Choto Cheeta Online

As usual, this post is also inspired by the questions I have received via emails.

Many of us have bought Notebook just an year ago and many of them have increased the warranty of their product for another 2 years. With warranty or without it, a notebook bought just an year ago would have good configuration to run Windows XP and basic office and home entertainment applications for another year or 2 at-least.

But there is one major draw back with any mid range of entry level notebook bought a year or year and a half ago. That is, a missing DVD writer. Most of these notebooks come with Combo drive which means support for reading DVD only.

A Combo drive is a type of optical drive that combines CD-R/CD-RW recording capability with the ability to read (but not write) DVD media.

With ever increasing size of our personal pictures taken from high megapixel digital camera and needs to convert a video taken on a handy cam to DVD or burning your favorite videos to DVD would require a DVD writer. Unfortunately a laptop / notebook internal DVD writer or as some call it RAMBO would cost Rs. 7500 or higher when taken from computer vendors like, Dell / HP / Acer / Lenovo.

So the question comes up, is there any portable but external solution available which may do the job without affecting the warranty ? Once again, available options like, an External USB DVD writer would cost you more or less the same amount as a internal optical drive !!

However there is one low-tech solution available for this, which is making an internal 5.25″ desktop DVD writer to work with your notebook.

Let us take a quick look at available 5.25″ casing for external DVD writer.

Intel LGA775 socket is here since Pentium 4 prescot range !!! Intel have all shorts of processors with LGA775 from the lowest end Celeron LGA775 and upto the highest end 45nm Core 2 eXtreme, yet all of them come with identical looking socket 775 heat sink and fan.

Firmware is a part of any hardware, which you use. Its the basic software part of the hardware. Your digital camera, micro woven, electronic calculator, watches all contains a software part which is called the firmware.

One of the device which you may use extensively would be your mobile phone. Just like any other interactive electronic device, your mobile phone too has its own firmware.

In short, firmware is like an OS to your phone. Therefore just like in your PC, Windows as an OS would need occasional update for addressing both security and performance issues, your phone manufacturers too issues update for your phone’s software or firmware !!

What exactly are you upgrading ??

Its the Phone’s inbuilt Software (OS / firmware) which is the software that is embedded in the memory of your device, and includes applications such as the calendar and phone book. This is similar to the operating system software on your PC. The update consists of new features, applications, and performance improvements to the software.

Why would you need an upgrade ??

Complex handsets require intelligent software to make them work. These software would require updates both to address their performance with new and upcoming software and hardware as well as to offer your security and new features.

Prerequisite before update !!

• Internet connection to download the updates
• PC with USB 2.0 support / Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista / 256 MB RAM
• Supported handset and connectivity cable
• Back up before starting the update process.
• Read the FAQs (Nokia / Sony / Motorola)

Where to find the PC software to update the firmware ?

• Nokia Global / Nokia India
• Sony Ericsson Update Service
• Motorola India

An example with Nokia 6233

Nokia 6233, released in year 2005 is a very successful model from the company. Though its almost 3 year old model but its still in production and well preferred world wide.

Back in school, in our literature classes we read about poet Jibanananda Das, who died under a tram. I used to wonder how can one die under a tram ? As those who are in Kolkata or ever been in Kolkata would know, tram is one of the noisiest and slowest moving vehicle in the traffic.

Today I experienced 1st hand as how true and possible it was to die under a tram.

Yes, you are reading right, legally you can watch or stream IPL (Indian Premiere league) T20 (Twenty - Twenty) matches live via Internet.

The official BBCI T20 web site, http://www.IPLT20.com is broadcasting / streaming the matches live. You may need at-least a 2 MBPS connection to stream it without much of a lag, though while testing I have found there are little video lag (drop in fame rate) but commentary (voice) runs with out any lag.

Its BSNL 8 MBPS which makes the most out of this feature. I have tested and found BSNL 8MBPS is able to run it with good frame rate and without any lag whats so ever.

Unfortunate for most 256 / 512 kbps unlimited users as the service is quite unusable with such low bandwidth !!

One more interesting fact I must mention is, the telecast is the same which we see on TV but in iplt20.com, there is 0 ads in the telecast, so I quite enjoy watching the matches there at web broadcast.

Brief history of IPL

England and Europe has their football league, where as USA as their NFL to support and chear about. Where as now, in India we have one of our own event to talk about.

