All posts in Hardware

How to install Logitech MX900 drivers on Windows 2003

By On Mon, Jan 2nd, 2006 In Hardware With 7 Comments Permanent Link to How to install Logitech MX900 drivers on Windows 2003Permalink

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

By On Sat, Mar 19th, 2005 In Hardware With 38 Comments Permanent Link to iPod Shuffle file structurePermalink

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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Keyboard for life

By On Fri, Mar 4th, 2005 In Hardware With 3 Comments Permanent Link to Keyboard for lifePermalink

The search is over.

IBM

IBM buckling-spring keyboard.

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Click keyboards

By On Fri, Feb 4th, 2005 In Hardware With 15 Comments Permanent Link to Click keyboardsPermalink

I type a lot. I mean, a lot. Code, email, documents, articles, whatever – keyboard is still the main input device for me, much more than mouse is.

All keybords should be like this

Now, ignoring the high-school time when I owned Amiga 500, I’m typing on PC keyboards for little over one decade. I changed probably two dozen keyboards in that time, either at home or various companies I worked for.

There is only one I really loved and that is Focus 2001, the old model, with Print Screen, Scroll Lock and Pause keys at the top. New model include stupid, useless Sleep/Wake/Power keys, and the middle part of the keyboard is totally ruined. A depressing-to-look-at successor, since the type-feel of this keyboard is fantastic. Just the right dose of pressure, clear clicking sound and desired letter is up – there’s no chance of mis-typing or false-typing, something often happening with my current HP-branded soft-touch garbage.

These sentences are written on the very same Focus; I found it in an old closet, wrapped away long time ago when some keys (both Shifts among them) deteriorated from unhuman usage (pinball simulators and Mortal Kombat). I unhinged the problematic keys (there was like 8–9 of them), clean them separately, washed the whole board, reattached the keys and it all worked, apart from the Space key, of which one under-part was broken. I worked-out a replacement using some plastic and glue, and it seems to work so and so.

Even so badly broken, it is better than membrane-based keyboards you can buy for 10 bucks in any store.

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Altec Lansing arrives and takes the throne

By On Mon, Jan 3rd, 2005 In Hardware, Personal With 2 Comments Permanent Link to Altec Lansing arrives and takes the thronePermalink

For some time now, I’m collecting old computer parts to bundle computer system for my sister. I have practically everything apart from motherboard, memory and speakers. I planned long time ago to replace the memory with something more akin to overclocking, so the memory is somewhat solved. I’ll fetch some used nForce2 board, which left me with speakers.

I’ve had Jazz J-7907 for several years (four or more, can’t remember) and they were working acceptably. My wallet would start screaming every time I went to visit a friend with hardware 5.1 decoder and set of Jamo speakers, but I thought that nothing like that is possible on PC speakers, hence I never bothered to look for new speakers.

Now, I needed to buy something. I could’ve gone cheap with used speakers for €20 or something. After a bit of thought, I figured that it’s about time to update my sound system, as it turned out to be the oldest component in my home setup. Quick surf through hardware sites yielded Altec Lansing 5100 – often mentioned as “look-upon” set in the middle class. I read several reviews from the web and decided to get them; little below €150 here in Belgrade.

Official image of the setup

Reviews are one thing, but the actual sound experience can be so different from person to person. Sound experts can rate them as promising or not bad, while general users would rave (difference similar to what good web site means when you ask me and average Joe). So, I employed the one and only way to test 5.1 speakers: The Lobby shooting spree scene from The Matrix.

Man, how good this beauty sounds.

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