Showing posts with label hardware. Show all posts
How to Rename Recycle Bin?
Posted by Anbu on Sunday, February 17, 2013
Problem:
How to Rename Recycle Bin?
Solution:
1. Start, Run, 'Regedit'.
2. Press 'Ctrl'+'F' to open find box and type 'Recycle Bin' to search.
3. Change any value data with 'Recycle Bin' to whatever name you want to give it ( ie, like 'Trash Can' or 'Dump' etc).
4. Press F3 to continue searching for 'Recycle Bin' and change wherever you come across 'Recycle Bin' to new its new name.
5. Repeat step 4 until you have finished with searching and changed all values to its new name.
6. Close regedit and hit F5 on desktop to see the new name on screen.
Note: As a good practice, always backup your registry before changing anything although changing 'Recycle Bin' name is a simple tweak and doesnt affect anything else.
How to Rename Recycle Bin?
Solution:
1. Start, Run, 'Regedit'.
2. Press 'Ctrl'+'F' to open find box and type 'Recycle Bin' to search.
3. Change any value data with 'Recycle Bin' to whatever name you want to give it ( ie, like 'Trash Can' or 'Dump' etc).
4. Press F3 to continue searching for 'Recycle Bin' and change wherever you come across 'Recycle Bin' to new its new name.
5. Repeat step 4 until you have finished with searching and changed all values to its new name.
6. Close regedit and hit F5 on desktop to see the new name on screen.
Note: As a good practice, always backup your registry before changing anything although changing 'Recycle Bin' name is a simple tweak and doesnt affect anything else.
How to Stop Windows Error Blue Screen
Posted by Anbu on
Problem:
How to Stop Windows Error Blue Screen
Solution:
Sometimes it just keeps happening over and over again and usually without any warning. Unfortunately when your computer shows up with a blue screen it will usually be set to automatically shutdown the computer or sometimes restart it. This makes many people panic because they cannot see, or even have time to write down all of the information on that particular blue screen.
Stop the Windows error blue screen on your screen and stopping it from restarting can be done in all Windows versions. I do not use Windows XP at the moment, however I am sure that this option exists in that operating system as well. The screen shots I have taken below are from Windows Vista, but Windows 7 is very similar to this.
How to stop the Windows error blue screen:
Follow this step:
1. Go to My Computer on Display and Right Click on My Computer Icon.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Now the systems properties will open. Click on Advanced Tab.
4. Under the Startup and Recovery section, press on settings.
5. The start up and recovery box will appear. Go to the System Failure section.
6. Uncheck the box where it says Automatically restart.
7. Press ok to finish.
How to Stop Windows Error Blue Screen
Solution:
Sometimes it just keeps happening over and over again and usually without any warning. Unfortunately when your computer shows up with a blue screen it will usually be set to automatically shutdown the computer or sometimes restart it. This makes many people panic because they cannot see, or even have time to write down all of the information on that particular blue screen.
Stop the Windows error blue screen on your screen and stopping it from restarting can be done in all Windows versions. I do not use Windows XP at the moment, however I am sure that this option exists in that operating system as well. The screen shots I have taken below are from Windows Vista, but Windows 7 is very similar to this.
How to stop the Windows error blue screen:
Follow this step:
1. Go to My Computer on Display and Right Click on My Computer Icon.
2. Click on Properties.
3. Now the systems properties will open. Click on Advanced Tab.
4. Under the Startup and Recovery section, press on settings.
5. The start up and recovery box will appear. Go to the System Failure section.
6. Uncheck the box where it says Automatically restart.
7. Press ok to finish.
How to Upgrade Laptop RAM
Posted by Anbu on
Problem:
How to Upgrade Laptop RAM
Solution:
This tips is set up in two parts, one part about RAM overview and a second part about RAM upgrade. If you are curious on how the RAM works, you will find a detail summary that should give you all the information that you need to know about RAM, organization and speed. If you just want to read the how to upgrade section, move on directly to part two Upgrade your laptop ram in 5 minutes or less.
