Mike's Window : Windows 8, Hardware

On the case..

Mike Hall — Tue, 07 May 2013 02:08:36 GMT

The new Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced case has now been in service for thirty five days. In that time, it has not displayed any of the annoying characteristics of it’s predecessor.

Windows has not shutdown once and everything is working. I still dare not set up any Windows 8 apps because I have no desire to tempt providence.

Start8 is keeping the unstable bits at bay, and Windows Defender is quietly keeping the junk out.

From my perspective, Windows 8 desktop does a good job, and I do not feel that I am selling out by staying with the desktop. Windows 8 is a dual OS, and as far as I am concerned, however I want to use is is ok.

I am interested to see how Windows Blue shapes up, and if it is all about the Modern UI, that is ok too. Presently, I have everything I need other than an HP 57 colour cartridge and a decent graphics card. Both can wait..

Windows 8 - Network hardware compatibility ..

Mike Hall — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 15:09:02 GMT

After a week of moving my workspace around, tidying up cable runs, committing an aging Panasonic Fax/Phone machine to the local Goodwill store, I thought it best to try out some of my older network adapters.

The two adapters are:

An Ultra USB 2.0 Fax Modem
A D-Link DWL- G132 USB network adapter

I am pleased to be able to confirm that Windows 8 Pro 64-bit recognises and installs the Ultra Fax Modem without any user intervention. It still has to be set up manually for send/receive, auto answer et al.

The D-Link DWL G132 was bought in 2006, and it was not too long before D-Link decided to drop support for it. An outcry later, and the unit is still compatible and installs without issues. This is good for me because I am now a fair distance from the modem/router, and I don’t want to have to use multiple Ethernet cables when fixing client desktop machines.

Note that the older D-Link Super G adapters will NOT work in Super G mode when installed on a Windows 7 or 8 machine

So, I can breathe easier now, and my desk is a little less cluttered than it was a week ago.

The Great Wait..

Mike Hall — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:25:51 GMT

Two great waits actually.. Wait #1. My old case arrived ‘home’ at !0:45, Monday, 18 March. It now has to be checked out by Coolermaster technicians, and in time I will get an email telling me that something is being sent back to me. Due process is probably...(read more)

Speedfan and Windows 8..

Mike Hall — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 14:50:37 GMT

If you didn’t already know, SpeedFan 4.47 doesn’t like Windows 8, but there is a fix. It is called SpeedFan 4.48 beta6 and to get it, you have to sign up.. http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php SpeedFan is a very useful utility for desktop PCs and I do recommend...(read more)

Try to fix one thing..

Mike Hall — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 02:38:04 GMT

.. and it all goes wrong. I found a chipset driver on the Gigabyte website for my mobo, a GA880g, and thought that it may be a good plan to install it and maybe get beyond the involuntary shutdown issue. Ha.. first sign that it may all go wrong. The ...(read more)

This HP high end all-in-one Windows 8 PC

Mike Hall — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:51:18 GMT

.. doesn’ t have touch capability. Mind you, I am not surprised really. Who would want to leave grubby paw prints over an IMac look-a-like.. It will be difficult enough keeping the keyboard and finger pad clean. Plus, and the distance that one normally...(read more)

No more playing with Windows 8 CP..

Mike Hall — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:39:20 GMT

I booted the drive with the Windows 8 installation a couple of days ago and all it wanted to do was disk check all three drives. Eventually, Windows 8 started and I played around for a while. Today, I attempted the same and everything went to plan except...(read more)

All set up and ready to go.. down?

Mike Hall — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:36:10 GMT

If you entered computing during the XP age, you missed out on all of the fun. Here is a piece of computer world history for you.. The title of the video says it all.. This spawned more humour like this photo on the right. It was particularly popular with...(read more)

Readying for Windows 8 Beta.

Mike Hall — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:39:51 GMT

While I was looking into the kernel power error, I did some work on tidying the cables inside, essentially to free up a SATA power cable for the drive that will hold the Windows 8 beta. I have a Seagate 160gb SATA drive which has been pushed through tests...(read more)

I knew it would happen..

Mike Hall — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:14:57 GMT

The latest unit added to the home network here is no longer a current model. The Toshiba L500 Satellite Pro has been replaced by the L650. This is Toshiba’s statement on the matter.. We’re sorry. The Satellite L500 Series is no longer available at most...(read more)