XP disc. Click the Save icon and save the BootImage.ima file to your C:\SP3 folder.

Now it's time to burn a new CD. You'll need CD-burning software capable of creating a bootable CD, such as ImgBurn, Nero Burning ROM (part of Nero 8 Ultra Edition), or Roxio Media Creator, and you'll need to customize the burning settings carefully.

If you're using Roxio or Nero, choose Bootable CD or CD-ROM (Boot), respectively, from the list of project types. Or, if you're using ImgBurn, choose the Advanced tab, followed by the Bootable Disc tab, and turn on the Make Image Bootable option.

Next, use 0x7C0 for the load segment, and 4 for the sector count. Make sure you're using the Joliet file system, and if prompted to choose a bootable disc emulation type, select no emulation. Specify the BootImage.ima file you just created as the boot image; copy the CD volume label from your original XP CD, and paste it as the disc label for your new project.

Drag the entire contents of the C:\XP folder into your CD project and burn the CD. For good measure, use a Sharpie pen to write your XP key right on your CD, and then put the disc in a safe place for that rainy day.

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Glee Cube

2008-07-24T17:56:00.001-07:00

GleeCube allows you to watch and control up to 2 video sources on you PC or PDA mobile via the Internet, including TV cable, DVD player, video/ security camera, satellite receiver, and etc. You can enjoy your entire home theater from
anywhere in the world!

Overall performance

Connecting Glee Cube with LAN cable and TV cable at home, you can watch and control your TV on your PC or PDA mobile via the Internet anytime anywhere. Glee Cube can connect and control up to 2 video sources, like TV cable, DVD player, video/security camera, satellite receiver and etc.

Feature

The video can be compressed into smaller file by H.264 Technology. The minimum bandwidth requirement to transmit is only 256 Kbps. The best resolution can be DVD quality (D1: 704x480).

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The latest Ultra Mobile PC: GIGABYTE M704

2008-07-24T15:37:00.001-07:00

Embrace the latest member of lightweight and portable notebooks from GIGABYTE: GIGABYTE M704. The M704 not only boasts the best performance amongst UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PC) available in the market, its major selling point of “The right size for your hands” has been very well received among consumers. Weighing merely 780 grams, the M704 comes with a 7” touch screen and a sliding QWERTY keyboard to offer convenience in various operations (such as replying to e-mails and word processing). Users will appreciate the fashion statement that M704 makes with its minimalistic design that provides outstanding performance within their grasp.

Inside the body of the powerful GIGABYTE M704 houses a VIA Esther ULV C7-M 1.2GHz CPU, and the hard disk can be upgraded to a maximum capacity of 60GB. The M704 comes with DDRII 768MB of RAM and supports Microsoft XP Home operating system. When fully charged, the battery offers four hours of operating time and features built in components such as a 1.3 mega-pixel CMOS video camera and IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless network card. Users may surf the wireless net, send and receive e-mails, host video conferencing sessions with the M704 regardless of where they are, making M704 an ideal solution for personal entertainment and work

M704’s exterior design has inherited GIGABYTE U60’s minimalistic, elegant and fashionable design. Its touch screen display offers more options for diverse input methods. The convenient “Snapshot” function simplifies image capturing and the “Touch Pad On/Off Button” gives users greater versatility in operating preferences. M704’s “Mobility Center Button” can be used to perform a number of tasks such as changing display resolutions and adjusting volume without having to access the respective menus. Every functional hotkey on the GIGABYTE M704 has been designed with the principle of offering the maximum convenience to satisfy users’ needs for enhanced convenience and comfort.

Optional peripherals for GIGABYTE M704 include a digital television reception module for users to receive DVB-T signals and a GPS module. In addition, a tastefully designed dock is also available to provide users with a comprehensive output interface including ports for IEEE1394, USB, D-SUB, RJ-45 modem, speaker out and so forth. With its sliding QWERTY keyboard, improved battery performance and wireless network ready features, GIGABYTE M704 is built to offer the convenience of unrestricted internet access and information sharing to bring consumers a brand new experience of mobile lifestyle through wireless internet access.