1 – RAM Overview
There are two big categories of random access memories:
Dynamic memories (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Module), not very costly. They are in most cases used for the central memory of the computer
Static memories (SRAM, Static Random Access Module), quick and expensive. SRAM is notably used for cache memories of the processor
Functioning of the random access memory
The random access memory is constituted of hundred of thousand small condensers storing charges. When it is loaded, the logical state of the condenser is equal to 1, otherwise it belongs to 0, what means that every condenser represents one bit of memory.
Given that condensers off-load, it is always necessary to recharge them in a space of regular time called cycle of refreshment. Memory DRAM requires cycles of refreshment for instance (Ns) is about 15 nanoseconds.
Every condenser is coupled with a transistor allowing to "recover « or to change the state of the condenser. These transistors are lined up in form of matrix, that is they achieve a hut memory (so called memory) by a line and a column.
So, for a memory of type DRAM, the time of access is of 60 nanoseconds (35ns of delay of cycle and 25 ns of time of latency). On a computer, the time of cycle corresponds contrary to the frequency of the clock, for instance for a computer pulsated in 200 MHz, the time of cycle is 5 ns (1 / (200*106)).
As a result a computer having a frequency well brought up and using memories the time of access of which is much longer than the time of cycle of the processor must perform cycles of wait to access to the memory. In the case of a computer pulsated in 200 MHz using memories of types DRAM (which the time of access is of 60ns), there are 11 cycles of wait as a cycle of transfer. The performances of the computer are of as much diminished as there are cycles
Formats of Random Access Memory (RAM)
There are numerous types of random access memories. These all come in the form of barrettes of memory attachable on the motherboard.
SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module): it is about printed circuits among which one of the faces has fleas of memory. There are two types of barrettes SIMM, according to the number of connector cables (30 or 72)
DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Modulates) are from memories 64 bits, what explains why it is not necessary to match them. Barrettes DIMM have fleas of memory on both sides of printed circuit and have also 84 connector cables on each side, what endows them with a total of 168 brooches. They have bigger dimensions than barrettes SIMM (130x25mm).
RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module, conscripts also RD-RAM or DRD-RAM) are from memories 64 bits developed by the society Rambus. They have 184 brooches. These barrettes have two notches of location (détrompeurs), avoiding very risk of confusion with the previous modules. Considering their well brought up speed of transfer, barrettes RIMM have a thermal film made responsible for ameliorating the clearing up of warmth. As in the case of DIMM, there are modules of smaller size, called SO RIMM (Small Outline RIMM), intended for laptop computers. Barrettes SO RIMM include only 160 brooches.
DRAM (Dynamic RAM, dynamic RAM) is the type of memo most spread at the beginning of the millennium. It is about a memory from which transistors are lined up in a matrix according to lines and of columns. A transistor, coupled with a condenser gives the information of a bit. 1 byte consisting of 8 bits, a barrette of memory 256 Mb DRAM will contain 256 therefore * 2^10 * 2^10 = 256 * on 1024 * on 1024 = 268 435 456 bytes = 268 435 456 * 8 = 2 147 483 648 bits = 2 147 483 648 transistors. A 256 Mb barrette has so in reality a capacity of 268 435 456 bytes, that is 268 Mb! These are memories from which the time of access is 60 ns. On the other hand, accesses memory are made in general on data lined up consecutively in memory. So the mode of access in gust (burst mode) allows to achieve the three successive data in the first one without time of additional latency.
DRAM FPM to speed up accesses to DRAM, there is a technology, called pagination consisting in achieving data located on the same column by changing the address of the line only, what allows to avoid the repetition of the number of column between the reading of each of the lines. They speak then about DRAM FPM (Fast Page Mode). FPM allows to acquire time of access in the order of 70 - 80 nanoseconds for a frequency of functioning that can go from 25 to 33 Mhz.
DRAM EDO (Extended Data Out, Goes out of data ameliorated sometimes also called "hyper-page") appears in 1995. The technology used with this type of memory consists in addressing the following column during the reading of the data of a column. It creates an overlapping of accesses allowing to save time on every cycle. The time of access to memory EDO is therefore about 50 - 60 nanoseconds for a frequency of functioning going 33 - 66 Mhz. So, RAM EDO, when it is used in mode gust allows to acquire cycles of form 5-2-2-2, that is a benefit of 4 cycles on the access to 4 data. As much as memory EDO did not accept the upper frequencies in 66 Mhz, it disappeared in aid of SDRAM.
