Choto Cheeta Online

New PC buyers would be facing one major questions, though its quite confirm that it would be a Core 2 (Duo / Quad) processor but now there is 2 versions of it. The 65nm Conroe batch and 45nm Penryn batch.

Many would be thinking whats the difference between these 45nm Core 2 Duo / Quad vs 65nm Core 2 Duo / Quad processors ?

I would be trying to list few basic difference between these processors from an end user point a view. The immediate difference one may find is their identifying model numbers.

• nm stands for nano meter.
• Code name of Intel processors comes from the a name of any local neighborhood near by to the Intel development facility in which it is developed

Intel 65nm processors are the 1st batch of Core architecture product code named Conroe / Conroe XE / Conroe L / Allendale / Merom / Merom XE / Kentsfield / Kentsfield XE.

Intel 45nm Penryn processors are the second batch of the successful Core architecture with Code name Penryn / Wolfdale / Yorkfield / Yorkfield XE.

Every single Intel processor model has their unique identification numbers, the 65nm numbers are as follows with relationship of their code name.

The 65nm Core 2 batch is as follows, it contains Dual Core desktop and notebook as well as Quad core desktop processors.

Many of computer users who are early adapters of Windows Vista likes to have both their previous version and newer version of OS under dual boot mode.

One common problem with newer hardware and older Microsoft OS such as Windows XP is the incompatibility of SATA controllers.

Most of the newer desktop and notebooks are now days coming with SATA HDD instead of older and slower PATA versions, however the major problem with Windows XP is one must install the SATA controller drivers while booting via their floppy drive but here catch is, how many of us now days have a floppy drive ?

To avoid this problem of no hard disk at the time of installation of Windows XP / 2000 / Server 2003 which needs floppy disk to load the SATA controller driver, all modern computer BIOS offers option to emulate the Hard disk operation mode.

All though this would solve the problem of legacy pre Windows Vista OS installation problem, however often windows vista crashes while running under a PC which has SATA HDD operation mode emulated to IDE.

Microsoft has a patch for all version of Windows Vista to solve this problem.

When a SATA hard disk on a Windows Vista-based computer is operating in Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) mode, the computer may crash.

Please note, if you have a single boot system running with SATA HDD, its always recommended not to emulate the SATA HDD operation mode to IDE. This is only for those who are willing to run under dual boot with pre Windows Vista OSes.

A couple of years back, ASUS announced the XG station. Which was meant as an external heavy duty graphics card solution for NoteBooks / Laptops via express card connectors. However it never made it to the mainstream retail market.

Where as now its AMD which is carrying the dream forward with their latest ATi XGP platform. It would be only usable on specially developed notebooks equipped with external PCIe 2.0 connector.

Soon after Dell shows off their plans for these 7″ ultra portable notebook (NetBook) segment, it is now Acer, who is officially launching their version of vision for NetBook segment, the Acer Aspire One.

Powered by Intel Atom processor and price at around USD 400 (for Linux version with SSD) certainly looks a good deal.

Certainly with its look and configuration it may through a good competition to current segment leader Asus EEEPC.

• 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 LED-backlit display
• 1.6GHz Atom N270 with Intel G945 (GMA 950)
• 512MB DDR2 SDRAM (expandable)
• 1.3 megapixel camera, SDHC and multi-format media readers
• 802.11b/g, Ethernet, three USB 2.0, VGA, and 3.5mm audio out
• One free mini PCI slot for WWAN
• 80GB hard drive (with XP) or 8GB solid state (with Linux)
• 2.5 or 5 hours on 3 or 6-cell batteries in XP model, 3 or 7 hours on Linux
• 1kg (2.2 pounds)

Configuration with expandable RAM is quite powerful enough to drive vista also !!!

What does it mean to Indian consumer ?

Its unfortunate but no time soon we may expect it, and even though it comes would be priced around Rs. 18k for the linux 8 GB version.

Though all companies have the target to push these ultra portable NetBooks to the emerging markets of developing countries, but infact it best suites those who already have a powerful PC at home and office.

Ask your self if you are from a developing country that if this going to be your 1st notebook or PC, would you spend USD 500 on this type of device or buy a complete desktop with multi core processor ? Where as when you have a Desktop for bulk of your job and entertainment, these NetBooks look so promising and attractive for staying online (emailing, chat, blog) while you are mobile !!!

Microsoft Windows XP finds a new life via these ultra portable 7″ / 8″ / 10″ NetBook devices.

Today at Computex currently running at Taiwan, Microsoft has issued a press bulletin stating that company is in work with 20 different OEM PC manufactures, including Dell / HP / ASUS / GigaByte / Lenovo / Acer to deliver the ultra portable products with Windows XP.

These Ultra portable notebooks commonly coming with 7″ / 8″ / 10″ displays are meant to target this new emerging market of developing countries, hence the configuration is not powerful enough to drive Windows Vista in it.

