Michael Simpson's Blog
Posted by Michael Simpson
The OLPC, One Laptop Per Child, spent last week doing a test production run of the notebook they have designed that will, if all goes well, allow third world countries to buy laptops for $100 and give them to school children. This would allow them to keep pace, from a technological standpoint, with the rest of the world.
I've been following this story for several years, and have been quite impressed with the results. The systems feature a 366 MHz AMD Geode processor with 128 MB of RAM. For storage it has a 512 MB Flash unit. There are also four USB ports as well as a Wi-Fi chipset that is provided by Marvell.
Currently the price is expected to be about $130 each, but it is expected to drop to the promised $100 by 2008.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
Micro-Star International has recently unveiled its P6N Diamond and P6N SLI Platinum motherboards which support Intel's quad-core Core 2 Extreme QX6700. Obviously aimed at the high-end gaming segment, MSI has already introduced quad-core supporting motherboards, including its 975X Platinum PowerUp Edition, 965 Platinum, 965 Neo 2, G965MDH and Q965MDO.
This will be great news for gamers, who are chomping at the bit waiting for the chance to run World of Warcraft on a blazing fast system.
Posted by Michael Simpson
There is also the fact that sometimes you can't do things in the GUI that you can in the registry. The biggest thing about messing with the registry is to always do a backup before making any changes.
I've written up a number of registry hacks or tweaks and will continue to write more. If there is anything in particular you want ... let me know.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
I recently wrote an article about my concerns with moving to Vista as soon as it comes out. As the time gets closer and closer, I am wondering more and more what everyone is thinking.
I put up a poll to see what the consensus is. Will you go to Vista as soon as it comes out? Planning on buying a new computer and waiting until Vista comes out so you can get it? Or maybe planning on buying new but getting it with XP anyway?
Fill out the poll so I can get an idea of whether I need to start writing some articles about Vista.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
I was somewhat surprised by how Vista picked up all my devices. My wireless NIC needed drivers installed but everything else worked fine. In fact, if it wasn't for the ridiculous prices, I might be tempted to go ahead and get it.
However, even if everything else was fine Id have to be concerned by this article about the EULA and its affects on system builders.
Professionally I'm concerned by the way that Vista blurs the line between my computer, the network, and the internet. This isn't a problem for me personally. But I am concerned about end-users who aren't quite as technically savvy as most.
If you're using Windows Vista let me know what you think.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
Microsoft has released Internet Explorer a few days ago. Interestingly enough, at the same time, it was anounced that there were some severe vulnerabilities with the new browser. There is even a test function on the page where the vulnerablity is anounced.
Personally I like the layout of IE7 better than FireFox. I like the security of FireFox much better, but IE7 has a little more ease of use. Opening new tabs as opposed to new browsers is more easily accomplished for one thing.
There are also certain types of code that dont work with FireFox that do with IE7. At work this is a huge deal. We have a Web Portal that wont function in FireFox. Thats not a big deal since its inside our network, however it means having two different browsers functioning, and that can be a pain.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
In a recent discussion, I was asked about iadHide and what it was. It brought to mind the fact that alot of "programs" are really just undocumented malware. I personally dont use any kind of Desktop Manager... mainly becuase anything that tracks what Im doing can report that information to the company that created it.
This is one reason I never used AOL. If you use AOL ask yourself this... what is it that AOL downloads on your system when its closing down?... not sure ?.. I dont know either. Im not comfortable letting someone else put things on my computer without my knowledge. At least Microsoft lets me decide on whether I want to install its updates.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
I wrote a short list of keyboard shortcuts that can be used in Windows XP. They will help you navigate if you dont have a mouse for whatever reason. Or they can simply make it easier to get around without having to use a mouse.
You can find the article here. Hope it comes in handy. I plan on writing an article about windows file backups. What kinds there are and how to use them.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
I was working on a freinds computer the other day and realized something. If he knew how to clean up his system, just do some basic maintenance stuff, then I wouldnt have to come over here all the time.
So I wrote up an article about it. Ths way you can clean up your system as well. Its called "7 Easy PC Maintenance Steps".
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Posted by Michael Simpson
The good thing is that I will still be willing to help you out with any questions you have. Even on operating system issues as far back as Windows 3.1 or MS-DOS.