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM, translate synchronous RAM), appeared in 1997, allows a reading of data synchronized with the bus of the card-mother, contrary to memories EDO and FPM (qualified as asynchronous) having their own clock. SDRAM allows therefore to free itself from time of wait owed to synchronization with the card-mother. This one allows to acquire a cycle in mode gust of form 5-1-1-1, that is to say benefit of 3 cycles in comparison with RAM EDO. In that way SDRAM is able of working with a cadenza going until 150 Mhz, allowing him to acquire from time of access about 10 ns.
DR-SDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM or else RDRAM) is a type of memory allowing to transfer data on a bus of 16 wide bits to a cadenza of 800Mhz, what confers on him a band passer-by of 1,6 Go / s. As SDRAM, this type of memory is synchronized with the clock of the bus to ameliorate exchanges of data.
DDR-SDRAM (Double Dated Miss SDRAM) is a memory based on technology SDRAM, allowing to double the rate of transfer of SDRAM with equal frequency. Reading or writing of data in memory am accomplished on the basis of a clock. Standard memory DRAM uses a method conscript SDR (Single Data Fails) consisting in reading or writing data in every forehead going up. DDR allows to double the frequency of reading / writings, with a clock pulsated in the same frequency, by sending data in every forehead going up, as well as in every downward forehead. Memory DDR has in general a commercial appellation of type PCXXXX where "XXXX " represent the debit side in Mb / s.
DDR2 (or DDR-II) allows to attain twice as well brought up debit sides as DDR with equal external frequency. They speak about QDR (Quadruple Dated Fail or quad-pumped) to indicate the method of reading and used writing. Memory DDR2 uses in effect two channels separated for reading and for writing, so it is able of sending or of accepting twice more data than DDR.
2 - Upgrading Your Laptop RAM
upgrading a notebook memory is a specific simple process pending that you have the right RAM and are somewhat delicate.
There are different types of RAM, and you must choose the one that is compatible with your notebook computer. Memory is also a fragile, so you need to be very cautious when installing it. You should ensure that the laptop is turned off and disconnected from any exterior power supply. No lights should be visible.
It is a lot easier to install RAM on a laptop versus a desktop PC. Access to the memory slots is via a panel generally located in the bottom of the laptop. Once you have opened this panel with a small screwdriver you can see the existing memory. you can check the exact type of memory that your Notebook currently uses, because it is usually shown on the front of the memory strips and will be evident when you open up the memory panel.
The memory strips are generally locked in with small clips on the ends of the strips. To take out existing memory, simply flip the clips and then remove the memory strips gently from their holding place. If you are simply adding memory, and there is space available, just add the new memory, gently pushing it in to ensure it is fully seated in the slots, and then push the clips to hold the new memory in place.
Once you have replaced or added your Notebook computer memory, replace the access panel, and then screw the panel back in place. Lastly, power up the notebook, When the PC starts up, it will count the memory and tell you how much RAM is loaded on your laptop.
As long as you have right memory, the whole operation should take less than 5 minutes, you can then enjoy your faster, less crash prone laptop.
How to Upgrade Laptop RAM
Solution:
This tips is set up in two parts, one part about RAM overview and a second part about RAM upgrade. If you are curious on how the RAM works, you will find a detail summary that should give you all the information that you need to know about RAM, organization and speed. If you just want to read the how to upgrade section, move on directly to part two Upgrade your laptop ram in 5 minutes or less.
1 – RAM Overview
There are two big categories of random access memories:
Dynamic memories (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Module), not very costly. They are in most cases used for the central memory of the computer
Static memories (SRAM, Static Random Access Module), quick and expensive. SRAM is notably used for cache memories of the processor
Functioning of the random access memory
The random access memory is constituted of hundred of thousand small condensers storing charges. When it is loaded, the logical state of the condenser is equal to 1, otherwise it belongs to 0, what means that every condenser represents one bit of memory.
Given that condensers off-load, it is always necessary to recharge them in a space of regular time called cycle of refreshment. Memory DRAM requires cycles of refreshment for instance (Ns) is about 15 nanoseconds.