Available Now

Microsoft Windows^®XP Home

VIA^® Esther Mobile Technology

VIA Esther ULV C7-M (1.2GHz, 400/800MHz, 128KB/128KB L2)

VIA VX-700 UniChrome Pro II Graphics Integrated

DDR2-533 768MB on board

IDE HDD 40 / 60GB support

7" touch screen, full page resolution 1024x600

Integrated 1.3M Pixel Web Camera

Dimension: 190*120.8*30.3 mm

Ultra portable feature of 780g

4hr longer battery life

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Dell Dimension 2400 System Review

2008-07-09T15:15:00.001-07:00

Processor:: Intel Celeron 2.4 GHz processor, 400Mhz FSB (100MHzx4)

Chipset: Intel 845GV chipset
Videocard:

Integrated Intel Extreme graphics Sound:

Integrated Soundmax Sound Memory:

256MB PC-2700 DDR memory (one module) Networking:

Integrated 10/100 Ethernet

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 40GB ATA/100 7200RPM hard drive
CDROM: Hitachi 48X CD-ROM drive

Monitor: 19" Dell brand M992 monitor (max 1600x1200 @ 75Hz, .24 Dot pitch)
Software Setup

WindowsXP Home Edition Accessories

Logitech MX500 optical scroll mouse Altec Lansing 2 speaker system

Dell PS/2 keyboard

PCI 56K modem Microphone

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Acer Power FE

2008-07-06T03:43:00.001-07:00

Processor: 1 x Intel Pentium 4 516 2.93GHz

Bus Speed: 533MHz

Operating System: Windows XP Professional

Case Style: Mini-tower

Dimensions: 14.2" Height x 7.1" Width x 16.5" Depth

Standard Warranty: 1 Year(s) Limited

Chipset: Intel 915GL

Standard Memory: 512MB

Maximum Memory: 2GB

Memory Technology: DDR SDRAM

Hard Drive: 80GB Serial ATA

Optical Drive: Combo Drive - CD-RW/DVD-ROM

Optical Drive Speed: 24x 16x 32x CD-RW/12x DVD-ROM

Controller: Serial ATA

Graphics Controller: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900

Network: 10/100Mbps IEEE 802.3u Fast Ethernet

Expansion Bays: 5.25" Removable Media Bay(s) External (2 Total/1 Free)

Expansion Bays: 3.5" Removable Media Bay(s) External (1 Total)

Expansion Bays: 3.5" Drive Bay(s) Internal (2 Total)

Ports: 1 x VGA

Ports: 1 x Serial

Ports: 1 x Audio Line In

Ports: 1 x Audio Line Out

Ports: RJ-45 Network

Ports: 1 x Microphone

Ports: 1 x Headphone(s)

Ports: 1 x IEEE 1284 Parallel

Ports: 8 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB

Ports: 1 x 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2) Mouse

Ports: 1 x 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2) Keyboard

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Lenovo ThinkCentre A60 (8991DFU)

