Archive for the 'Hardware' category

Reinstalling Sony VAIO

Initially, when you buy Sony VAIO notebook, you get things setup as Sony sees them fit. You have C and D partitions, both with 40+GB, and a hidden partition of 7GB, which is factory-restore partition. All this on 100GB disk (which is actually 93GB if you count 1024 instead of 1000 for kB).

On those partitions, there’s amazing amount of software installed, both Sony’s own and from partner deals. Adobe, Symantec, Office 2003 trial, lots of other shareware…Out of all of that, I had use for…none. I don’t need security-encrypted folders, I don’t need biometric login, I certainly don’t need Norton’s crap etc.
The only software that seemed to be of some use was Intervideo WinDVD for VAIO (v5.0). It would be useful if it wasn’t 2-speakers only edition. :( Since I have 5.1 speakers connected to VAIO over Creative Live! 24bit sound card, this was useless and I de-installed it.

It really is shame that Microsoft is not providing DVD decoder for the Windows. For all you MacOSX owners out there, if you didn’t know – Windows can’t play DVD movies on its own. You need to purchase DVD player that has the decoder: Cyberlink PowerDVD, Intervideo WinDVD and lots of others.

To cut the story short – I decided to reinstall Windows, remove the hidden partition and resize the C and D to what I like. Heh…not a small feat to do.
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Sony SZ1XP/C

…is one very shiny 13.3″ with Core Duo 1.83GHz, 1GB of memory, 100GB SATA 5400 disk, all required wireless and Bluetooth, with the choice of two graphics options (Intel GMA950 and nVidia GeForce Go7400), all packed in premium carbon 1.69kg package. Sounds quite amazing and it mostly is. Sony really ticked most of the the right spots with the SZ line.
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How to switch buttons on MX900 mouse and whole lot more

Logitech SetPoint software woes again. One of the things that troubles me most with this software is that I can’t permanently set left button as right click and vice-versa. SetPoint software does not allow that, and when I do it through Control Panel it is back to default after logout. Now, this software is anything between 30MB and 50MB download heavy and it does allow you to do such basic stuff. Maybe to protect me from being stupid and setting both buttons to right click or something? Who knows, but certainly is annoying.

You see, I use the mouse with my left hand (and I’m not left-handed) even though MX900 is ergonomic model for use with the right hand.
Reason is simple, really – the only two good BT mouses on the market are this and MS Intellimouse and they are both right-hand only. The other mouses on the market are simple entry models. There are no neutral versions which is really a shame. It seems that bluetooth-enabled mouse market is rather small. :S

Anyway, Logitech’s software…the answer to all my problems is what else but enthusiasts that know: uberOptions pack by Richard Lowens. His options pack – in his own words – simply changes Logitech’s own XML files. Now, Logitech – why you don’t have this, via some Basic / Advanced modes? I mean, really…such a fabulous piece of hardware is being crippled by mediocre software package.

Richard, many, many thanks.

How to install Logitech MX900 drivers on Windows 2003

More on the fun world of software companies doing stupid things in its install software. I own Logitech MX900 Bluetooth mouse, which works great. The software that comes on the CD is 1.04, and newest version is 2.22. I was hoping that new drivers would have support for double-click on the wheel (they don’t. suckers.) and wanted to install them on Windows Server 2003 SP1.

That particular version behaves much like XP would – even Media Player 10 is included in this SP1. However, Logitech’s driver install checks for OS version, sees that it is not 2000/XP and quits with message that I should go to Logitech web site and look for appropriate version. Well, I did – and there is nothing for my OS.

Now, the most idiotic part of this is that it does not gives you the option to continue. It should tell me “if you continue you may fuck-up your system and render it useless, do not do this blah blah”…in lawyerish, of course. It does not. So I pay €50+ for this mouse and can’t install driver update? Niiice…way to go Logitech.

Luckily, there’s a workaround. Right click on setup file (setup222enu.exe here), Properties, Compatibility tab, check “Run this program in compatibility mode for:” and choose “Windows XP”. Ok all. Then start the file, ignore the message about administrator rights (I am installing as administrator, you…) and finish the install. Restart, all is well, drivers installed.

iPod Shuffle file structure

Apple has put several restrictions on the iPod Shuffle use. You can only update songs from one PC/Mac, through iTunes. You can’t copy songs from Shuffle to another PC or Mac. You can’t manually copy the songs to Shuffle (must use iTunes).
At least one of those claims is not true. For now.

Indeed, Apple’s iPod Shuffle support FAQ makes it pretty much clear. However, things are not that bad. Apple Matters has detailed the procedure for finding the songs through Mac terminal and copying them over to Mac. Let’s see how it looks like on PC.

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