How To: Manually Setting Up the Linksys WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander - Update

I would avoid these even if you can get them to link. Speed reduction is one reason. Getting them to link is another. I have had them work but I currently can not get it to work with WAP54G. I would try a Powerline solution.

Linksys' WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander [reviewed here] is a WDS-based 802.11b / g repeater. Its purpose is to receive a signal from an Linksys WAP54G access point or WRT54G and WRT54GS wireless router and relay it to extend a wireless LAN's range.

How To: Manually Setting Up the Linksys WRE54G Wireless-G Range Expander - Update

Forum Posts on using more than one WRE54G

WAP54G IP=192.168.1.245 pwd=admin

WRE54G IP=192.168.1.240 (some versions use 192.168.1.245) pwd=admin

WRT54G IP=192.168.1.1 pwd=admin
Link for using as access point. or here
(I put Tomato on this and access setup fine but can't connect so have reverted to an old BEFSR41 v3 with WAP65G) Plan trying dd-wrt.

WAP54G flashing with DD-WRT

Cat 5 wiring diagram

How To Convert a Wireless Router into an Access Point

I used to have a FAQ that explained how to re-purpose a wireless router as an access point (AP). But it occurred to me that some folks might be able to use a little more of a step-by-step, so here it is. I'm going to use the virtually ubiquitous Linksys WRT54G as the object of our conversion

How To Convert a Wireless Router into an Access Point

Comments:

Sometimes I just want to index something I am going to do or try. This looks like a great little guide for setting up a router as an access point. I’m going to do it someday soon.

SmallNetBuilder is a good reference for wireless networking.

Remove Ask.com as Default Search in URL Field

My Solution

Internet Explorer 6 (presumably 7 too)

1. Go to Control Panel in Windows itself
2. Click on Internet Properties
3. Click on General
4. Click on Search settings
5. Set new default and delete ask.com

Firefox

1. Open a new tab or window.
2. Type “about:config” and hit enter, this brings up the all powerful settings of Firefox.
3. Agree to the warning that you could mess things up
4. Find keyword.url, you probably should not change anything else
5. Double click and change keyword.url string to something else like http://www.google.com/search?q=
6. Note that you cannot just put in the web site domain, you must put in the parameters before your search query. So find your favorite search engine, do a search and grab all the text up to your actual search results. So that a search for “test” in Google returns this, http://www.google.com/search?q=test, but all you need to input into the keyword.url field is http://www.google.com/search?q=

Remove Ask.com as Default Search in URL Field « Internet Marketing Blog with PaperStreet Web Design – Law Firm, Business & Professionals

Comments:

I hate all things Ask. In Firefox you need to do a few things to be rid of this irritation ware. I seldom end up with Ask installed but just got burned and took some doing to kill it.

1. Uninstall Ask through control panel or better yet Revouninstaller (I use portable).

2. Remove the Ask addon in tools > addons.

3. If Ask search page still comes up in unknown searches do the above steps in about:config.

4. See also this.

Cheap Cables

MonoPrice.com is the cheapest place to buy cables. Notice that shipping is associated with the total price and not standard with each item. This alone saves greatly.

Palm Pre

I just bought a Palm Pre on Sprint and will be recording some experiences. I really wish I had purchased an Android Samsung Moment but 4 days too late to exchange. Now Nexus 1, oh no it's getting worse.
Some reasons are:
a more powerful processor
32GB SD card capabilities
geekiacs will be flocking to it.

Palm is doomed to be an also ran. Despite Palm Pre's linux base, a dwindling user base will hamper grass roots development. Oh well, I'm stuck for 2 years. I refuse to pay $500 for a phone

Equipment:
Micro USB for $.01. Good cable about 3 feet long. Comes to $2.00+ with shipping. The casing around the micro end is too big for the Touchstone but works fine in the Pre. I tried whittling the casing down for the Touchstone but it starts to lose its integrity so I will just use an original cable for the touchstone. I may continue some whittling though because I want two or three for in car use with the touchstone. Buy touchstone here from Amazon for around $35. (one full kit needed for the magnetic Pre back).