Every condenser is coupled with a transistor allowing to "recover « or to change the state of the condenser. These transistors are lined up in form of matrix, that is they achieve a hut memory (so called memory) by a line and a column.
So, for a memory of type DRAM, the time of access is of 60 nanoseconds (35ns of delay of cycle and 25 ns of time of latency). On a computer, the time of cycle corresponds contrary to the frequency of the clock, for instance for a computer pulsated in 200 MHz, the time of cycle is 5 ns (1 / (200*106)).
As a result a computer having a frequency well brought up and using memories the time of access of which is much longer than the time of cycle of the processor must perform cycles of wait to access to the memory. In the case of a computer pulsated in 200 MHz using memories of types DRAM (which the time of access is of 60ns), there are 11 cycles of wait as a cycle of transfer. The performances of the computer are of as much diminished as there are cycles
Formats of Random Access Memory (RAM)
There are numerous types of random access memories. These all come in the form of barrettes of memory attachable on the motherboard.
SIMM (Single Inline Memory Module): it is about printed circuits among which one of the faces has fleas of memory. There are two types of barrettes SIMM, according to the number of connector cables (30 or 72)
DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Modulates) are from memories 64 bits, what explains why it is not necessary to match them. Barrettes DIMM have fleas of memory on both sides of printed circuit and have also 84 connector cables on each side, what endows them with a total of 168 brooches. They have bigger dimensions than barrettes SIMM (130x25mm).
RIMM (Rambus Inline Memory Module, conscripts also RD-RAM or DRD-RAM) are from memories 64 bits developed by the society Rambus. They have 184 brooches. These barrettes have two notches of location (détrompeurs), avoiding very risk of confusion with the previous modules. Considering their well brought up speed of transfer, barrettes RIMM have a thermal film made responsible for ameliorating the clearing up of warmth. As in the case of DIMM, there are modules of smaller size, called SO RIMM (Small Outline RIMM), intended for laptop computers. Barrettes SO RIMM include only 160 brooches.
DRAM (Dynamic RAM, dynamic RAM) is the type of memo most spread at the beginning of the millennium. It is about a memory from which transistors are lined up in a matrix according to lines and of columns. A transistor, coupled with a condenser gives the information of a bit. 1 byte consisting of 8 bits, a barrette of memory 256 Mb DRAM will contain 256 therefore * 2^10 * 2^10 = 256 * on 1024 * on 1024 = 268 435 456 bytes = 268 435 456 * 8 = 2 147 483 648 bits = 2 147 483 648 transistors. A 256 Mb barrette has so in reality a capacity of 268 435 456 bytes, that is 268 Mb! These are memories from which the time of access is 60 ns. On the other hand, accesses memory are made in general on data lined up consecutively in memory. So the mode of access in gust (burst mode) allows to achieve the three successive data in the first one without time of additional latency.
DRAM FPM to speed up accesses to DRAM, there is a technology, called pagination consisting in achieving data located on the same column by changing the address of the line only, what allows to avoid the repetition of the number of column between the reading of each of the lines. They speak then about DRAM FPM (Fast Page Mode). FPM allows to acquire time of access in the order of 70 - 80 nanoseconds for a frequency of functioning that can go from 25 to 33 Mhz.
DRAM EDO (Extended Data Out, Goes out of data ameliorated sometimes also called "hyper-page") appears in 1995. The technology used with this type of memory consists in addressing the following column during the reading of the data of a column. It creates an overlapping of accesses allowing to save time on every cycle. The time of access to memory EDO is therefore about 50 - 60 nanoseconds for a frequency of functioning going 33 - 66 Mhz. So, RAM EDO, when it is used in mode gust allows to acquire cycles of form 5-2-2-2, that is a benefit of 4 cycles on the access to 4 data. As much as memory EDO did not accept the upper frequencies in 66 Mhz, it disappeared in aid of SDRAM.
SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM, translate synchronous RAM), appeared in 1997, allows a reading of data synchronized with the bus of the card-mother, contrary to memories EDO and FPM (qualified as asynchronous) having their own clock. SDRAM allows therefore to free itself from time of wait owed to synchronization with the card-mother. This one allows to acquire a cycle in mode gust of form 5-1-1-1, that is to say benefit of 3 cycles in comparison with RAM EDO. In that way SDRAM is able of working with a cadenza going until 150 Mhz, allowing him to acquire from time of access about 10 ns.
