Samsung G800 Black Screen

I brought one of these and set it all up, charged battery, turned it on and hmmmm the LCD screen back light is on so the LCD is somehow working just that there is no pictures, there's sound and all.

My analysis says its a connection from the video card or whatever it is to the LCD screen cause the back light works but no colours are displayed.

Calling tech. support asap but seriously if its a lemon out of the box then the brand and quality control is so so. What gets me more is that Nokia's made in China are better than my Korean-build. Wahh?

EDIT: Returned it Tech. Support said not to bother as it was brought so recently, so now i don't have a chance to review a Samsung phone on this blog for yous. Looking at some Sony Ericsson though.

Can not open battery cover

Some devices like phones and such devices that have slide off lids or coveres instead of traditional stick a screwdriver or fingernail and lift up lides can be at time annoying to open or even near impossible.

The trick is to add more grip to it, a suggestion i have is to apply an elastic band that is fit for size for the device and use the elastic band to grip and slide off lid. Please be careful and thoughtful for when using this, look out of things like LCDS or other things that wouldn't go well with elastic bands and rubbing an elastic band along it because remember if you apply force on the battery luid cover you can apply some of that force also onto the bottom of the device.


this method is also good for opening jars, and food lids and caps. ;)

REVIEW: Dynamo solar-powered & wind-up torch

Just brought this on OO.com.au as well for $20 which i thought was good value as for $20 i can get a wind-up torch only at the local hardware store. This is my first LED torch and i am impressed.

Pros:

• LED bulb
• BOTH Solar and wind-up powered
• Durable and water proof
• Has a cool bluish ting to it
• Has 1 or 3 LED mode so you can adjust brightness and power consumption
• Also has a flashing mode for biking at night or emergencies? not too such of designed usage but is defiantly useful to have.
• Having a back up recharge soruce is excellent for emergencies, if you accidentally snap the wind-up handle at least you can still recharge it during the day, also good for camping etc.
  

Cons:

• There is a centre focal point in brightness where the centre is brighter than the rest of the light, (like traditional torches but you don't notice them as much in trad. torches because its not as bright.

Summary:

• for $20 it is well worth it for the functions provided and is worth spending if you just chuck it in the glove box of the car and never use it, cheaper than any insurance company premium I've seen.
• Worth it still even for the kids to just play around with it
• Amazed at the LED technology
• Just have to see if the warranty or durability lasts out
  

REVIEW: i-Rocks FM Transmitter

I just brought one of these from OO.com.au for like $15. What does it do? Well it modulates your music into an FM signal so you can pick it up in your car's FM radio which allows you to play mp3 music without installing a new CD player which can cost up to $100s.

Pros:

• Plugs into smoke lighter port (bad for those without one in their car)
• Has a USB port so it can read mp3 music from a USB flash drive or HDD, which is good as i didn't want to aary a mp3 player with me but it can also support mp3 player through an analouge jack.
• Cool bright blue LED
• Has an extra USb port for devices like HDDs which need more power to run.
• Easy to use

Cons:

• I brought the model with 4 channels (88.3, 88.5, 88.7, 88.9) and i get somewhat interference with all channels in my car. Could be different with different cars due to aerial placement?
• Due to interference it might be better to just plug in a mp3 player into the AUX jack of the car (If you have one) or burn CDs if your skeptic of quality but if you have a heap of music you want to listen to and can't do that with a mp3 player or a CD amd don't mind a bit of interference this is certqainly worth buying especially at $15 its worth it to just play with the technology.

Summary:

• If you don't mind the quality of the audio then this is good espeically for those with liots of jusic that they want to play randomly because a HDD and thumd drives are cheaper than buying a 10, 20 GB mp3 player or burning 1,000 CDs
  

How can I find out where someone is via their mobile phone?

They will need a GPS enabled mobile phone and also allow you permission to view their location.

Check out: http://www.google.com/intl/en_au/latitude/intro.html

What do I do with my old TV? How do I recycle my old TV?

"How you can dispose of your old TV:

? Take your TV to an e-waste recycling centre.

thegreenpages.com.au or

ewaste.com.au.

? Check out when your local council's next hard rubbish or e-waste collection is.

recyclingnearyou.com.au.

? Alternatively, give it to a stranger. Your rubbish may be someone else's treasure!

freecycle.org."