In car charger for the USB cable at Amazon around $19. Don't bother with the Sprint car charger because it will not connect to the touchstone.

Seido protective case and holster. The case is nice and belt clip holster works. The clip pokes my fat so it is better for thin people.

Installing Homebrew Apps:
This is what I did. Have not found a useful app yet. For instance Sprint Navigation finds Starbucks as easily as some "Get Starbucks" app.

Synchronizing:
I like the sync with gmail, gcal, etc. I recently added contacts to gmail and they don't appear on Pre. Don't know what is up with that.

Modem Tethering:
My Tether appears to be the only solution. It works on Win7-64 machine. Follow guide on My Tether site. Pay the $15. I had to communicate a few times with Raja because my email password didn't arrive but we worked it out. He was very patient and accommodating.

Installing My Tether notes:
1. Novacom for Win7 64, this site is the way to go. Just one line to delete from the msi using Orca.
2. WebOS135 I had to uninstall My Tether and delete from Pre then reinstall. Then I patched through My Tether and it took forever. Then option to reset phone and again takes forever. Wow, it works again!
3. Win7 flags to install USB modem driver from Sprint - don't.
4. Remember to disable screen blank with M.T. or you lose connection.
5. The patch makes camera inoperable but patch can be added and removed at will. Phone must be reset each time but does not take overly long. Worth having tether around for when you need it.

Cons:
Standby life is hopeless. The thing is always dead.

Links and Credit
Palm-Pre Hacks
Tips & Tricks Post on precentral.net lots of info, better than manual thanks to milominderbinder

Things to try:
My GPS (costs $.99 and I hate paying for software)

Turning off/on WebOS update
From the Linux command line enter:

cd /usr/bin
mount -o remount,rw /
chmod -x /usr/bin/UpdateDaemon
killall UpdateDaemon

Hit enter twice between each line to get me back to a root prompt.

If you disabled your update you might want to re-enable it at some point:

cd /usr/bin
mount -o remount,rw /
chmod +x UpdateDaemon
mount -o remount,ro /

Then restart your phone and automatic updating should be back.

How to reboot: The quickest way being to slide out the keyboard and hold down 3 buttons, the Orange, Sym, and R keys.

Welcome to HP PartSurfer « Be your own BOSS @ WordPress

Welcome to HP PartSurfer

By nicolask

HP PartSurfer provides fast, easy access to service parts information for a wide range of HP and Compaq products. With PartSurfer you can:

• Search for part information by product number, serial number, model name, or part number
• Identify all HP products that use/reference a specific part number
• Filter your search results by part keyword or category
• Display product exploded view diagrams and part photographs
• Generate on-screen and printable reports

See also, HP Printer Parts Superstore

Welcome to HP PartSurfer « Be your own BOSS @ WordPress

Comments:

I like HP’s service and the information they create about their products. I also found their live chat people helpful. This PartSurfer looks useful. Laptops are unpleasant to fix and parts can be difficult to identify. We often end up with a Dell because of price but HP is "friendlier" and information is more easily accessed IMHO.

Buying A Laptop Today

What I want in a laptop as of today's post:

I prefer to avoid netbooks unless I really want a small traveler and then 10 inch minimum. For $200 more why not buy a real notebook? I get it, you want small and mobile. Then buy a netbook, but it will be under powered and no DVD. Warning one.

If it is simply going to sit on a desk and not on your lap or not move around, then buy a desktop. You will get more for your money and they are immeasurably easier to fix. Warning two.

Budget:

For everyday common mortal use I target $500 +\- .

Screen:

I like wide screen. (I like glossy) (eg. 1366x768 widescreen LCD for 15 inch) 14 inch is nice but I have never used one. 15 is most common and therefore often cheaper.

CPU:

Dual core is a must. Core 2 Duo is first choice, then any old Intel dual core (commonly referred to as Pentium Dual Core), then AMD last. Speed of CPU should be as close to 2GHz+ as you can get for the money.