However, if you're still running Windows XP SP 1 and just want to upgrade to SP2 you can always go to Microsofts site to get it.
I've been dual booting my system lately with Windows XP SP2 and Windows Vista RC1. I'm not really any more impressed with it than I was the last release. However, I'm in the process of writing an aritcle on how to do a dual boot system for those of you who would like to try it.
I recently had a chance to talk to the creator of HijackThis, Merijn Bellekom. He asked that anyone using Windows Vista give him a hand by beta testing HijackThis on Vista and sending the results to hjt.vista.beta@gmail.com. He still needs more imput so he can make sure it works.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
I added some entries into the Glossary of Terms. I will also be adding some entries into the Index of XP Services.
I still havent heard anything more about the Volume License Key issue. I do know that it is still continuing and affecting anyone who uses a VLK. Im wondering if this is a way to force people to go over to the new Vista.
According to Microsoft the main way that thier software is pirated is thru the VLK system. With Vista they are moving away from the VLK system to something entirely different.
I hope to have more interviews coming up with people who are making things happen in the computer industry.
Posted by Michael Simpson
In an article I just published, I interview Merijn Bellekom, the creator of HijackThis. During the interview he tells us a little about where HJT came from, where its going and how we can help keep it working well into Vista.
I hope to have more such interviews in the future. Email me know if there is a particular person or group you would like to hear about.
Posted by Michael Simpson
I can only confirm, thats right, CONFIRM , that Microsoft his having a problem with the WGA process when dealing with Volume License Keys (VLK).
According to Microsoft "The issue has been acknowledged internally and the appropriate team is currently working towards resolution, however, an ETA has not been established at this time. " This is VERY bad news for VLK customers who are trying to use Microsoft Update. I will be posting more as I find out. But so far thats all I know.
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Posted by Michael Simpson
I've put up some more reviews. They are all Alienware machines. The Area 51 ALX desktop, and 2 laptops, the Aurora m9700 and the Sentia m3450. All are typical of the quality we always see from Alienware. I'm currently interviewing Merijn Bellokom, the guy who wrote HiJackThis. He has some interesting things to say, I can't wait to share them with you. I'm hoping this will be the first of many interviews I can do with the movers-and-shakers in the IT industry.
Posted by Michael Simpson
I promised to do some hardware reviews, and in the spirit of keeping that promise I wrote the article Hardware Reviews. At the bottom you will note links to the three indexes of reviews. One for Desktop, one for Laptop, and one for general Hardware.
Check them out, I will be updating with new reviews once a week. Let me know if there is anything in particular you want reviewed.
Posted by Michael Simpson
Starting this week I will be doing a hardware review once a week. Sometimes this will be a laptop or PC review. Sometimes it will be a hard drive, power supply, motherboard, AGP ...etc. I will also be doing some comparison testing.
If there is something in particular you would like reviewed, just email me
Posted by Michael Simpson
FrSIRT (French Security Incident Response Team, a security-monitoring company) released a "critical" alert Wednesday, this is its most serious reating. The announcement had to do with IE v5.01 and 6 running on current Windows operating systems.
The problem lies in an ActiveX control dealing with multimedai features and, when viewing a properly encoded web page, the system can be exploited using this, now widely known, flaw.
Unfortunatly, it appears that the Zero-Day code that could be used to hijack Windows systems by way of this as-yet-unpatched IE flaw, is already posted on the internet. It was published on public areas of the Net, where anyone could use it.
Microsoft is suggesting Windows users disable ActiveX and active scripting controls until they get a patch for it. According to a Microsoft representative "Microsoft's initial investigation reveals that this exploit code could allow an attacker to execute memory corruption." When Microsoft finishes its investigation, they may (or may not) issue a patch for the flaw during thier monthly update process. However, Microsoft is adament about the fact that they are unaware of any attacks that attempt to exploit the newest IE vulnerability.
Posted by Michael Simpson
I like to get my system running as fast as possible. I'd rather spend my time making my system run the best it can, than throwing money at it. Knowing this about it me it should come as no surprise that I like to hack the registry to make things run faster. So I decided to share a few of the things I've learned.
The registry is the soul of your computer. Make a mistake and it may not run right.
So I wrote an article about it called "Windows Registry Hacks". Then I realized that I had forgotten to detail how to backup the registry. So I wrote another article called "Registry Backup". I hope they help you out.
