Pardon me for being a little late. I noticed and even installed SP1 the day it was released. But I didn't even write it here.
So yeah, Windows 7 SP1 is now out and rolling for real, giving a version number of 6.1.7601. You can download them through Windows Update, or Microsoft Download Center (validation required).
For those running SP1 Beta or Release Candidate, you have to uninstall them before installing SP1.
Ubuntu users often use apt-get to install software. However this means you have to download the files from the repository. It would be nice if you can actually use some kind of download accelerator for downloading the files while also being able to install it within a single command.
apt-fast
It first appeared as apt-fast. It utilizes Axel to accelerate the downloads and then proceeds like normal apt-get. In fact, using it simply requires you to substitute apt-get with apt-fast in the Terminal. Now as it comes with a PPA, installing apt-fast becomes pretty simple. Enter these commands in Terminal:
The second option is to install apt-proz, which is a modification of apt-fast. Instead of using Axel, it uses ProZilla. The author, Damar Riyadi, claims that it is faster than apt-fast itself. You can skip the first line if you have added the repository before. Enter these in Terminal:
Note that if you have apt-fast installed, you can substitute apt-get with apt-fast. Using apt-proz is exactly like how you use apt-fast; simply substitute apt-get with apt-proz.
apt-metalink
The third option is apt-metalink. However this doen't have a PPA, so the installation would be a bit different. It utilizes Aria2 for downloading, and requires editing sources.list files to add more mirrors. For more information, visit their page: https://github.com/tatsuhiro-t/apt-metalink
It's been about a month after I started working as a technician at a local computer store. I must say I've learned quite a lot of stuff through the experience, and it's just likely that I'm about to discover more. So far, here's my observation:
1. CoolerMaster GX 550W is a problematic PSU.
More than three were sent for warranties last month, under six months of use. I heard that the whole GX series isn't recommended actually. Good thing I bought a second-hand CoolerMaster Real Power Pro 750W instead of a GX 550W. Good buy too; it's bloody cheap.
2. Power supply testers are very rare.
The only place I saw it was in the store I worked, but then again it's sold out. It is priced at RM39. Simple and handy to have it.
3. Compressed air cans are not sold in computer stores.
Instead you can find it at a hardware store. Compressed air is commonly used to clean up electronics, especially computers, by blowing away dust in hard-to-reach areas.
5. External hard disks tops the warranties list.
Not exactly a surprise. Almost everyday goes with someone having issues with the external hard disk. Often it was bad sectors and mechanical failures. As for data recovery, utilities such as Testdisk (included with Parted Magic) are often used.
6. K-World media players were also problematic.
Sure, they have a three-year warranty, but it doesn't really reflect the build quality. It's cheap, but has poor documentation, and many have been sent for warranties. I'd recommend ASUS O! Play series instead.
7. I hate printers.
Yes, I just discovered my (mild) hatred for printers. They are such a pain to set up, especially dot-matrix printers and all-in-one printers. Then I have to repackage it, which is also a pain.
Hello and happy Chinese New Year guys. It's been a while since my last post (as if I post stuff frequently here, duh) so here comes some not-so-new stuff.
Back a few days ago at work, a deaf customer came to me complaining that his new Logitech Gamepad F310 controller behaves strangely when he played Darksiders. The left analog stick caused the camera to be stuck in a really awkward position. The same thing happened to me with my Logitech Dual Action Gamepad, but I just continued playing with the mouse and keyboard, which I'm already comfortable with. I concluded that Darksiders require an Xbox 360 controller to work properly.
In fact, many Xbox 360 games has been ported to the PC, so it might be more relevant to buy an Xbox 360 controller instead of a Playstation controller these days.
That aside, if you still insist on using that Playstation controller, the solution is to emulate the Xbox 360 controller. Enter the x360ce, now with force feedback. It requires you to copy some DLL files to the game directory, so check the readme file first.
Don't worry about the name, it's just the author's nickname. Click on xinputemu to see the files called "x360ce vibmod 3.*.zip" which you'll be downloading. Extract and follow the readme instructions. Then you can test it out.
Another option is to use Xpadder, but the setup would be more complicated.
On a second note, the Logitech Gamepad F310 supports both DirectInput and the newer XInput (used by the Xbox 360 controller), controlled by a switch on the underside of the controller. I did notice that the XInput mode isn't working on my customer's PC, which is running Windows XP. Turns out you have to download a separate driver for that on XP, despite DirectInput mode works. Damn you Logitech for not providing that driver. Not everyone is on Vista or 7.
So if you're on XP, and using XInput compatible controllers, you should download the driver.