RAM:

Must be 2GB minimum up to 3GB if OS is 32 bit and 4GB+ if OS is 64. This stuff is cheap now so you can add if the laptop is cheap enough. Yes, 1GB will work but if you are using Vista or Win7 then more is better up to 4GB. Even 512MB will work but not happily. (I will not talk dual channel)

Hard Drive:

Like RAM hard drives are relatively cheap but get as large as possible included for the $500. 250-320GB should be easy to find.

Webcam:

1.3 pixel is commonly included. No cam is no deal breaker but video chat is cool. Get it if you can.

Graphics:

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD or better should be OK for today. Laptop video can be difficult to determine. Crazy nomenclature will keep you wondering if it is good or not. The Intel mentioned above is used a lot now and works fine. These are not extreme gaming machines.

Media Card Reader:

Also not a deal breaker but get the SD reader if you can. You can not add it later. You will need to buy a separate USB SD reader. One advantage if you end up buying an external reader is for $12 you will have muli-card capability in case SD in not what your camera uses. No big deal but the little SD slot on the notebook is nice.

Wifi:

Sure it is a must and G speed will be there. If it has N fine but for now few N routers are used and often you connect at G speed anyway because the router will not work with your N card at more than G speed. Bottom line, G is fine but N may be nice in the future when the drivers improve. If you own an N router then you will want an N card because of your supreme geekiness.

Mine:

My personal laptop is a 17 inch Gateway with 1920 screen and Gforce 9800 graphics, 4GB RAM and 2.4GHz CPU. I like 17 for the dual hard drive capability if nothing else. This will cost twice what the suggested laptop costs and most people will find it too bulky for happiness. The notebook suggested is more than most people need.

Before I buy a laptop like mine, I make sure there is a community of users that love their system and know all about it. I track the forum for awhile and learn about the flowers and warts. Then when I am sure a sufficient number of users love their machine and they are smart enough to help me love mine, I consider buying one of my own. That way I have users who can answer my question if I have trouble. There is no company support that can compete with a strong user base of technoheads. And let’s face it, often there is just NO Company Support period.

I cringe when someone asks “what laptop should I buy” because there is no immediate answer outside of what I stated above. Then the hunt begins. Today Dell may have the suggested configuration for under $500. (Seeing that they just posted a 45% drop in profit.) Next week that same machine could be selling for $700. Notebook prices are all over the map all the time. Maybe HP has one or Gateway or Asus or Acer. It takes digging and searching to find a deal.

Here is a sales circular link. It will tell you what is going on by state with prices. Then hit DealDump to check out the deal trackers. If you find something you can’t live without, Google search that item in the shopping filter to be sure no one is selling for less and good luck. Online pricing is not always the best. Sometimes Best Buy is selling a Dell for prices Dell itself will never touch. Sometimes Newegg will have the best price. Just know that if you buy from Newegg and something goes awry, you will not be sending it back to Newegg. Mr Egg treats notebooks differently than other products and you must go to the manufacturer. I love Newegg but for notebooks, if I can get the best deal at Best Buy I am happiest.

One nice thing about Best Buy is their 30 day return with no questions policy. If you hate, hate, hate the thing or it craps out you can return to Best Buy and pick up another. There is nothing worse than having your notebook for one week and then say a warranty good bye for who knows how long. Or worse yet maybe you despise some part and have to live with it. And many things can happen in those first 30 days. That is the way of electronics.

So now, we still do not know which notebook to buy, and we still do not know where to buy it. See why I hate the question.

Links:

Intel Processor Finder
Best Deal (I may have updated.)

Force Load Unsigned Drivers In Test Mode Easily in Windows 7 or Vista with Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider » My Digital Life

 

The manual process to sign a driver with test certificate is not simple. But there is a tool, by ngohq.com, named Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider (DSEO) that can automate the process to digitally sign a unsigned driver with a test certificate.