Quoted from: http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/hometech/tv-off-the-air-but-still-in-our-hair-20090714-dk3u.html?page=2

About AbandonWare (Free Classic Games)

AbandonWare is apparently:

"Abandonware is computer software that is no longer sold or supported, or whose copyright ownership may be unclear for various reasons. While the term has been applied largely to older games, other classes of software are sometimes described as such."

Quoted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abandonware

So pretty much it means you now have a new category of free games besides freeware games, mainly the classic games. Which is good for those who enjoyed classic games and want a memory refresh. Only problem I can se is Incompatible hardware and OS with older games.

Heres a few sites I've found but I am sure if you google Abandonware you'll find more collection/archive sites with abandonware games and software etc.

http://www.squakenet.com/

http://www.abandonia.com/

Google to produce a PC OS

Apparently Google wants to complete with Microsoft Windows and produce its own OS. Google has competed in the past with Windows Mobile with Google's Chrome OS and now its going to attempt to build a LINUX-Based OS to compete against Microsoft's Windows.

More details:

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/biz-tech/googles-plot-to-shatter-windows-20090709-desi.html

Mobile Phone Selector

Help me find a mobile phone that suits all my required features and specifications.
Site to recommend me phones that fit my specific needs?

This site will do:

http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3

FREE Paper toy/ models

Paper toys, animals, buildings, cars, planes, cartoons, free, fun, cheap, printable. :)

http://www.ss42.com/pt-animated.html

Old Classic games

Wow, a place that has archived all the old classic games such as SimCity 2000, Sim Tower etc.

http://www.abandonia.com/en/archive/2009/07

How to Uninstall Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) 2007

You may have auto update enabled and automatically downloaded the OGA and now for some reason it says your copy of Office is not genuine and you've called up Tech Support and still they can't fix it and now your embarrassed in front of your friends and or colleges because your a honerable man/women and have never ever used non-genuine or fake copies of software (you never buy from markets or online and only at leading retailers)

So what you can do to remove this OGA notice is:

(copied from a comment from this site: http://www.makefriendsandmoney.com/blog/how-to-uninstall-office-genuine-advantage-notifications-kb949810/)

anonymous said,

in March 21st, 2009 at 10:27 AM

"
Run this DOS command at C:\>
MsiExec.exe /uninstall {B148AB4B-C8FA-474B-B981-F2943C5B5BCD}
You will be prompted if you are sure you want to unistall. Click ‘Yes’
This will uninstall the OGA notifier 1.7.0105.35.0 described on this blog.
Works for vista and XP.

This thing worked
"

Extra Info:

To run the Dos command prompt, just use the CMD (Command Prompt) by pressing

1. Windows + R
2. Type in "cmd"
3. Press enter

To get to C:\>, in order for it to work(you can't run it at another other location)

e.g. if it is at C:\PeterWong

1. Type in "cd .." (this brings it up a level, so its = to pressing the up button in Windows XP interface)
2. Press enter

Saving all your Windows updates for backup/recovery reasons

You click ok, ok and windows starts downloading MBs and MBs of Windows update files. you google online on how to save all these update files to save you gigs and gigs of downloads if you ever decide to do a clean install of Windows but you usually can't get a simple answer on google on "how to backup/save your windows updates" well the answer is good ol Microsoft places all these updates into the service packs (major and important ones anyway) which is excellent just install service pack and your done! but. isn't service pack downloaded through windows update too? :'(

Yes it is, the way to do this is to download the Service Pack Standalone file each time instead of going through the windows Update and also doing so can save you downloads if you have owner ship to more than 1 computer running similar OS. For me i do this all the time, even for the MS Office Service Packs etc. I save the standalone versions.

Keep that thought in mind or expand on my ideas :)

AV8 3rd Eye boot POST Code 9F

I fixed mine, all i did was remove all my RAM, re-put it in, disconnected my PSU, re-plugged it in.
This is not really a solution, best solution is to never buy A-bit motherboard in first place :)

Might be useful:

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?s=9a0b9bfe3c4e53d7431552bec8bfbffd&t=363295&page=2



I'd detail what i did to make it work again but I've used like 14 different way 14 different times in fixing the 9F error. Even letting it plugged in for days and then turning it on worked so i reckon the motherboard is just dodgy.