Let me know if you would like to see more articles like these two.
Posted by Michael Simpson
Recently Intel announced that all Centrino branded computers using an Intel Wireless Ethernet adapter need to update the PROSet software and driver to keep your system from being remotely hijacked. This is a critical update and it should be a security imperitive to get this patch on your system.
Download it below.
These drivers need to be downloaded and installed manually. Microsoft Updates doesnt include an update of this sort either. You can find the patch here . If your not sure you need this patch you can find out at Intel site here.
Posted by Michael Simpson
I've made my position clear about Vista. However, that doesnt mean I'm not interested to hear whats going on with the latest Windows product. Ive done a little testing of it myself, and look forward to seeing what RC1 has in store for us.
I have noticed that I can't find several of my favorite tools in the last release. Namely MSCONFIG, of course I can always go to REGEDIT for most things as well. But the registry is a scary place even for a computer guru (Im not a computer guru, but I play one at work).
Want to know more? Read Industry Testing Of Vista.
Posted by Michael Simpson
Recently I was working on a dual boot system. For those of you who dont know what that is, I setup onepartition on my computer with Windows 98 and another with Windows XP.
Its a pretty simple process, as long as you follow the rules. One of those being... it works best if you use FAT32 partitions instead of NTFS.
Now you may be wondering what the difference is. With that in mind I wrote FAT32 or NTFS. I hope you find it informative.
Posted by Michael Simpson
Microsoft has made huge changes in the way we view information. Windows is the most dominant operating system bar none. Not necessarily because it's better than, but certianly because its been marketed better than, the competition.
I had a conversation recently that made me stop and think about the way I and others truly view Microsoft. I wrote my thoughts down. You can find most of them in an article titled "Windows Versus Linux". I hope it generates some thoughts... and discussion.
Posted by Michael Simpson
me "Help desk this is Mike"
Enduser " uh... yeah my computer keeps rebooting"
me "what are you doing when it reboots"
Enduser "I'm at the CTRL+ALT+DEL screen"
This was the start of an actual call I had just the other day. The system was getting a critical error and XP was doing an automatic reboot to try to recover from it. The problem was that the error was caused by a conflict with a modem driver. So everytime he got to the CTRL+ALT+DEL screen the system would reboot. I had to find some way of turning it off ... we ended up starting him up in Safe Mode.
If you ever have this problem or want to make sure it doesn't happen Ive written an article about how to prevent it. Its called Startup and Recovery Option . Check it out and let me know if it was helpful at all.
Posted by Michael Simpson
With Microsoft coming out with a new operating system I took a look back at the past and my experience with MS coming out with new operating systems.
After playing around with Windows Vista and comparing to the current operating system (Windows XP) I wondered what the advantage would really be. Should I switch to a new operating system just becuase its available? I wrote an article titled Windows Vista showing what I found. And giving my personal insights into the question.
Posted by Michael Simpson
Windows 98 is probably my favorite Microsoft operating system of all time. I use XP at home and work but I still have a few systems that run only 98 SE. I know I'm not the only one.
Microsoft still has their support page for Windows 98 up, it can be found here.
Some of you may still be running this operating system as well. Now your wondering what you are going to do about support. What about all those updates that Microsoft put up on the web, how can I keep my system secure? Or maybe you are just wondering about how to fix a particular problem that's been plaguing your system. Over the next few weeks I will be putting up some articles dealing with tips and tricks for Windows 98.
Posted by Michael Simpson
Hey everybody!! Im excited to be your host here for the PC section of Suite101. If you read my profile you will see that Ive been doing computer related work for the past 7 or so years.
I'm a geek at heart. I love anything to do with technology and gaming. I played Dungeons and Dragons in Jr high and high school, and still would if I could find a local group to play with.
If you play World of Warcraft and happen to be on the Thunderhorn server look me up. My main character is Khitan 60 gnome rogue.
Posted by Michael Simpson
I spend at least 3 or 4 hours a week cleaning spyware off of computers. Its a pretty easy and straight forward operation. However any task can be daunting if you've never attempted it before. Ive written an article entitled "I've got spyware!" that should help you with this dilema.
Do you have any horror stories about spyware on your system or perhaps a freinds? Or maybe a question about the article? If so start a discussion.