Cricket is the biggest religion of India and subcontinent and our cricketers are like god to us. The game is invented in England but undoubtedly its been mastered by Indians. India cricket board, the BCCI is the richest cricket board of the world, richer than cricketing controller of world, ICC itself.

There used to be some off record talk on BCCI to ruling the cricket world by the power of its money. Last 3 days brought the matter right on to the record. England is the only country which is known for 1st class cricket where cricketers from different country go for country cricket matches.

BCCI, known for only performing at International arena, is now changing that aspect with one single blow.

T20, known to most as twenty-twenty cricket, invented in south africa, practiced by AUSSY and West Indians, is now the weapon for BCCI to change the definition of  Indian domestic cricket.

Congrats to  Kolkata Knight Riders

World’s top players are now playing under our IPL T20 club team, one of which is Team Kolkata or also known as Kolkata Knight Riders

Money power and the passion of local crowed is making this event of IPL a real big success and players are now taking this as bigger than their own international matches.

Hats off to Kolkata Knight Riders, led by prince of Kolkata, the most successful captain of Indian cricket, dada him self, Saurav Ganguly, on their 2nd successive victory in IPL.

I am supporting my home team Kolkata, whom are you with ??

Last 6 month or so were really good for this web site. The ChotoCheeta.com grew in good pace. One of this back end thing which allowed ChotoCheeta.com to grow in such speed is the hosting it self.

I am hosted with eWebGuru.com and hosted for last 6 month or so. Its a shared hosting, which means there would be many web site under same Server / VPS / IP residing side by side.

ChotoCheeta.com is hosted with basic plan of eWebguru.com which provides 20 GB bandwidth a month and it is eating around 70% to 82% of a the bandwidth a month, at-least I can judge that I am allowed to utilize the promised bandwidth.

Few things which I like about eWebguru.com which anchors me with this hosting are,

• I am allowed to use full quota of my hosting plan !!
• Good support - response time.
• Really attractive pricing.

However there are few things which I don’t like about eWebGuru.com as with ChotoCheeta.com my visitors reports to face Error 500 (Internal server error) often and I have had down times.

Even though there are few down side of this hosting but still it is good enough for my site thus allowing me to not to worry about the hosting in near future at-least !!

For a web site like mine, eWebGuru.com definitely bags enough juice.

There are few must install software for any Desktop - notebook Windows installation and one of which is this free software called CCleaner.

What is CCleaner ?

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware !

This is what the official web site says, how ever to make it simple, when you run Windows and other application, such as photo shop / word / video editing software / Internet browser and any other, every time they run, they create large amount of temporary files in your system.

As you access each software and use them those also creates large number of registry entry and system short cuts (such as recently used documents). When you stop using those application you are not in need of those entries any more but they are left in your system for future references.

This is where CCleaner comes in. It scans and cleans all these junk to free up HDD space and registry entry to fasten up the system performance.

How do you use CCleaner ?

There is a common theory among many of us, about any system configuration applications that they are hard to use as well as they screw up the system.

However this is what I like about this software. The best part is, its really easy to use, as simple as few steps.

Step 1 - Obtain & install the application

Visit CCleaner.com to download this 3 MB file and start the installation, when prompt remove all entries accept Start Menu short cuts and Automatically check for CCleaner updates.

Step 2 - Start and Clean your system

Yes, it is that simple. No other configuration is needed, simply start the application and hit Analyze button.

Notice how much junk is detected and how much can be removed, and hit the Run CCleaner button to execute the cleaning process.

Few Facts which I Like

• Free Software with no ads or any such.
• Simple 3 MB Download.
• Preconfigured - as an user you just need to run it.
• Compatible with Windows XP (x86 / x64) Windows Vista (x86 / x64).
• Maintenance free.

Nokia software updater is a software with allows you to update your phone’s (compatible) firmware by downloading the latest from Nokia web service !!

Nokia software updater is a free software available to all supported Nokia phone owners via their web site.

What is the BUG ?

Nokia software update crashes every time when you want to start it under Windows Vista.

Process to replicate the action ?

• You must be using Windows Vista RTM (Home / Home premium / Business / Ultimate).
• Download and install Nokia software updater (NSU) from their web site (version 1.4.36 en).
• Start the Application

Expected result ?

The application would freeze (Hang / halts) at start up window, displaying,

Nokia Software Updater
v1.4.36en

Starting application…

After a minute or so, an error appears informing you,

Missing Software components

Critical software components are missing.
Please reinstall.