2008-07-04T13:14:00.000-07:00

General Information
Manufacturer	Lenovo Group Limited
Manufacturer Part Number	8991DFU
Manufacturer Website Address	www.lenovo.com/us/en/
Product Line	ThinkCentre
Product Series	A60
Product Model	8991DFY
Product Name	ThinkCentre A60 Desktop
Product Type	Desktop Computer
Processor & Chipset
Processor	1 x AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Dual Core 2.3GHz
Processor Technology	AMD64 Technology
Processor Technology	HyperTransport Technology
Bus Speed	2000MHz
Cache	1MB L2 Cache
Memory
Standard Memory	1GB
Maximum Memory	4GB
Memory Technology	DDR2 SDRAM
Memory Standard	DDR2-533/PC2-4200
Memory Slots	2 Total/1 Free
Storage
Hard Drive	160GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm
Optical Drive	Combo Drive - CD-RW/DVD-ROM
Removable Storage Drives	Not Included
Controllers
Controller	Serial ATA
Display & Graphics
Graphics Controller	nVIDIA GeForce 6100 DDR SDRAM Integrated
Display Resolution	1920 x 1440 (Graphics Card)
Color Support	16.7 Million Colors (Graphic Card)
Network & Communication
Network	Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet - IEEE 802.3ab
I/O Expansions
Expansion Bays	Drive Bay (4 Total/2 Free)
Expansion Slots	PCI Express x16 (1 Total/1 Free)
Expansion Slots	PCI Express x1 (1 Total/1 Free)
Expansion Slots	PCI (2 Total/2 Free)
Input Devices
Keyboard	USB Keyboard
Pointing Device	USB Mouse
Interfaces/Ports
Ports	1 x VGA
Ports	RJ-45 Network
Ports	1 x IEEE 1284 Parallel
Ports	1 x 9-pin DB-9 Serial
Ports	1 x mini phone Microphone Front
Ports	1 x 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2) Mouse
Ports	1 x 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2) Keyboard
Ports	1 x mini phone Audio Line Out Front
Ports	4 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB Rear
Ports	2 x 4-pin Type A USB 2.0 - USB Front
Software
Operating System	Windows Vista Business
Software Included	Productivity Applications: Adobe Acrobat Reader Diskeeper 9.0 Home Edition Google Desktop Google Toolbar Microsoft Office Hybrid Pro image 2007 Picasa from Google Device drivers/utilities: Sun JRE ThinkVantage Client Security Solution ThinkVantage Productivity Center ThinkVantage Rescue and Recovery ThinkVantage System Update Norton Internet Security (OEM Edition) with 90 days of virus definition updates PC-Doctor diagnostics
Power Description
Input Voltage	110V AC
Input Voltage	220V AC
Physical Characteristics
Color	Black
Case Style	Tower
Miscellaneous
Package Contents	ThinkCentre A60 Desktop Keyboard Mouse

eMachines T3646 AMD Sempron LE-1250

2008-07-01T10:30:00.001-07:00

Computer Specifications

* AMD Sempron™ LE-1250 Processor (Operates at 2.2GHz | 512KB L2 cache | 1600MHz System Bus )
* Windows Vista® Home Basic with Service Pack 1
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 6100 Chipset
* NVIDIA® GeForce® 6100 Integrated Graphics
* 1024MB DDR2 Memory, Dual Channel (1 x 1024MB ), 667MHz (PC2-5300) Expandable to 2GB | 2 DDR2 Slots (Total) | 1 DDR2 Slots (Available)
* 160GB SATA II (7200RPM, 8MB Cache)

* 16x DVD?R/RW SuperMulti Drive

* 6-Channel (5.1) High Definition Audio
* 6 - USB 2.0 Ports (2 Front, 4 Rear)
* Amplified Stereo Speakers (USB Powered)
* Multifunction Keyboard
* 2-Button Wheel Mouse (PS/2)
* 56k ITU v.92 ready Fax/Modem (RJ-11 port)
* 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)

External Ports

* 6 - USB 2.0 Ports (2 Front, 4 Rear)
* 1 ? VGA
* 1 ? Parallel
* 1 - Serial
* 2 - PS/2 Ports (Keyboard and Mouse)
* 3 - Audio (Rear): Line-in (Stereo), Front/Headphones (Stereo), Microphone
* 2 - Audio (Front): Microphone, Front/Headphone (Stereo)
* 1 - RJ-45 Ethernet Port
* 1 - RJ-11 Modem Port

Expansion Slots

* 1 - PCI-E x8 (one available)
* 1 - PCI-E x1 (one available)
* 2 ? PCI (one available)

Expansion Bays

* 3 - 3 1/2" (two available)
* 2 - 5 1/4" (one available)

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Acer Aspire T180 Desktop Review

2008-07-01T01:18:00.001-07:00

The Aspire T180's single-core 2.4GHz AMD Athlon 64 3800+ processor and 1GB of RAM hamper its performance right out of the box, keeping it from being even a passable fit with the Windows Vista Home Premium OS we've seen on other budget machines. (The Aspire ships with Vista Home Basic.) The 160GB hard drive is also on the small side, and the nVidia GeForce 6100/nForce 430 MCP integrated graphics are not exactly top-notch tech, either.