DR-SDRAM (Direct Rambus DRAM or else RDRAM) is a type of memory allowing to transfer data on a bus of 16 wide bits to a cadenza of 800Mhz, what confers on him a band passer-by of 1,6 Go / s. As SDRAM, this type of memory is synchronized with the clock of the bus to ameliorate exchanges of data.
DDR-SDRAM (Double Dated Miss SDRAM) is a memory based on technology SDRAM, allowing to double the rate of transfer of SDRAM with equal frequency. Reading or writing of data in memory am accomplished on the basis of a clock. Standard memory DRAM uses a method conscript SDR (Single Data Fails) consisting in reading or writing data in every forehead going up. DDR allows to double the frequency of reading / writings, with a clock pulsated in the same frequency, by sending data in every forehead going up, as well as in every downward forehead. Memory DDR has in general a commercial appellation of type PCXXXX where "XXXX " represent the debit side in Mb / s.
DDR2 (or DDR-II) allows to attain twice as well brought up debit sides as DDR with equal external frequency. They speak about QDR (Quadruple Dated Fail or quad-pumped) to indicate the method of reading and used writing. Memory DDR2 uses in effect two channels separated for reading and for writing, so it is able of sending or of accepting twice more data than DDR.
2 - Upgrading Your Laptop RAM
upgrading a notebook memory is a specific simple process pending that you have the right RAM and are somewhat delicate.
There are different types of RAM, and you must choose the one that is compatible with your notebook computer. Memory is also a fragile, so you need to be very cautious when installing it. You should ensure that the laptop is turned off and disconnected from any exterior power supply. No lights should be visible.
It is a lot easier to install RAM on a laptop versus a desktop PC. Access to the memory slots is via a panel generally located in the bottom of the laptop. Once you have opened this panel with a small screwdriver you can see the existing memory. you can check the exact type of memory that your Notebook currently uses, because it is usually shown on the front of the memory strips and will be evident when you open up the memory panel.
The memory strips are generally locked in with small clips on the ends of the strips. To take out existing memory, simply flip the clips and then remove the memory strips gently from their holding place. If you are simply adding memory, and there is space available, just add the new memory, gently pushing it in to ensure it is fully seated in the slots, and then push the clips to hold the new memory in place.
Once you have replaced or added your Notebook computer memory, replace the access panel, and then screw the panel back in place. Lastly, power up the notebook, When the PC starts up, it will count the memory and tell you how much RAM is loaded on your laptop.
As long as you have right memory, the whole operation should take less than 5 minutes, you can then enjoy your faster, less crash prone laptop.
I bought 4 GB of RAM! Why does the computer say I have only 3?
Posted by Anbu on
Problem:
I bought 4 GB of RAM! Why does the computer say I have only 3?
Solution:
Currently, there are limitations to using 4GB of RAM or more, especially in older notebooks. The first thing to keep in mind is that 32-bit operating systems (like the most common versions of Vista and XP) cannot use the full 4GB. Even though 32 bits can be used to compose addresses in a 4GB range, some of those addresses will be reserved for memory-mapped devices like the GPU and the HDD. The net effect is that you will see between 3 and 3.5 GB of RAM, depending on the particular type of computer. Note that recent patches to 32-bit Windows XP and Vista enable them to recognize that the computer has 4GB of RAM, and display 4GB in the system properties; that doesn't mean they will use the whole amount, however. They are still limited to 3.5 GB, and there is no way around this limitation, so the information in the system properties is simply misleading.
Before the 32-bit limitation kicks in, there are several other things that can go wrong with older notebooks:
The hardware (chipset) might not be able to address the entire range. If so, there's nothing you can do except upgrade the motherboard (which in the notebook world is equivalent to buying a new computer).
Even if the hardware is able to address 4GB, the BIOS might not support it. A BIOS update might fix this, if the mainboard manufacturer included memory support in the BIOS fixes (check the list of changes).
Newer notebooks (at least the Penryn and Montevina generations) should not suffer from these problems.
