Microsoft releases Windows XP SP3

The much awaited Windows XP SP3 is finally released for the Windows users. It can be downloaded using Windows Update, and the direct link to the standalone version of SP3 for x86 XP systems (32 bit).

All previously released updates for the operating system Windows XP is included in Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Link: Service Pack 3 for Windows XP via Windows Update (Size varies)

Download: Stand-alone installer for Windows XP SP3 English, 32 Bit (316 MB)

Increase Battery Life of Your Laptop PC !!

Before we buy a laptop / notebook, we must take into account the following factors which determine maximising the battery life of a laptop / notebook.

1. Screen size of the PC. Bigger the screen size less you get as backup from battery. Small size screens such as 13" or 12" give you better back as compared to 15" or 17" screens.
2. A 9 cell battery will provide you with more backup time than a standard 6 cell battery.
3. Opt for Splid State darh Disk Drives as they comsume less power compared to PATA / SATA Hard drives which has moving parts so consumes more power.

Gudelines for Obtaining Optimal Battery Backup

• Always use up to date device drivers as they will run your PC more smoothly using all the hardwares to their optimal performance. Older drivers may consume more power compared to new device drivers.
• The Operating System you choose is also an important factor while obtaining optimal performance from your PC. There will be clear notification ( you will see sticker / label written as designed for Windows XP / Vista etc) for a particular operating system on your laptop / notebook. That means that particular OS will give you optimal performance and better battery backup. Other OS may not have proper driver support to maximise the system performance resulting poor backup. So, use only certified OS for your PC. Remember to update your OS from time to time from their website.

• Use Certified hardware by manufacturer while upgrading the PC like RAM, HDD etc. Uncertified hardware will definitely consume more power.
• You may also tweak Windows Power Management properly according to your needs to get maximum battery life.

All-in-One PC: Inside a Keyboard

How do you like a PC inside a keyboard. You just need to plug in a Monitor and here you get a zero footprint PC (ZPC - GX 31) from Cybernet with a Intel Core 2 Quad CPU, 4 GB DDR2 / 667 MHz Ram, 4 USB ports, Audio In/Out, Ethernet, PS/2 inputs, DVD Writer, HDD and more than 1 fans to keep the whole system cool and running. ZPC is a perfact choice for places where you can not place a full system unit with monitor, keyboard, mouse. Place is anywhere and just plug in power cable and a Monitor... you are ready to roll.

Web Site : http://www.cybernetman.com/

How to load applications faster by editing Windows Registry

The windows has a pre-fetch cache. It helps windows to load application faster by Pre-Fetching the application which is stored in the pre-fetch cache. we can speed up application loading by changing the default value of the followinf key.
Navigate to the following key :-

HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters

The default value of the EnablePrefetcher setting is 3. We can increase this value upto 9 to improve the performance. We need to restart the machine for the changes to take effect.

Local Area Network: How to Make CROSS & STRAIGHT cable

STEP 1: Choose the right cable…1. To Connect PC to PC à Cross Cable.
2. To Connect PC to HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER à Straight Cable.
3. To Connect HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER to HUB/SWITCH/ROUTER àStraightCable
STEP 2: Understanding CAT 5 Cables…
Wires: CAT 5 Cable has 4 pairs of copper wire inside it.
Colors: Standard cables has BROWN, BROWN WHITE, GREEN, GREEN-WHITE, BLUE, BLUE WHITE, ORANGE, ORANGE WHITE.
STEP 3: Making Straight Cable…
Nomenclature: let us first give a number scheme for cabling which we willfollow throughout this tuto. BROWN (8), BROWN WHITE (7),GREEN (6), GREEN WHITE (3), BLUE (4), BLUE WHITE (5),ORANGE (2), ORANGE WHITE (1)
Requirements: Two RJ45 Connectors, Crimping tool & CAT 5 cable of desiredlength(less than 250 meters).
STEP 3.1:
There are two standards adopted for Cabling EIA/TIA 568A & EIA/TIA 568B.
When you use single standard (either EIA/TIA 568A or EIA/TIA 568B) on both the end of cable then the resulting cable is STRAIGHT CABLE.
On the other hand if you use different cabling standard on the ends of cable then the resulting cable is CROSS CABLE
I’ll use EIA/TIA 568B standard for creating cross and straight cable
The figure below very well define the EIA/TIA 568B standard…

1. Remove the covering of CAT 5 cable.2. Straighten the eight wires of the cable.3. Using Crimping tool’s cutter cut the end of wires so that they are of same length4. Arrange the wire in order 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 respectively as I have mention or as shown in the diagram.5. Insert the arranged cable in the RJ45 connector with clip pointing down exactly as shown in the figure.6. In crimping tool insert the head of RJ45 connector and crimp (press) it hardly.7. Follow same step with same color order for the other end of cable too.8. The wire you made by following these steps is a STRAIGHT cable.
STEP 4: Making CROSS Cable…
Of the Eight wires in Cat 5 not all are used for data transfer when using 100Mbps Ethernet card. Only 2 pairs of cable are used i.e. 2 wire for transmitting signal and two wires for receiving signal.

Following diagram describes what I want to say:

So now you can guess why we have to make CROSS CABLE for connecting same kind of devices. Because if use same color coding on both the side than transmitter of one m/c will send data to transmitter of another and data packets will lost, so we have to change wiring code so that transmitter of one connects to reciver of other and vice-versa.Reference diagram:

Here are the Steps:Steps 1 to 6 are same as for STRAIGHT through cables7. Only difference is in color coding of other side of wire.8. Wire that is on 1st number on A-side (one end) should be on 3rd number on B-side (other side) & vice-versa.9. Wire that is on 2st number on A-side (one end) should be on 6rd number on B-side (other side) & vice versa.10. Now Crimp the RJ45 connector.11. Your CROSS wire is completed.

How to Switch Among Different Networks using your Laptop !!

Say You have one laptop that needs to be connected both of your home & office network. But changing the the settings manually every time is a hassle. To get rid of this I am presenting you with this tutorial. Windows xp & 2000 ( probably vista also ) has a nifty command line utility that makes switching between network a cake-walk.
Create a folder on your laptop - say : c:\netsettings
While you're on your home network, open the command prompt window and type in the following command :

Command: netsh -c interface dump > c:\netsettings\home.txt

This will store a copy of your home network settings on the above locationaka c:\netsettings\home.txt
Now before turning off the the laptop change the following things as per youroffice network config :
1. workgroup or domain name,2. TCP/IP Settings of your NIC - such as manual or automatic ip settings.3. Gateway & DNS server settings
in one word do all the necessary settings you usually do to connect to your office network.
Now turn off your laptop & go to your workplace or office . Don't be late
After you've successfully log on to your office network save the network settings using this command :

Command: netsh -c interface dump > c:\netsettings\workplace.txt

This will store a copy of your office network settings on the above locationaka c:\netsettings\workplace.txt
Now after a long day or night doing your hardwork at your workplace& just before turning off the laptop ( assuming you're now going to home )fire up your command prompt window & type in this command :

Command: netsh -f c:\netsettings\home.txt

And voila ! This will prepare your laptop to log on to your home network.you don't have to change a bunch of settings manually anymore.
While you're at home and before turning off your laptop just type in this command into a command prompt window

Command: netsh -f c:\netsettings\workplace.txt

This will load your appropriate network settings so that you can directly log on to your workplace network next time you boot your laptop without the need of any kind of manual settings.