As you might guess from a PC with this mix of components, the Aspire T180 turned in scores that were lower than those of similarly priced desktops on all of our benchmark tests. Any sort of 3D gaming is out of the question, of course, but even for everyday productivity tasks, this system delivers basic functionality and not much else.

You do, however, get a few bonuses. The software selection includes a 90-day trial of Norton AntiVirus 2006, as well as CyberLink PowerDVD, NTI CD-Maker Gold, and Acer's own performance, recovery, and security tools. And the PC does offer good expandability. Two RAM slots are free, as are an external 5.25-inch drive bay, three internal hard drive bays, two PCI Express (PCIe) slots (one x1 and one x16), and one PCI 2.2 slot. (A modem occupies a second PCI slot.) So it's possible to bump up the Aspire T180's power a bit with some carefully chosen components.

What do we think we should get for $599.95, you might ask? More than this, frankly. The eMachines T5230 offers considerably more power for the same price (or a lower one, once you factor in its mail-in rebate), and the ZT Element 2005Xa comes with twice the RAM and a slew of extras that will make your computing experience more fun. The Aspire T180 is about as bare-bones as it gets, even down to its one-year warranty—you can take the machine to an authorized service provider or mail it back to Acer for repair, but that's about it.

Though hardware prices have dropped a lot in recent months, no one buying an under-$600 PC should expect the kind of performance or features found in a machine costing $1,000 or more. You do have the right, however, to expect a bit more than the Acer Aspire T180 provides.

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P-172X, Gateway P-Series

2008-07-01T00:09:00.001-07:00

Intel^® Core™2 Duo Processor-1.83GHz¹Genuine Windows Vista^® Home Premium
17.0" WXGA+ Ultrabright TFT Active Matrix (1440 x 900 max. resolution)2GB
160GB³ 5400rpm Slot-load 8x DVD-RW Intel^® GM965 chipset
Integrated RealTek 10/100/1000 Ethernet Adapter
Primary 6-cell lithium-ion battery ntegrated Intel^® 3945 802.11a/b/g wireless networking Integrated 1.3 Megapixel webcam 1-year parts and labor limited warranty⁴

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My IP Address

2008-06-30T09:49:00.001-07:00

It is a software that show your IP address while you are connects to Internet. The program is easy to use, at any time you can point your mouse to the tray icon and see your IP address. It allows to determine HostName, Internet IP, LAN IP and MAC address of your computer and other. You can use My IP Address in order to detect your Internet IP address from house, in office or to school. Version 1.2 includes unspecified updates.
Download Now

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It's Free

2008-06-30T00:39:00.001-07:00

5 Star Support
Need help with your computer? This popular site offers free computer technical support and advice. Here, you'll also find computer tips, tricks, tutorials, free downloads, and more.

MC MCSE
This site offers a treasure trove of free learning resources for Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA and CIW certifications. The content here includes study guides, online practice exams, forums, news and more. MC MCSE also features a good roundup of other free certification sites.

MCSE Directory
If you're studying for the MCSE (Microsoft Certification Exam), then this new directory is a must-visit. Here, you'll find a comprehensive roundup of free MCSE resources on the Web, including practice tests, study guides, free books and brain dumps (sites that offer free online training).

Tech Tutorials
This site offers the biggest roundup we've seen yet of free tutorials, aimed at computer and networking professional. There are many topics here, including applications, DOS, databases, Linux, Macs, OS2, Windows and more.

Free Computer Tutorials
This site offers free online computer tutorials that cover Microsoft Office, Site Build It (SBI) and other major Windows applications. The courses here are available in four proficiency levels: basic, intermediate, advanced and expert.

PC Pitstop
Are you looking to get your computer in tip-top shape? This marvelous free online resource lets you easily test and diagnose your computer, hard drive, Net connection, and more. PC Pitstop can check your computer for viruses and it also offers tips for improving your PC's performance.