If your hardware supports 4GB of RAM, one way to make use of all of them is to upgrade to OS to Vista 64 (if you're willing to use Vista). Make sure you have the necessary drivers before you take this step, though! There also exists a 64-bit version of Windows XP, but driver support for that version is very bad, so I don't recommend it. One (not so good) alternative, with which you can keep a 32-bit OS, is to enable PAE, if your hardware supports it; but PAE implementations are fraught with problems on many consumer machines.
Even if your computer doesn't use all 4GB of RAM, there's no big reason to worry: the difference from 3GB to 4GB of RAM is very difficult to feel in real life with current OS-es and applications, except in isolated cases e.g., working with graphical tools and very high-resolution images.
I bought 4 GB of RAM! Why does the computer say I have only 3?
Solution:
Currently, there are limitations to using 4GB of RAM or more, especially in older notebooks. The first thing to keep in mind is that 32-bit operating systems (like the most common versions of Vista and XP) cannot use the full 4GB. Even though 32 bits can be used to compose addresses in a 4GB range, some of those addresses will be reserved for memory-mapped devices like the GPU and the HDD. The net effect is that you will see between 3 and 3.5 GB of RAM, depending on the particular type of computer. Note that recent patches to 32-bit Windows XP and Vista enable them to recognize that the computer has 4GB of RAM, and display 4GB in the system properties; that doesn't mean they will use the whole amount, however. They are still limited to 3.5 GB, and there is no way around this limitation, so the information in the system properties is simply misleading.
Before the 32-bit limitation kicks in, there are several other things that can go wrong with older notebooks:
The hardware (chipset) might not be able to address the entire range. If so, there's nothing you can do except upgrade the motherboard (which in the notebook world is equivalent to buying a new computer).
Even if the hardware is able to address 4GB, the BIOS might not support it. A BIOS update might fix this, if the mainboard manufacturer included memory support in the BIOS fixes (check the list of changes).
Newer notebooks (at least the Penryn and Montevina generations) should not suffer from these problems.
If your hardware supports 4GB of RAM, one way to make use of all of them is to upgrade to OS to Vista 64 (if you're willing to use Vista). Make sure you have the necessary drivers before you take this step, though! There also exists a 64-bit version of Windows XP, but driver support for that version is very bad, so I don't recommend it. One (not so good) alternative, with which you can keep a 32-bit OS, is to enable PAE, if your hardware supports it; but PAE implementations are fraught with problems on many consumer machines.
Even if your computer doesn't use all 4GB of RAM, there's no big reason to worry: the difference from 3GB to 4GB of RAM is very difficult to feel in real life with current OS-es and applications, except in isolated cases e.g., working with graphical tools and very high-resolution images.
What is battery calibration, and how do I do it?
Posted by Anbu on
Problem:
What is battery calibration, and how do I do it?
Solution:
Over time, the minimum and maximum charge readings of the battery may become inaccurate. The result will be that sometimes the battery reads a less than 100% charge, but is no longer charging; or the computer shuts down too early, while actually there is still some charge left in the battery. One of the main causes of readings becoming inaccurate is battery wear (see above).
To fix this, you can run battery calibration. Some notebooks have an option to do that in the BIOS. For those notebooks, reboot and enter BIOS. Look for the "Start battery calibration" option or something similar. The BIOS will then charge the battery to full, and then ask you to unplug the computer and leave the battery to discharge to empty; do so. When the battery is discharged, the calibration is complete. Restarting the notebook into the operating system should give you accurate charge readings.
For notebooks that don't have the option, you can sometimes replicate it manually. Charge the battery to full, then unplug the computer and turn off all the battery alarms (Low Battery and Critical Battery). Let the battery drain completely. Start Windows and recharge the battery. Reboot one more time. With any luck, your battery meter is calibrated after this procedure.
Do not abuse this option, as Lithium-Ion batteries don't actually like fully discharging them to empty; this adds some wear to the battery (more than the ordinary usage patterns).
What is battery calibration, and how do I do it?
Solution:
Over time, the minimum and maximum charge readings of the battery may become inaccurate. The result will be that sometimes the battery reads a less than 100% charge, but is no longer charging; or the computer shuts down too early, while actually there is still some charge left in the battery. One of the main causes of readings becoming inaccurate is battery wear (see above).
