Microsoft Virtual WiFi on HP laptops howto

Well,here’s the quick and dirty guide to getting MS Virtual WiFi on most HP-series laptops. First, I sincerely recommend using the marvelous HP SoftPaq download to do the heavy lifting in this little exercise.

Now,the Quick and dirty guide to getting the whole thing working! First download the current SoftPaq manager (I’ve linked to the newest available one – 3.0.0.0 – contained in driver pack sp42858. After you download it, follow the onscreen prompts for the program to show updates only for your current hardware and windows version. In my case It successfully recognized my Compaq615 and that I’m running a Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and it showed the available current drivers and system enhancements for your hardware:

I’d recommend to install everything listed in here IF you have a clean windows installation or if you’ve used only the drivers which your computer autodetected and/or downloaded from windows update. If however you’ve done some driver downloading from the HP website I’d recommend to select the check for update tab, which’ll sort out the clutter and will only leave you the updates… Now, in our case we’re interested in the highlighted two drivers ( At least for the x64 Windows 7, BUT for the other W7’s and maybe Vistas(untested) it’ll be a similar pair of results (in my case i’ve already downloaded and istalled ‘em, but you catch my drift:

As we see, one is the newest available WLAN driver, whereas the other contains the Extensions to the basic package. ( By the way, the same extension set is useful for most CISCO users). After the needed download/install procedure (fully automated by the way), you should be ready to party with a second available WLAN connection without actually forking out some cash to get a second W_Card:

In my case, I used the third-party program Connectify (Beta) to create a Wireless hotspot, which “shares” my home WLAN connection to a second WLAN network via the same card.

If this information was in any way helpful to you, please feel free to support me by clicking a random ad on my page!

bk109 out

Broadcom Wireless Cards On Ubuntu 9.10 – How to do it offline!

 

First things first, I am not the guy who first suggested it, nor am I attempting to take credit for popularizing it. I only thing that a lot of Ubuntu newbies are a bit apprehensive of the whole Linux experience and tend to avoid it after the first snag in of using it. So here is the most painless way to get the Broadcom wireless card working in 9.10 without resorting to wired connections to the nearest Internet point to get the new one or fooling around with the various system folders in /etc . So here’s what you have to do, on a sheet of paper(low tech,eh?) write down the following module names – dkms, fakeroot, patch,(found in CD(USB) install source\pool'\ main each in a folder denoted by the first letter of the package) and b43-fwcutter (should be either in main or restricted).

Now,after the Great Leap Linuxward, you’ll notice that the WLAN card that used to work great in LiveCD mode suddenly is not even showing as “connected”. Now, you could try to activate the Driver from Hardware (Also useful for getting ATI or NVIDIA cards to start dishing out the eyecandy) and press activate. If it works,you should get a confirmation for a restart . Do it! If you’re one of the few lucky Ubuntu users who get their WLAN back by doing this, CONGRATS! If you’re one of the 99% of people who are experiencing problems, just start your ubuntu, navigate to the installation media and navigate to the previously mentioned .deb packages. Do a right click each of them and select the GDEBI option (should be second or third from the top) and install the first group in whatever order you wish, but the b43-fwcutter should be installed last! Now, restart the computer and you should be able to quickly check if the wireless card works just by A) pressing the on/off switch for the card , which should change its state ONLY if you did a successful installation or B) do a left click on the network icon in the upper right part of the the desktop and it should give you the list of detected wireless networks, enjoy!

On the plus side, Ubuntu 9.10 doesn’t have the same graphics problems as its predecessor! Also of note is that the audio for all those DELL’s, HP’s et all using the IDT sound card should work straight out of the installation as opposed to the 9.04 mega-tweak experience.

bk109 out helping the Linux newbies avoid the mistakes a certain someone did the last time Ubuntu, Fatigue and Whiskey came together ! :D

Basic Power saving techniques for Notebooks and especially the COMPAQ 615 and the MSI EX630

 

Well,here are the basic tips to improve the battery life of your laptop:

1- Predetermine what you’ll want to do with the laptop in battery mode. --- This will help you determine how aggressive can you be in your pursuit to extend your battery life.