Task List Programs
Have you ever been baffled by the various (often-cryptic) task list programs running on your PC? This handy free reference describes hundreds of task list programs and includes detailed explanations of each program and what its purpose is.

Suggest a Fix
Looking for free tech support? This popular, well-organized site offers support on many topics, from Windows to computer hardware issues. The technologically savvy volunteers who staff the forums here can answer your questions in plain English.

Protonic.com
Having you having technical support problems with your computer? This handy free service, which is staffed by a community of over 1,110 volunteers, aims to help users with any tech problems they might have, from error messages to HTML help.

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Someday all pens will be this smart

2008-06-28T12:05:00.001-07:00

The Pulse smartpen from Livescribe is transforming the way you take notes. You'll never miss a word again because the Pulse smartpen captures your handwriting and simultaneously records and links what you hear to what you write. It's built in a Java development environment, it's as easy to use as pen and paper. Livescribe and Java: opening a host of new opportunities for paper-based applications. » Learn more about Livescribe

The pen's power is in letting you review written notes that are synchronized with audio. When you tap what you've scribbled or drawn on the special "dot paper" Pulse works with, you'll hear any audio you recorded while you were writing. You can search notes on your (Windows-only) PC by typing in a word and having Livescribe's software find a written match. Searching worked well despite my suspect handwriting. Pulse also functions as a basic digital audio recorder.

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Take the power of Google Maps with you

2008-06-28T11:07:00.001-07:00

Google Maps helps you find local hangouts and businesses across town or across the country—right from your Java Powered mobile phone. When you download Google Maps, you can have step-by-step directions, draggable maps, integrated search results, and satellite imagery in the palm of your hand. Google Maps and Java: getting you where you want to go! » Learn more about Google Maps

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Sony - Problems with Wireless Network (Model Name: VGN - FE590)

2008-06-28T09:35:00.001-07:00

02/07/2006

Network

Intel® PRO/100 VE Network Connection Driver - Installs the originally shipped version of the Intel PRO/100 VE Network Connection Driver. See more..

1.36 MB

02/09/2006

Wireless LAN

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection Driver - Installs the originally shipped version of the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection Driver. See more..

20.77 MB

02/13/2006

Network

Intel® Pro/1000 PL Network Connection Driver - Installs the originally shipped version of the Intel Pro/1000 PL Network Connection Driver for the VGP-PRFE1 Multi Function Docking Station. See more..

1.32 M

03/09/2006

Wireless LAN

Intel® PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection Driver - Resolves an issue where an error may occur if the computer enters suspend or resume mode while connected to an access point. See more..

20.56 MB

Blowout Drivers

Download drivers and reload them
Call Sony for info on problems: 1-888-476-6972

Service Tag: R5130942 MFD 03/06

Product Code: 28398794

Serial No. 3000128

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Games for everyone

2008-06-28T06:58:00.001-07:00

Pogo.com, the #1 online casual gaming site on the Internet, lets you have more fun with over 80 free, classic online games including puzzles, word games, casino, card and board games for single and multiple players. Java technology powers many of these all time favorite, fun and exciting games and online experiences. Known as the stickiest online destination in the US, you can't stay away from Pogo.com for games, Club Pogo, Pogo Chat, badge challenges, avatars, Pogo Minis and Gems and much more. Pogo.com and Java: bringing your favorite games to life! » Learn more about Pogo.com

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ClipTrak Pro: Keep Past Clips Present

2008-06-26T17:12:00.001-07:00

Do you ever wish you could backtrack through the Windows clipboard to retrieve a recently copied item? Or wish you had the ability to quickly paste items that you use over and over again? ClipTrak Pro, an update to our great clipboard manager, enables you to do just that.

This version adds many features that enable you to:

• Organize your clips into folders

• Paste clips without using the mouse with our new Quick Paste Key operation

• View clips by type, copy date, paste date, and most used

• View the clip contents of images, HTML, text, rich text format (RTF), and Web pages

• Edit the text, HTML, and RTF of your clips

• Spell check clips

• Perform full text searches on all