To fix this, you can run battery calibration. Some notebooks have an option to do that in the BIOS. For those notebooks, reboot and enter BIOS. Look for the "Start battery calibration" option or something similar. The BIOS will then charge the battery to full, and then ask you to unplug the computer and leave the battery to discharge to empty; do so. When the battery is discharged, the calibration is complete. Restarting the notebook into the operating system should give you accurate charge readings.
For notebooks that don't have the option, you can sometimes replicate it manually. Charge the battery to full, then unplug the computer and turn off all the battery alarms (Low Battery and Critical Battery). Let the battery drain completely. Start Windows and recharge the battery. Reboot one more time. With any luck, your battery meter is calibrated after this procedure.
Do not abuse this option, as Lithium-Ion batteries don't actually like fully discharging them to empty; this adds some wear to the battery (more than the ordinary usage patterns).
How do I save power and reduce heat with my nVidia GPU?
Posted by Anbu on
Problem:
How do I save power and reduce heat with my nVidia GPU?
Solution:
This guide only covers dedicated nVidia GPUs. Unfortunately, there isn't much to cover. Recent driver versions have all but removed user control over the GPU power profile. The GPU adjusts the profile automatically according to load, and lower clocks are used on battery.
nVidia cards in Windows XP: Make sure you use a driver that supports PowerMizer. Newer driver versions allow very little control: you can only select whether or not you want the GPU speed to be capped to a lower value when the notebook runs on batteries. This can be done only in the Advanced mode of the nVidia control panel. If you have such a driver, make sure the GPU is capped when on battery.
With older driver versions, you have more freedom. You can select among three power profiles: Power Saving (aka Standard 2D), Balanced (aka Low-Power 3D), and High Performance (aka Performance 3D). Go to the GPU driver config page (right click on the desktop, Properties, Advanced, Settings, GPU): select Power Saving for battery, and Max Performance for AC Power (if you're gaming or using GPU-intensive apps); or Balanced for AC Power (if you don't game nor use GPU-intensive apps).
nVidia cards in Vista: In theory, the GPU power profile should be controlled via the Vista power profile (see below for the procedure). In practice, I have found that the driver ignores the Vista profile settings, and the GPU profile adjusts automatically according to load. Also, lower clocks are used on battery. Nevertheless, this lack of control could have been due to a problem with my particular setup, so I cover the (theoretical) procedure for GPU profile control below.
I assume your laptop uses the PCI Express interface for the GPU. That is the case for virtually all current dedicated GPUs. If your GPU is integrated, those are much more power-efficient, and the default power profiles will probably be good enough for you. Click the battery icon in the system tray, then select More Power Options, and from the ensuing page, click Change plan settings, and from the next page select Change Advanced Power Settings. Power saving profile: Select from the dropdown list the powerplan(s) that you use for conserving power (by default, Vista uses Battery Saving on battery and Balanced on AC power). Look for the PCI Express setting, expand it, and set the Link State Power Management to Maximum Power Savings both on battery and on AC power. High performance profile: Select from the dropdown list the powerplan(s) that you use for high performance (e.g., High Performance). Expand PCI Express setting, and set the Link State Power Management to Off both on battery and on AC power. Now you only need to use a power-saving Vista profile when you want your GPU to consume less power, and a high-performance Vista profile when you want it to go full-speed.
It is possible (in theory and practice) to also lower the clocks for the GPU profiles, using software such as Riva Tuner. This can be used to emulate to an extent explicitly controlled GPU profiles.
How do I save power and reduce heat with my nVidia GPU?
Solution:
This guide only covers dedicated nVidia GPUs. Unfortunately, there isn't much to cover. Recent driver versions have all but removed user control over the GPU power profile. The GPU adjusts the profile automatically according to load, and lower clocks are used on battery.
nVidia cards in Windows XP: Make sure you use a driver that supports PowerMizer. Newer driver versions allow very little control: you can only select whether or not you want the GPU speed to be capped to a lower value when the notebook runs on batteries. This can be done only in the Advanced mode of the nVidia control panel. If you have such a driver, make sure the GPU is capped when on battery.