2- Keep your display dimmed as much as possible, because it’s one of the biggest power-hogs in you laptop. For example,you can get up to 2:30 hrs of DVD playback on the Compaq 615 and up to 2hrs on the MSI EX630 by keeping your display to the 30% Brightness setting.

3- Forget using most Linux distributions as an alternative OS, which will help you “open that one facebook page” more on battery. It is true that some Linux distributions could last out a bit more than Windows or MacOs, but to be able to reach that level of efficiency, you’ve got to have quite a bit knowledge how to debug your Linux.

4- Keep your WLAN card off when running on DC unless you need it! This way you could get some 20-30 minutes more in Ms Word or 15 mins of the new House MD eppy.

4.5- When you are using it, check in Power Options that it’s running in Maximum Powersaving mode. HOWEVER, if you are experiencing connectivity issues, use the next highest powersaving method until you get one that will keep you online,while still skimping on the battery usage

5- If you are able to do so, don’t leave both the WLAN and the Bluetooth module working at the same time (valid for at least the Compaq and the MSI)

6- Remove any idle accessories from the ‘book when' you’re using it on DC. Whenever possible, remove USB dongles,Hubs, Memory cards, Keyboards or Mice. Everything uses a bit of the battery, especially the firewire and USB accessories!

7- For the love of God, throttle your CPU if you’re just using you ‘book for web browsing or Standard Definition video watching on DC power. In the power options menu choose 5% minimum processor state and 50% maximum (ON BATTERY)!

8- Always use the latest drivers and BIOS available for your system. A nice touch would be to tweak the time to stand-by on battery for the sound card – around 30-60 seconds is a nice idea, because it will save you some 20-30 minutes of battery time on the MSI.

9- Avoid using a floppy(if you own one) or DVD/CD/BR when on DC power whenever possible!

10- Whenever applicable leave the ‘book in sleep mode or at least with a turned-down screen (like when you’re using it to listen to music)

11- Respect your battery – Don’t let it get too cold or too cold. Try not overusing it( Valid mostly for NiCd and NiMH, but also of some consideration for the Lithium ones)

12- And finally, try not overworking you lappy on DC, because 4hrs of Internet are equal to only about 90-120mins of World In Conflict or Modern Warfare 2.

bk109 out to finally flush it down the can! :D

The Compaq 615 Fan Noise Problem-o

Well, judging by the HP’s hardware forums, the Compaq 615 is suffering a bit with a case of the BANSHEE cooling fan. I’ve noticed the same problem with it at first, but there are some ways to alleviate the worst signs of the problem.

FIRST!- Check your Bios settings and confirm that you’ve got always run fan on AC. It might sound strange,to keep down the noise by running the fan continuously, but it has some merit. The main problem most users seems to be that they are running it in the normal off-on-off mode, which means that it is off until the CPU heat sensors pass a certain threshold (around 60 degrees I think) and force it to run at high speed to bring the temp down to a more normal 45ish and then proceed to shut down again. By forcing the fan to run constantly on AC it will run in the near silence and will keep the temp a bit more steady and it will rarely kick into high gear.

SECOND!- For the love of FRAGS, you’re using a notebook, so using  “Performance” as a power plan is a BAD IDEA. It will force the CPU to run on idle at the full frequency/voltage, so it will generate more heat and it will cause the fan to work more to keep up with it! The best thing you could do is to select either HP-Optimized or if you don’t have it as an option, use Balanced and tweak it a bit to further suit it to your needs. In my case, I keep the minimum processor state at 5% and a max of 100 when running on ac and 50% on DC. Another good idea might be to set the “Ati Powerplay” option to Maximize battery life on both AC and DC if you’re not using you notebook to the fullest of its potential – In other words, if you use it for twitter,facebook and YouTube, it means you!

THIRD!-Stick a book or a couple of erasers beneath it to keep the back end of the ‘book a couple of santimeters above the front end, which will improve the air circulation, while saving you the money for a notebook stand!