Nokia Official Word in it ?

Run the application under Windows XP compatibility mode without any visual theme or desktop composition and with administrator access. Stop any running firewall or Internet security / Anti Virus application.

How ever still the issue is not solved, the result is the same stop error. Further more as a customer you are suppose to contact nearest service center, and in India, service center has no idea about this application, they would only service the hardware (handset only).

Nokia has not accepted the bug. Therefore no official solution for this possible bug yet.

As the CD Writer came to the market, apart from Windows, there is another software which became a must install software for any PC.

The Ahead Nero.

Nero 5 was the version which had made the way for its successors. Nero 5.5 or rather the 1st Nero Express version was one of the favorite burner by most of the Windows users.

Ahead as a company, almost took a monopoly over burning software segment by bundling Nero with any burner sold.

What is the problem with Nero ??

Undoubtedly, Nero express 5.5 was the most preferred and liked software from Nero family, however as the company released updates and made new versions the popularity started coming down.

Though as said before, although, Nero almost had a monopoly over burning market, as strong as, most people didn’t even knew about Windows own burning utility, but still the newer versions started making people thing for alternative.

One of the primary reason is the resource hungriness of the newer versions. Nero 7 and now the latest version 8 is quite heavy of system memory.

Alternate ?

Today I would be having a quick look at one of the possible alternate to Nero. I am using word possible because, though, nero is resource hungry but still its one of the versatile burning software supporting almost all type of recording formats, media and burners.

One software which can replace the Nero for you would be Ashampoo Burning Studio. The software is priced at USD 40 compare to Nero 8 which is USD 80.

Let us take a quick look at Ashampoo Burning Studio, from a point a view of a Nero user, as how is this software performing for most of our day to day burning needs.

When shorting my emails for ChotoCheeta.com, I realize that percentage of email question asking for ways to get most out of their notebook battery is quite high !

Therefore I thought of listing few basic steps one may take to get the most out of their notebook/laptop battery.

Check list before purchasing

If you are just about to purchase a notebook and looking for better battery life, then please consider the bellow listed factors.

• 9 Cell battery will offer better battery backup over standard 6 cell ones.
• Smaller screen size would offer better battery backup over a large screen notebook.
• Solid State hard drives consumes less power than normal SATA or PATA hard drives.
• Read the company specification, on their statement of battery backup time !!

Please note, while you order any notebook, you may chose the option to upgrade from standard 6 cell battery pack to 9 cell battery pack, which though would make the notebook a bit heavy but will certainly offer 25% more backup.

13″ or 12″ models would offer better battery back up over a 15″ or 17″ notebook. Large screen would definitely consume more power. Therefore those who needs a notebook for long battery backup usage, should eye for ultra small notebooks like 13″ dell XPS or such !!

Solid State Hard disk comes with no rotating or moving parts thus its really low in power usage and therefore allowing better battery back up time.

Before you make a purchase, do read the company statement on their expected battery backup time.

How to make most out of the notebook battery

There are few tips which you may follow to get most out of your notebook battery.

Use only certified hardware

When you are buying notebook accessories, like upgrading the RAM module or Hard drive, buy only those products or accessories which are certified by your notebook / laptop manufacturer. An uncertified device may consume more power thus reducing the expected battery backup time.

Use only certified Operating System

A notebook would contain information like, Built for “Windows XP” or may be like, built for “Windows Vista“. You may find the sticker of software certifications like,

Using any other OS on a device which is meant for a certain OS would cause poor battery backup, as there wont be proper driver support to maximize the system performance. Therefore, use only a certified OS with your Notebook / Laptop.

Use Up to Date Device drivers and softwares

It is really important that you keep your system device drivers up to date. Device drivers are meant to provide your OS the capability to use your hardwares properly and to obtain optimal performance.

One very common mistake as an user you may make is installing drivers from CD / DVD provided by your PC manufacturer, as it is possible that when you are installing drivers from DVD / CD which comes with your notebook. Do note, it is out dated and your PC manufacturer has uploaded newer and better drivers on their support web site.

• HP / Compaq Support
• Lenovo / IBM
• Acer Support
• Sony Vaio

Microsoft as an OS developer would issue critical OS updates which are not only important for your system but also helps to keep an healthy OS which would ensure best performance and optimal battery life. Therefore keep auto update turned on for your Microsoft Windows.