With older driver versions, you have more freedom. You can select among three power profiles: Power Saving (aka Standard 2D), Balanced (aka Low-Power 3D), and High Performance (aka Performance 3D). Go to the GPU driver config page (right click on the desktop, Properties, Advanced, Settings, GPU): select Power Saving for battery, and Max Performance for AC Power (if you're gaming or using GPU-intensive apps); or Balanced for AC Power (if you don't game nor use GPU-intensive apps).
nVidia cards in Vista: In theory, the GPU power profile should be controlled via the Vista power profile (see below for the procedure). In practice, I have found that the driver ignores the Vista profile settings, and the GPU profile adjusts automatically according to load. Also, lower clocks are used on battery. Nevertheless, this lack of control could have been due to a problem with my particular setup, so I cover the (theoretical) procedure for GPU profile control below.
I assume your laptop uses the PCI Express interface for the GPU. That is the case for virtually all current dedicated GPUs. If your GPU is integrated, those are much more power-efficient, and the default power profiles will probably be good enough for you. Click the battery icon in the system tray, then select More Power Options, and from the ensuing page, click Change plan settings, and from the next page select Change Advanced Power Settings. Power saving profile: Select from the dropdown list the powerplan(s) that you use for conserving power (by default, Vista uses Battery Saving on battery and Balanced on AC power). Look for the PCI Express setting, expand it, and set the Link State Power Management to Maximum Power Savings both on battery and on AC power. High performance profile: Select from the dropdown list the powerplan(s) that you use for high performance (e.g., High Performance). Expand PCI Express setting, and set the Link State Power Management to Off both on battery and on AC power. Now you only need to use a power-saving Vista profile when you want your GPU to consume less power, and a high-performance Vista profile when you want it to go full-speed.
It is possible (in theory and practice) to also lower the clocks for the GPU profiles, using software such as Riva Tuner. This can be used to emulate to an extent explicitly controlled GPU profiles.
Windows no longer starts! How can I fix it?
Posted by Anbu on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Problem:
Windows no longer starts! How can I fix it?
Solution:
If Windows doesn't boot at all, you can try making it bootable again with the Recovery Console. For that, you need a clean Windows installation CD (XP or Vista depending on what you have). For Vista, there is a separate, downloadable CD image containing the Recovery Console (google for it), so that you need not buy a separate OS CD if you don't have one. Boot the recovery console from that CD, and type at the command prompt:
fixmbr
fixboot
That will rebuild the boot settings of Windows. Be aware though if you do multiple-boots with other OSes (Linux for instance): those OSes might (and probably will) become unbootable!
If Windows does try to boot, but hangs somewhere after that, try first to boot the "Last Known Good Configuration". To do that, press F8 at the initial Windows loading bar. Select "Last Known Good Configuration" and let the machine try to start Windows. If the last known good configuration doesn't work, reboot and press F8 again, then boot in safe mode and try restoring the computer to a point where it was running properly, using the Backup and Restore center (in Vista) or System Restore (in XP).
If after that Windows is still not running properly, you can try repairing the installation using the Recovery Console (get to the Recovery Console as described in the first paragraph). Please search other guides for details on the procedure.
Windows no longer starts! How can I fix it?
Solution:
If Windows doesn't boot at all, you can try making it bootable again with the Recovery Console. For that, you need a clean Windows installation CD (XP or Vista depending on what you have). For Vista, there is a separate, downloadable CD image containing the Recovery Console (google for it), so that you need not buy a separate OS CD if you don't have one. Boot the recovery console from that CD, and type at the command prompt:
fixmbr
fixboot
That will rebuild the boot settings of Windows. Be aware though if you do multiple-boots with other OSes (Linux for instance): those OSes might (and probably will) become unbootable!
If Windows does try to boot, but hangs somewhere after that, try first to boot the "Last Known Good Configuration". To do that, press F8 at the initial Windows loading bar. Select "Last Known Good Configuration" and let the machine try to start Windows. If the last known good configuration doesn't work, reboot and press F8 again, then boot in safe mode and try restoring the computer to a point where it was running properly, using the Backup and Restore center (in Vista) or System Restore (in XP).
If after that Windows is still not running properly, you can try repairing the installation using the Recovery Console (get to the Recovery Console as described in the first paragraph). Please search other guides for details on the procedure.
