Controlling Windows Boot Entries

Quick Reference

3Ways to Configure Windows Boot Menu:

1. Msconfig (also configures some startup programs)
Click Start > Run (Windows 7, just type in the search area)
In the run window type msconfig
Click the 'boot' tab
Choose your settings then click okay

2. Startup and Recovery
Go to Control Panel > System > System Advanced Properties (System Properties, Advanced Tab)

Under 'Startup and Recovery', click the 'Settings' button. Configure Default OS and countdown delay here.

3. bcdedit
launch the cmd program as administrator by:
a. Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories, and Right Click 'Command Prompt' and allow all propmts you receive.
b. In windows 7 click start and search for cmd, then right click as in step a.

set logon screen timeout to 60 seconds:
bcdedit /timeout 60

show bootable entries:
bcdedit /enum all

show a short list of your entries:
bcdedit /v

find the entry you want and copy the identifier, looks like: {default} or {current} or {22a0fe01-802d-11df-b750-fd1087245f3d}.

Use is to set the default boot entry like this:
bcdedit /default {22a0fe01-802d-11df-b750-fd1087245f3d}

Delete and entry like this
bcdedit /delete {22a0fe01-802d-11df-b750-fd1087245f3d}

Mozy Backup for Windows - Poor [wo]man's guide to document backup

In this video, I describe the basics of setting up mozy backup on a windows based computer. The more specific goal is to use mozy for free and only backup your most critical text-based documents. This is a great idea for college students, if your computer crashes you will have a readily available online backup of your homework without even having to pay for it or think about it.

The video is longer than I wanted, and I had the mic way to close to my mouth, but I'm using new equipment and don't want to do any more takes. It's good 'nuf.

Watch the video in full screen if you want to see what I'm clicking (great resolution).

After the video use THIS link to download Mozy:
MozyHome Online Backup

Record your screencast online

MozyHome Online Backup

magicJack Review - Install and Show Features on Mac

Summary

I've been seeing this product advertised everywhere, and I've been interested, but not convinced on buying this product. Finally I just decided to get, because it's easy to return and my computer is on 24/7 anyways. I went down to my local drug store (Walgreens) and picked this thing up for 39.99, I think you can get it for about $2 cheaper at Amazon.com

Review

First Time Setup

To install, you just plug the magicJack usb directly into your computer, not a hub... trust me it doesn't work right even though it appears to at first. Then plug in any regular phone to the magicJack.

This first time you plug in the device you will be taken through a 4 or 5 step process to pick the phone number you'd like. It seriously took me longer to decide which number I wanted than do the actual setup.

Next you can use the simple instruction on the left side of the magicJack program to setup your voicemail. This will take about five minutes to list to your options, record a message, and setup your pin.

Using magicJack

Actually using magicJack is easier than setting up, as you see in the video, you phone acts exactly the same, just pick it up and dial. When you get a call it's the same thing, but on your computer you will see who is calling and have the option of ignore the call an sending it voice mail. Or you can just pick the phone up to answer.

The magicJack program has an option to switch to "headset" which actually just means using your computer's microphone and speakers.

On the right hand right of the program there is a list of all of your recent calls, and their status (missed, received). You can also save phone numbers and add them to your contacts.

magicJack also features call waiting. Just use the features on your phone to switch calls like you would with your traditional landline service.

magicJack and MAC

When installing on an Apple computer, the magicJack mounts a virtual drive called "phone" to your computer, which stays that way to keep the programming running.

I didn't notice any changes to the OS, but I did find some annoyances. For one this, there is always a magicJack icon in your dock that doesn't go away, and since magicJack is always running, I now get to look at an icon in my dock I rarely use but always see. There should be an option to run in the background and have a menu icon instead.

The other problem is when using multiple desktops. If someone calls you and you pick up the phone, your current desktop is switched to the original magicJack desktop instead of just popping up. This is very frustrating if your in mid-sentence reading an email, and the desktop switches because someone in your house answers the phone.

This final problem is the restart. Sometime when you restart your Mac, magicJack doesn't work correctly (like it dials but you don't hear it ringing even though it's really calling). You have to quit magicJack from the main program screen, unplug it from usb, then plug it back in and everything works fine.

Conclusion

Even with all of the small bugs left to work out, magicJack is still well worth the price. I will deal with the desktop switching if it saves me about $100 a year. If you have a better-that-dial-up connection, your computer is constantly on (or don't mind leaving it on), and just need simple phone service, this product will definitely work well for you.

Repair / Upgrade / Change / Replacement iMac 7.1 Hard Drive - Open iMac

Intro

Video + Pictures of Disassembly Below
My iMac (7.1, 2008) crashed one month after the warranty expired. Of course they wouldn't make any exceptions, even if their computer's are supposed to be high quality. So I bought a Western Digital Caviar Black, 1TB to replace the 300 GB WD Caviar Blue (see below for more hard drive links).

Since I purchased this hard drive from a reseller, I have a three year warranty. The hard drive in the iMac was a Western Digital, but was not covered by the company because the warranty is only through Apple.

Compatible Replacement Hard Drive Info
Compatible replacement / upgrade hard drives for your Intel iMac (2006-Present).
Specs Needed
SATA (1.5 gb/s) or SATA II (3 gb/s)
7200 or 10,000 rpm
32MB or 64MB CacheRecommendedSATA II7200 RPM32MB cache (16mb sucks =P)
I recommend a Western Digital Caviar Black hard drive because it comes with a 5 year warranty, and it runs great. There is also Caviar Blue for a replacement, or a Caviar Green to save energy (and money); both are by Western Digital.