Free software for.. (2009 list)

(Ongoing post, keep checking back occasionally)
Here is what I am running currently and doing it for free:


Internet Browser:
FireFox

E-Mail client:
Thunderbird

Defrag:
Auslogics Disk Defrag

ZIP/RAR:
IZArc

CD/DVD burning:
BurnAware Free Edition

Security:
Spybot Search & Destroy
SpywareBlaster
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Comodo Firewall
Avast Anti-Virus

Audio Recording and manipulation:
Audacity

Anything to PDF:
Primo PDF


Any Requests?????

Blackout Your powerpoint Presentation

I am not quite sure what the function for at the moment but during powerpoint presentation if you press the "B" (not case sensitive) key you can blackout the presentation into a black screen and when you press B again it will un-black it out. Use for breaks maybe or emergency hiding of a slide?

Most of the time presentations are practised so there shouldn't be any no no slides in it and most people prefer to have a slide that says "Intermission' or soemthing like that rather than a black screen but now this knowledge is with you, make good use of it!

:P
;)

Printer not prinintg

There's no specific error for my printer problem so I can not help solve a specific printer problem but if everything looks fine but your printer just simply won't print when you make it but its on and everything.
Then maybe you should see if your printer is working off-line.

This happens when you turn on your printer and print before turning on your printer or if you have your printer turned off all the time until you use it.


To fix this simply open up the print dialogue (in system task bar) and go to: Printer > (uncheck) Use Printer Offline.

Quick shortcut to minimise all windows and jump to desktop

Windows + D

Photoshop vertical stripe/line effect

Just a personal note for myself in photoshop.


Top layer > Blending options > gradient overlay > low % Opacity
Image > Multiply & low % Opacity.
Bottom image > Normal white fill

Animation button for website

What's a easy and fast way to make animated buttons for a website, like mouse roll over effects and such?

I had to do a website recently and had this problem too. Then I remembered in past website projects I did, I used photoshop.

What you do is:

1. Make the image or a row of menu button I am guessing, next to each other
2. Using the slice tool, slice it up into seperate buttons
3. Using Fail>Save As Web, save the image as a website
4. Change the image and repeat step 3, but saving the website in a different folder/file name
5. Go to the folder where the site is stored
   
6. Deleted everything else except for the images saved in the image folder and move them to your website project folder and use them
7. Program the animation as you would normally with jpegs

hope this helps or at least I hope I can remember this post to stop me wasting time in photoshop in the future.

Stop your employer from finding your facebook without doing that to friends

1. Use a different e-mail address to register for facebook or other social networking sites as the e-mail is a unique identifier of which John smith you are. so in resume use your more formal one or a different one.
2. In resume use your whole full name as its a document. for facebook registering only use your first and last name so friends can still find you.
3. Your friends might not be able filter find you though if you don't place your fully name so join some networks like high schools, etc. where you meet your friend(s)
   
   Any suggestions or additions? feel free to post them as comments!
   

Deleting/Cancelling/Removing a Myspace account

http://www1.myspace.com/misc/RemovingChildProfiles.html

In a Nutshell:

1. Login to account
2. Click "Account Settings" in top corner
3. "Account" tab
4. "Cancel My Account"
5. Follow prompts
   

Voice Cancellation (Karaoke?) in Vista

You can adjust an equalisation to cancel out more of less of some of the voice. sounds funny though but if anyone need to do that for whatever reason. The steps are:

1. Right-click the volume icon in system tray (Or go through control Panel)
2. Playback devices
3. Double-click your playback device
4. Enhancements > check "Voice Cancellation"
   

MS Word shotcuts

How do I xxxxx in MS Microsoft word using shortcuts.
Shortcut for xxxxx in MS Microsoft word.
Doing xxxxx via MS Microsoft Word shotcuts
Keyboard shortcuts for MS Word

Finding shortcuts for a particular event or action in MS Word may be quite challenging in Google to find exactly what you need to be done via a shotcut you need to know the name of the action in Word and the tool or menu item that is most likely associated with performing the action. somtimes it can be easy e..g copy and paste short cut but for the times where is isn't check out this link* it has many many great operations listed in a nice single location.

