Categories to Include in Your Install:
- Web Browsers
- Messaging
- Media
- Imaging
- Documents
- Anti-Virus
- RuntimesFile Sharing
- Other
- Utilities
- Compression
- Developer Tools
Link: Ninite
I think everyone has something personal on their computer and have passwords at this point in time and the worst thing that could happen is to lose that password. Well my nephew messed around with a family members laptop and somehow managed to changed the password, keep in mind that he is only 4 years old. I’m more and more amazed what kids these days are able to do. Well I was called in to tackle the problem which I knew wasn’t going to be very easy, but simple enough. I did it my own way but the link below has the simplest and clearest way of explaining how to tackle this if you are in this situation. Windows Vista has an ability to create a password recovery CD which you can insert and reset your password but if you haven’t done that then there is another way.
- Download Active Password Changer on to another computer
- Install ImageBrn onto your system so that you can burn a Bootable CD
- Using ImageBrn, burn the Active Password Changer DOS bootable iso onto a disc usually located here: C:\Program Files\Active Data Recovery Software\Active Password Changer\Pwd-changer-boot-cd.iso
- Boot up your locked PC with this disc, make sure it boots from CD first
- Then you can go through the steps of finding your MS SAM database where the user and passwords are installed
- Once thats done you clear your password for a specific user, if their are multiple users
- Restart your PC and take out your disc, and it will go through with the user have no password
- Then you create a new password for that user
This is a basic breakdown of the steps that I went through, took me a little over 45 minutes to get through all that and its pretty simple. The link to ItsVista has a complete breakdown of the whole thing with screenshots.
Link: ItsVista
After all the developments behind Windows 7 they have anounced the shipping date which is good news. I’m planning on building a system but not sure how it will work for Windows 7 or if I should wait. The best thing they said is that if it works for Vista, then it will work for Windows 7. Its meant to load quiet a bit faster with a lot better features, and more stable from off the bat. This is what Windows Vista should have been, and I’m really looking forward to trying it out.
Link: Gizmodo
I have been taking a look at the HP 2133 for some time now and it has been getting some mixed reviews. Some bad and some good, the Vista OS is the first problem that this machine faces.
The Machine:
- Windows Vista Business 32-Bit
- VIA C7-M Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) 1.6GHz Processor
- 128KB L2 Cache, 800MHz Front Bus speed
- 2048MB DDR2 (PC2-5300) RAM
- 120GB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
My Points:
- The keyboard is very nice and feels like a small laptop.
- The touch pad is a bit strange is the left and right click are to the sides and not the bottom which takes some getting used to.
- The overall case feels very clean and well made, but it is pretty heavy for its size
- The battery protrudes out the back which limits how much you can tilt the screen
- The speakers are one of the best laptop speakers I have heard, they are better then both my Alienware and Dell which is surprising since they are bigger
- The screen is comfortable and a good size
- You have lots of options with this machine such as: Express Card, SD Card, Ethernet Port, VGA Port, 2 USB, headphones, and microphone
- The biggest mistake was to preload Vista on this machine, HP wanted to push it to market and that is what caused mixed reviews. This machine would be perfectly fine running XP or Linux since it is well built with a lot of space. My friend is thinking of installing Ubuntu on this machine which I think is a great idea since its a very light OS in comparison. Its known that Vista is a resource hog so any heavy duty action feels difficult on this machine, it has nothing to do with being a VIA Chip or an Intel Chip.
- The laptop lasts 4.5 hours with the low screen setting and 2.4 hours with the high screen setting. During the day I just have it with the low screen setting.
Do I like the machine? Yes
Is there room for improvement? Yes
It could be lighter, the OS should be XP Pro, and a few other imrpovements.
The HP 2133 is out in the market for a few weeks now and a lot of reviews have been surfacing. Its an interesting piece of a equipment and I’m looking for something like this after trying a friends Asus. This comes with a bigger screener and it looks like it has a cleaner build. I like most everything about this machine except for the processor. I would get it with all the features but with the downgraded to XP version since I wouldn’t want Vista on machine that small, its a bit sluggish on a desktop so the performance would probably be an issue with the Mini-Note.
HP 2133 Mini-Note PC
- Genuine Windows Vista® Downgrade to Windows XP Professional (note) w/ MS Office (Trial)
- VIA C7™-M processor (1.2 GHz, 800 MHz FSB)
- 8.9-inch diagonal WXGA (1280 x 800 resolution)
- Graphics VIA Chrome 9, 128MB shared system memory
- VGA camera included
- 2048MB 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (1 DIMM)
- 160GB 5400rpm Hard Drive
- Broadcom 4311AG 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi Adapter
- HP Integrated Module with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
- 6 cell Li-Ion battery