I don't really mess with Seagate, although I do have a refurbished 7200 rpm SATA drive in a PC that's about 3 years old and hasn't given me any problems.

Hitachi makes a great product, one of the most reliable names on the market. It's common for a company to use a Hitachi hard drive in their product for this reason (an external backup drive, for example). The quality is reflected in the price.

Recommended Hard Drives

Hand picked hard drives based on: best price, quality, warranty, performance. I only included products that will match or exceed your previous performance. Please share you favorite hard drives, and how your recent upgrade performs in the comment section at the end of this post.

NOTE: Adblock users must allow assoc-amazon.com to see amazon.com recommendations below.


Western Digital Caviar Green 2TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s 64MB Cache -3 year warranty- Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $109.99

Western Digital Caviar Green 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive $54.99 + FREE SHIPPING by Newegg.com

Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive $64.99 + FREE SHIPPING by Newegg.com


Western Digital Caviar Black 750GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive $79.99 + FREE SHIPPING by Newegg.com


Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drives $94.99 + FREE SHIPPING by Newegg.com



3TB Hard Drives!
ATTENTION! THIS DRIVE FOR SNOW LEOPARD OR BETTER ONLY. 32 BIT PLATFORM CANNOT USE THIS HARD DRIVE... YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!
From Newegg.com


From Amazon.com

Western Digital 2500 GB Sata 3.0 Gb-s 64 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-oem Drives WD25EZRSDTL

Video Guide

iMac hard drive removal (upgrade/replace) pt 1




iMac hard drive removal (upgrade/replace) pt 2

High Resolution Pictures

Ingredients: Household suction cups, torx screw driver size 8 (set shown), and my Leopard iMac 20"



8 Screws under the screen cover. Torx size 8.


Remove the screws mentioned above, removed the chrome, and you'll see this.


8 screws attaching the monitor to the chassis

(Left to Right) Speaker, circulation fan, RAM, cpu heat sink (I think)

For those of you who forget to mark your monitor cables, this is for you.

First set of cables, looking from the top of the iMac.

Each wire is attached in just below the cd drive.

The wire closest to the outside of the cd drive should be connected

to the dark colored cable from the monitor.

I marked one cable on both ends of the connection with a Sharpie pen.

Second set of cable looking from the side of the iMac you put your CD's into.

For these cables, look in the tight space next to the cd drive. Find the cable that is attached the furthest away from the cd drive. In the picture below, it's the cable furthest to the left. This cable should be attached to the lighter colored cable that comes from the monitor.

This is a picture of the board that the cables are attached to. It is visible by removing the CD Drive. The left most wire is from the last picture. It should be attached to the light colored cable from your monitor. The rightmost cable is from first cable photo (two pictures back) and attaches to the darker cable from your monitor.

This is a picture of everything connected straight into the monitor. The wires are in the same order as above, but the rectangle shaped board is flipped over, the way it would normally sit.

Monitor rear. LG Philips. Make sure the ribbon cable is connected evenly, then run a good piece of tape over the seam where it connects to the monitor (past both ends) to make sure it stays. If your monitor seems 'off' in any way after installation, this is most likely the problem.


The plug on the left (closest to RAM) will need to be disconnected to removed monitor. Reads "LCD TEMP"


Money shot. Good time to dust it out. The cd drive is on the left of this picture. Remove the tape, take out the two screws that connect it to the chassis, remove the two small screws (size 7?) from the rear connector, remove the thermometer. From there you can open the case to remove a badly jammed disc. Remember: if you don't attach the thermometer good the computer will beep when you boot.

The center of the board on the left has a message: CAUTION HIGH VOLTAGE with a symbol next to it. DO NOT TOUCH THAT PART OF THE BOARD WITH ANYTHING. It contains a small stored charged of electricity that is present even when the computer has been unplugged for hours. I touch it with a screw drive and an angry blue spark jumped out at me. Good thing it didn't arch to another spot on the board!


Hard drive thermometer close up, one side is flat, the side shown below is curved. Attach it with the flat side down. Use high temp computer adhesive or some good tape.
I had a request for thermal adhesive information to here is an example:

This product is for your CPU but will also work here. Feel free to find your own high temp, non permanent adhesive (preferably not electrically conductive).


Now opening THIS will void your warranty. As for the rest of the Mac, clean off your finger prints, and save the old hard drive in case you have to fill the warranty. If you do have to fill the warranty, then just put the old hard drive back, attach the thermometer with some real high temp computer adhesive, and swear to God you never touched it.


Yes, it will turn back on if you take care to put everything back properly. The 'beeps of death' made me think I broke my imac. It was actually just the hard drive thermometer not attached well.

How to use bittorrent to download your favorite music and programs.

Step 1: Download a bittorrent program

WINDOWS:
http://www.utorrent.com/
MAC:
http://www.transmissionbt.com/

Step 2: Find a bittorrent file

Go to http://mininova.org

Use the search box at the top and enter the name of an artist you want to find

Click the "Music" tab to see result from only that category

Click the "Seeds" link to arrange by most popular/fastest (on the right)

Now find something you want and click the Green Arrow to download

Step 3: Begin Music Download

You can tell your browser to automatically open the file after it downloads, you can double click the file, or you can drag & drop it into the download window of your bittorrent program.

Now just be patient and let your files download. Bittorrents start slow, and then gain speed. The more "Seeds" your torrent has, the faster it will go. You will be surprised how fast you can download an album!

Your downloads will get even faster with the weeks to come. The more you share, the faster you download.