This can be seen as move to not allowing Open Source OSes (Linux) to capture this segment of market.

Incidentally, 1st generation of ultra portables, such as ASUS EEEPC or HCL Mileap included Linux as their primary Operating system.

ASUS to be the 1st motherboard makers to support the new 140W TDP AMD Phenom X4 (9900) AM+ processors. The company has issued a press bulletin listing the motherboards which would support the power hungry performance processors from AMD Phenom X4 (Quad Core) line up.

The list of motherboards to support the upcoming 140W AMD Phemon X4 (Quad Core) processors are,

Nvidia Gaming seriese

Crosshair II Formula under platform -> nForce 780a SLI

Nvidia chipsets

M3N-HT Deluxe/Mempipe under platform -> nForce 780a SLI

M3N-HT Deluxe/HDMI under platform -> nForce 780a SLI

M3N72-D under platform -> nForce 750a SLI

M3N78 PRO under platform -> GeForce 8300

M3N78-VM under platform -> GeForce 8200

AMD (ATi) Chipset

M3A32-MVP Deluxe/WiFi-AP under platform -> 790FX/SB600

M3A32-MVP Deluxe under platform -> 790FX/SB600

M3A78 PRO under platform -> 780G/SB700

M3A78-EM under platform -> 780G/SB700

The Planet, one of the largest operator in US lost their Houston H1 data center facility on 31st of May due to electrical fire.

As per their official forum, the primary transformer suppling power to the facility caught fire and actually exploded. The explosion caused serious damaged to the buildings electrical system. It was so powerful that it knocked 3 walls down.

Local state Fire fighters didn’t allow the company to run any back up electrical source like their heavy duty generators forcing the facility to completely go off line.

For information, the Planet primarily hosts many of the hosting service providers. Hence not only their direct customers but rather many indirect customers found their services to be effected with this incident.

The Planet as confirmed that there is no physical damage to any of the servers or networking / computing equipment, however at this point they are still working round the clock to asses and repair the damage done.

Incidentally, ChotoCheeta.com is hosted at The Planet’s Dallas facility !!!

We have already seen ASUS EEEPC and HCL 7″ MiLeap entering the market by creating a new form factor for ultra portable notebooks.

Now it seems to be Dell’s turn to enter the 7″ notebook segment.

It is reported by gizmodo.com that Dell CEO, Michael Dell is been found carrying a prototype of this device at D6 conference. Though no official configuration are given, but as per him this would target the markets of developing counties.

Computers are every where, no matter which field you are in, working or studying, entertainment or research, computers are have now become a part of your life.

So many people here in this blog as looking for a suggestion on what to buy as a desktop, so I thought let me list few basic configuration based on certain needs and budget which may guide you to choose the right combination of hardware configuration for you.

Desktop Hardware buying guide for June 2008

Source and discussion place -> TechBengal.com

Over last year, 40 to 45% of response I have received via my blog is on this subject. So many of my visitors is asking about information on what to purchase with their certain budget and need.

The fashion statement for a notebook is how small it is, how light it is, and off course how slim it is.

Infact the notebooks are getting so slim that they may cut you in half. One story which I think worth to read is this one, as a German user claims that the sharp edges of his MacBook Air (the worlds slimmest notebook) makes him bleed as he types in it.

MacBook Air is a product which Apple users them self are unhappy with because of the price and poor features which it bags. Some finds better use for the device as may be slicing breads with it ?

In just 5 years we have climbed a long way up in the Internet speed ladder. I can remember my self back in 2001, seating in the same chair, typing on the same keyboard, and accessing the Internet via BSNL landline (PSTN) with Satyam (Sify) dial up connection on my P-II 400 MHz with 128 MB of RAM .

Rs. 450/- which I used to pay for 1 month of Dial up pack (20 hours of access) to Sify and Rs. 1.26/- per call (near about Rs. 24 per hour) to BSNL for their PSTN access charge !!!

Once you have successfully slipstreamed a service pack under Windows XP installation source, the next question which comes to your mind is how do you burn / write those installation files under a boot-able CD ROM so that you may boot with it and install your copy of Windows XP. This bellow article would try to provide a step by step guide on How to burn / write a bootable Windows XP installation CD ROM.

Prerequisite

• A PC with CD-RW drive
• One 700 MB CD-R (blank) media
• Windows OS
• Nero burning ROM
• Complete Windows XP installation Files
• Windows XP Boot image

How do your create a boot-able CD Media ?

Please start the Nero burning rom application and select CD-ROM (Boot) as what you wish to burn and please provide the path of Windows XP Boot image (you may download it from here, or use Bart’s Boot Image Extractor)

In the advance option, please make sure you select Kind of Emulation as No Emulation, and Boot Message should be as Microsoft Corporation where as the value of Number of load sectors is suppose to be 4. Rest all should stay default.

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.