Force Load Unsigned Drivers In Test Mode Easily in Windows 7 or Vista with Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider » My Digital Life

Comments:

We hate the signed driver protection racket Microsoft foisted upon he public in the 64 bit OS. This is no secret. The standard options mentioned in the article have not worked for me. I have yet to try DSEO but plan to the next time I have the two goons show up asking for money.

WiseStamp for HTML signature in GMAIL

WiseStamp is the way to go for HTML Signatures in Gmail. It is a Firefox Addon, very slick.

Here are some other suggestions I have not tried. <link>

Panda Cloud Antivirus, The first free cloud antivirus against viruses, spyware, rootkits and adware

Edit: Nix on Panda. It needs reinstall too often. I'm back to AVG if Microsoft Security Essentials can not be installed.

 

Panda Cloud Antivirus
The first free antivirus from the cloud

Panda Cloud Antivirus, The first free cloud antivirus against viruses, spyware, rootkits and adware

Comments:

I’m trying this out. Panda has never been high on my love list but the whole “cloud” thing is cool. The jury is out on how well this works. I had to uninstall Avira before Panda would install but this is standard for antivirus installs. You must set up a free Panda account before it will work (don't forget the email verification).

While Panda is scanning it takes considerable memory.

Here is memory consumption at idle. Not bad.

Here is a review showing Panda less than stellar but acceptable.

Intel® Driver Update Utility for graphics drivers - Check for the latest driver

 

The Intel® Driver Update Utility keeps your Intel graphics driver up-to-date. It detects which graphics updates are relevant to your computer, and then helps you install them quickly and easily.

Intel® Driver Update Utility for graphics drivers - Check for the latest driver

Comments:

If you have an Intel video chip, chances are you are not setting the world on video fire. But even with embedded video, using the latest driver can improve performance. Finding drivers for embedded chips can be daunting. Intel’s automated utility may be just the thing.

Trackon: Tracking the trackers.

Trackon is a service to monitor the status and health of existing open and public trackers that anyone can use.

Trackon: Tracking the trackers.
Comments: If you are looking for a BitTorrent client, use uTorrent.

JPEG Lossless Rotator. Free JPG photo rotation software

 

All people usually make photos with different shot orientatons, and some photos need to be rotated. When you rotate a JPEG photo, most image editors decode the photo, rotate the bitmap and then re-encode it back to JPEG. This process slightly decreases the final image quality. Unlike those tools, the JPEG Lossless Rotator does not recode your photo and performs a special lossless block transformation instead.

JPEG Lossless Rotator. Free JPG photo rotation software

Comments:
Other programs do this also: XnView and Irfanview

Windows 7 in a box

 

Windows7 in a Box.  This could be worth while. No install and makes finding Win7 settings and internal programs easy.

Windows 7 in a box

Some of the stuff does not work for me, bringing up Control Panel for example. This could be due to 64 bit OS and I have not tried it on 32 bit yet.

Connect To WiFi Windows 7

Finding the list of available networks in Win 7 can be a mystery to XP users. Right click the network icon in the lower right tray and "Open Network and Sharing Center."

This can be done from Control Panel also.

Now for the tricky part. It is easy to miss the "connect or disconnect" link.



Click it and the available connections will be displayed.

(Another "Where's Waldo" improvement by Microsoft's Seek and Find Division)

PeerBlock Works In 64 Bit

http://www.peerblock.com/releases
Works fine in Windows7 64. PeerBlock apparently succumbed to Microsoft's Signed Driver Protection Racket. Runs portable so no install required.

My old friend PeerGuardian was not willing to pay the $230 "Fee For Nothing."

Lists are not needed because PeerBlock handles lists from somewhere. But if you must:
http://www.iblocklist.com/lists.php

This may beg the question of why I use a 64bit OS. I only use it if the system has over 3GB of RAM. A 32 bit OS can not practically use more than 3GB of RAM. Otherwise there is no practical reason to use 64 and several reasons not to use 64.