How Tell Your Hard Drive Is About To Die

Rai    Hardware, Troubleshooting     deframentation, disk drive, disk error, hard drive, scandisk, troubleshoot

LifeHack.org writes all the tell-tale signs to know if your hard drive will soon fail and die on you. Very helpful since I have already suffered enough from hard drives that decided to just get tired and stop breathing – er… spinning.
read more

DataPipe Server Migration

Rai    Hardware, News     colocation, data center, datapipe, Hardware, server

DataPipe has announced that there will be a scheduled downtime for affected servers because of a physical migration. Unfortunately this included our colocated server and because of miscommunication, and we had little time to prepare for this event. The migration took place last Friday, March 14th between 12:00AM to 8:00AM EST.  Although DataPipe provided an 8-hour window for the downtime, they anticipated that the servers will be back to normal in less than 8 hours. However, in my experience, the usual 8-hour window normally takes longer than the announced downtime because of “unexpected events”.

Fast-Teks On Site Computer Services

Rai    Hardware     computer services, fast-tek, technician

Fast-teks On-Site Computer Services provides computer service when you need it. With their certified technicians, they can guarantee customer satisfaction with their full array of services for every customer need, be it residential or business, all in reasonable rates. All Fast-teks technicians, trainers and website developers are A+ certified or hold a comparable certification in their area of expertise so rest assured that your valuable computer hardware and data are in safe hands.

Residential services include the following:

* Virus, Worm, Spyware Removal
* Wireless Networking
* Data Backup and Recovery
* High-Speed Cable DSL Modem Setup
* Troubleshoot and Repair
* Software Training
* Audio Visual
* Shared Internet Office Solutions

Small and medium business services include the following:

* Managed Services
* Data Backup and Recovery
* Website Design and Hosting
* Technology Consulting
* Troubleshoot and Repair
* Software Training
* Remote Managed Services
* Network Monitoring and Management
* Remote Data Backup
* Computer and Network Security
* Shared Internet Office Solutions
* Email Server and Mobile Device Support
* Office Relocation and Setup
* QuickBooks Training

Fast-teks On-Site Computer Services was ranked #6 in the Franchise 500 magazine in 2006 in the tech industry and #385 in the entire Franchise 500. This is a yearly publication that ranks franchises based various factors. Financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of system are just a few categories that ranking is based on. Many companies are considered, but only the top 500 make it onto this list.

Picotux: Smallest Linux Computer In The World

Rai    Hardware, Linux, News     computer, Hardware, Linux, picotux, smallest computer

Only slightly larger than RJ45 connector, Picotux 100 is the world’s smallest computer running Linux operating system. Armed with Busybox 1.0, ARM7 CPU at 55 MHz running uClinux kernel 2.4.27.

Technical data:

Processor: 32-bit ARM 7 Netsilicon NS7520
Processor Clock: 55 MHz
Flash Memory: 2 MB
RAM: 8 MB SDRAM
Ethernet: 10/100 Mbit, HD and FD, auto sensing
Serial (TTL): Up to 230.400 bps
General Input/Output Pins(TTL): 5, can be used as Handshake
LED for Ethernet: 2; green (programmable) and yellow (Carrier)
Supply Voltage: 3,3 Volt +- 5%
Supply Current: 250 mA
Operating System: uClinux 2.4.27 Big Endian (native)
Shell: Busybox 1.0 and others
File Systems: CRAMFS, JFFS2, NFS
Applications: Webserver, Telnet
Size of the Linux Systems in Flash: 720 KB and more
Protected Bootloader for Update over Network: 64 KB Code
Development System: GNU Tool chain
Compiler: GCC 3.4.4 for C/C++ and Fortran
Binutils: 2.15
Library: uClibc 0.9.26

Dimensions:
Height: 19 mm
Width: 19 mm
Deep: 36 mm
Package: Shielded by metal
Weight: ca.18 g
Ambient Temperature: -40°C to 85°C

The Best Laptops Under $1000

Rai    Hardware     acer, fujitsu, Hardware, hp, laptop, notebook

These days, $1000 lands you a pretty well rounded budget laptop. You can easily get 2GB of memory, 120GB or more of hard disk space, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and dedicated multimedia shortcut keys that let you watch DVDs or view documents without booting into Windows. The Acer and Dell laptops in our list even sported HDMI connections, extras we didn’t expect at this price point. Read more here.

Source: pcworld.com