* http://www.scribd.com/doc/6333108/MS-Word-shortcuts-and-tips-2

Stretching HDMI output on HDTV

I've had this problem before and sure hope I documented it for my Toshiba Satellite A200.

My sister's laptop, A Toshiba A300 had the same issue as me except that she has an Intel graphics card. To solved her problem:

1. Right-click desktop > Personalise > display settings
2. Intel special tab of options.
3. change screen resolution on notebook from whatever it is to a lower resolution say x 720

If I didn't post a post on my model its:

1. Right-click desktop> Ati Catalyst > Display Manager
2. Change resolution to a x 720 resolution

My theory is that due to our laptops being a 720P HDMI output laptop, it can not output 1080P resolution as the graphics can't produce that (you'll need one that can, so far I've only seen the Sony Vaio as a laptop with 1080P HDMI and laptop LCD screen resolution)

You know your an IT student when

I was googling for one of these but could't find one so I decided to start one. Help me:

• 
  

Vista: Can't add shortcuts into the All Programs section

Can't add shortcuts into the All Programs section in Vista. I've had this issue for a while too not sure if its a vista bug or if I've just screwed up soemthing in vista but ATM I am quite hating Vista's All Programs sections.

To workaround this issue of not being able to add new shortcuts:

1. Start > All Programs
2. Right-click on a folder in the list
3. Select "Explore" from drop down menu
4. The shortcut folder that you clicked should show up
5. Click back OR use the breadcrumb at the top and get into the "Programs" fodler
6. Paste the shortcut into that folder
   
   ACTUALLY there is a simpler way:
   

1. Open up: C:\Users\Patrick\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs in windows explorer
2. Paste shortcut into that folder

Vista: Can't move/re-order All Programs shortcuts

I've had this issue for a while and was annoyed cause I like to have my shortcuts in All Programs menu (Start>All Programs) in specific order to my usage but always got the stupid Red No crossed circle icon.

At first I thought it may have been a bug as I can't add new shortcuts to the All Programs without using a workaround but then it hit me, in windows XP there is a option to prevent drag and dropping of context menu items, but I checked and hmm it is checked.

The solution is:

The sorting option of the All Programs is set to be sorted by alphabetical order of program names.
to fix disable that option.

1. Start > All Programs
2. Right-click in white space > Properties
3. Next to start menu radio button click the [customise] button
4. Scroll down to bottom of list and de-select "Sort All Programs menu by name" checkbox

Done!

Now try to move around and re-order your shortcuts.

HP Printer Drivers for Windows Vista

HP Deskjet 33200 won't work in Vista or are missing drivers:

The guide on to how to install drivers for HP printers that worked on XP are here:

HP Guide to Vista Drivers

I've had this problem for a while now but hopefully like me you will also be able to use your HP in Vista, which is a good thing because it means HPs are built to last either that or you only print in a blue moon....


Covers printers and alternative Vista-included Drivers (yes the alternative drivers are in Vista already =D):

Deskjet 3320, 3325, 3420, and 3520	Deskjet 3600
Photosmart 7600 series	Deskjet 5600
Deskjet 5850	Deskjet 5600
Photosmart 130 and 230	Photosmart 330
Photosmart 145 and 245	Photosmart 330
Photosmart 7350 and 7550	Deskjet 5550
Deskjet 6122 and 6127	Deskjet 990c
Deskjet 3816 and 3820	Deskjet 970cse
Deskjet 656	Deskjet 660c

Deleting Yahoo! account

Deleting Yahoo! Mail account, Removing Yahoo! Mail Account, Cancelling Yahoo! Mail Account
Deleting Yahoo! account, Removing Yahoo! Account, Cancelling Yahoo! Account
Deleting Yahoo account, Removing Yahoo Account, Cancelling Yahoo Account

How ever you want to say it, it is simply described here:
Link

My Version would be:

1. Go to: https://edit.yahoo.com/config/delete_user
2. Login / validate
3. Done!
   

how to remove the Drawing Box in Microsoft Word

1. Open Word up
2. Tools > options > general
3. Uncheck the "automatically create drawing canvas when inserting autoshape" box
4. Done!

How to remove the Drawing Box in Microsoft Word
how to remove the Autoshape Drawing Box in Microsoft Word
how to remove the Drawing canvas Box in Microsoft Word
how to remove the "Create your drawing here." Box in Microsoft Word