So, these are the basic ways to solve your noisy fan issues with the Compaq 615 (and frankly most other notebooks out there) without resorting to either the warranty or to a warranty-voiding expedition beneath the back panel of the ‘book.

bk109 out … not… cause the weather sucks this week here in Dublin

A little test of MS Live Writer

The Best Divorce letter ever

Dear Connie,
I know the counsellor said we shouldn’t contact each other during our “cooling off” period but I couldn’t wait anymore
The day you left I swore I’d never talk to you again but that was just the wounded little boy in me talking. Still, I never wanted to be the first one to make contact. In my fantasies, it was always you who would come back to me. I guess my pride needed that. But, now I see that my pride’s cost me a lot of things. I’m tired of pretending I don’t miss you. I don’t care about looking bad anymore. I don’t care who makes the first move as long as one of us does. Maybe it’s time we let our hearts speak as loudly as our hurt.
This is what my heart says “There’s no one like you, Connie. I look in the eyes and at the breasts of every woman I see, but they’re not you. They’re not even close.”
Two weeks ago I met this girl at Flamingos and brought her home with me. I don’t say this to hurt you, but just to illustrate the depth of my desperation. She was young, maybe 19, with one of those perfect bodies that only youth and maybe a childhood spent ice skating can give you. Tits like you wouldn’t believe and an *** that just wouldn’t quit. Every man’s dream, right?
As I sat on the couch being blown by this stunner, I thought, look at the stuff we’ve made important in our lives. It’s all so superficial. What does a perfect body mean? Does it make her a better in bed? Well, in this case, yes, but you can see what I’m getting at. Does this make her a better person? Does she have a better heart than my moderately attractive Connie? I doubt it. And I’d never thought of that before. I don’t know maybe I’m just growing up a little.
Later, after I’d tossed her about a half a pint of throat yogurt, I found myself thinking, “Why do I feel so drained and empty” It wasn’t just her flawless technique or her slutty shameless hunger but something else. Some nagging feeling of loss? Why did it feel so incomplete? And then it hit me. It didn’t feel the same because you weren’t there to watch. Do you know what I mean? Nothing feels the same without you. Jesus, Connie, I’m going crazy without you. And everything I do just reminds me of you.
Do you remember Carol, that single Mum we met at the Holiday Inn lounge last year? Well, she dropped by last week with a pan of lasagne. She said she figured I wasn’t eating right without a woman around. I didn’t know what she meant till later. But that’s not the real story. Anyway, we had a few glasses of wine and the next thing you know, we’re banging away in our old bedroom. And this tart’s a total monster in the sack. She’s giving me everything, you know, like a real women does when she’s not hung up about her weight or her career and whether the kids can hear us. All fo a sudden, she spots that tilting mirror on your grandmother’s old vanity. She puts it on the floor and we straddle it, right so we can watch ourselves. And it’s totally hot, but it makes me sad too because I can’t help thinking, “Why didn’t Connie ever put the mirror on the floor? ”We’ve had this old vanity for what? 14 years? And we never used it as a sex toy.”
Saturday, your sister drops by with my copy of the restraining order. I mean, Vicki’s just a kid and all. But she’s got pretty good head on her shoulders and she’s been a real friend to me during this painful time. She’s given me lots of good advice about you and about women in general. She’s pulling for us to get back together. Connie, she really is.
So, we’re doing jell-o shots in a hot bubble bath and talking about happier times. Here’s this teenage girl with the same DNA as you and all I can do is think of how much she looked like you when you were 18. And that just about makes me cry. And then it turns out Vicky’s really into the whole anal thing, that gets me to thinking about how many times I pressured you about trying it and how that probably fuelled some of the bitterness between us. But do you see how even then, when I’m thrusting inside your baby sister’s cinnamon ring , all I can do is think of you. It’s true, Connie. In your heart you must know it. Don’t you think we could start over? Just wipe out all the grievances away and start fresh? I think we can. If you feel the same, please, please, please let me know.
Otherwise, can you let me know where the f**king remote is
Love
Dan

 

If this shit is real,daaaaaaaang ! Dan has some real issues!!!