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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2003-02-10

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

1) White-Box PCs: A Year Later

A year ago, in the article "In Praise Of White-Box PCs" ( http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020214S0003 ), we looked at the growing activity in generic, unbranded or small-brand PCs, and saw how a low-end PC could be made into a functional, lightweight workstation or server. The then-current systems were inexpensive and worked decently enough, but I had to pepper my text with caveats and warnings as to what they could and couldn't be expected to do.

Today, not only are the prices even lower, but these amazingly inexpensive systems have evolved to the point where they now can function as no-quibble, full-bore replacements for some standard, brand-name PC workstations.

For example, I recently needed a couple additional PCs for my office, and decided to check out low-cost alternatives to major-brand systems. I tried a pair of systems costing around $200 each, and ended up liking them so much I've integrated them into my standard production environment. These are really nice little PCs!

In the article currently posted at http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030206S0014 , I'll give you all the details on what these two systems offer, and then compare them to some similar name-brand units. We'll go over the system point by point so you'll see exactly what you do and don't get in these low-end boxes, and I'll also tell you what worked--- and didn't--- when I set them up.

Come see all the pros and cons, and see how these half-price boxes compare to full-price, name brand systems from Dell and Gateway.

See you at http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20030206S0014 !

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2) Using WinIPcfg To Solve Connection Woes

Several months back, we discussed Windows'  "Internet Protocol Configuration" tools. In Windows 9x, the tool is called "WinIPcfg;" In NT/2K/XP it's called "IPconfig." We first talked about using it to dodge hackers (see http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2002/2002-12-12.htm#3 ), but it has other uses too:

Fred, My husband got me interested in your newsletter because I wanted to learn as much as I could about keeping my own computer running smoothly.

Just yesterday I could not connect to the internet and I have a cable modem through Charter. I found out that if I ran "winipcfg" and released the IP address then renewed it, it would bring back the exact same numbers, but I was operational for a few minute. Let's say I could bring up an explorer site and also get my e-mail. Once I closed the explorer window and the outlook express, if I brought them up again I could not get a connection and had to go through releasing and renewing the IP address again. I like to also chat in a certain rooms in yahoo chat and that won't stay connected more than 3 minutes and just shuts down. Same with msn messenger... [My husband's] computer seems to work fine.. plus the ancient dinosaur of a pc next to this that I use for the kids. We have a hub that connects the pc's to the surfboard modem furnished by Charter. It doesn't seem to make sense that my computer can't stay connected, but the old one with hardly any memory or hard drive space will stay connected. Any ideas on how to make this work w/o having the cable men come and charge me if they find it to be on "my end" with their troubleshooting. The technicians I talked with on the phone seemed to think it may be the firewall (which is ZoneAlarm). But I also run ZoneAlarm on the older pc. I am getting tired of constantly refreshing and renewing my IP address to get my e-mail out. ---Deb Rosen

It's often a good idea to remove any firewall temporarily when you're having networking problems, just in case it's somehow blocking the desired connection. (See http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-01-23.htm#4 )

As a next step, I'd try running WinIPcfg (of IPconfig, if you're using 2K/XP). Once that's running, instead of simply releasing/refreshing the IP settings, I'd try a "release all" on all the PCs connected to cable modem, one by one. Then I'd unplug the cable modem (kill the AC power to it), turn off all the PCs, and go get a glass of water (or whatever---just wait a minute or two). This will give your ISP's server a chance to react to the fact that all your PCs have released their old IP addresses.

While everything's shut off, make sure all the network cables are undamaged, and are seated squarely and firmly in their sockets. If your network card is literally that--- a separate plug-in adapter card, and not a socket built onto the motherboard--- you might want to open the PC and make sure the network card is seated properly in its slot.

Then reboot your pc, and as it starts, restart the cable modem. That should get you a totally new (not just refreshed) IP, if it's possible to do so from your end. (Sometimes the assignment of IPs is controlled at the other end, not under user control.) You then can start the other PCs.

If that doesn't help, I'd try moving the cables at the hub: Plug your PC's cable into another socket, and plug some other PC's cable into the socket you were using. If the other PC now has the problem, you've identified a bad socket or other problem with the hub itself. If your PC's connection is still dead, try switching the cables. By using a known-good cable from another PC in place of yours, you can see if your cable itself is at fault.

If none of the above helps, then you'd probably do well to check out the network setup info at http://www.practicallynetworked.com or http://www.helmig.com/ . If other PCs can access the network through the same cable and hub that doesn't work for your PC, it suggests a problem within your local system. Besides, it never hurts to check for configuration issues in networking--- they're frustratingly common.

If that *still* doesn't help, you're running out of options. Depending on how expensive a service call is, it might be worthwhile to buy a new network card and try that, in the unlikely event that your network card itself has died. (You can get a generic 10/100 network card for around $10.)

If it's not the card, the hub, the cables or your setup, then it's probably time to call the cable techs out, because whatever's gone wrong is subtle and very weird.

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3) Setting Hard Drive Features

Hi Fred, Love your Plus Edition!

Regarding your -New, Free "Application Accelerator" Available- article ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-01-30.htm#4 )... Most hard drive companies provide software to control various features of their hard drives. They provide diagnostic and low level formatting tools along with a utility to change the UDMA mode of their drives. This software is usually provided in the support section of their respective web sites. However, IBM (now Hitachi) provides their (free) FeatureTool software which has the acoustic option you mention in the above mentioned article. That lets those of us who have equipment other than Intel have the advantages you mentioned. Windows users can get it at
http://www.hgst.com/downloads/FeatureTool-install.exe

Linux users should get http://www.hgst.com/downloads/FeatureTool-install-img.bin

IBM/Hitachi provides other useful tools at http://www.hgst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

Thanks for all your good work. --Dan Knauf

Thanks, Dan!

Indeed, DMA and other settings are sometimes directly controlled at the hard drive itself, and sometimes managed indirectly through the IDE controllers (usually on the motherboard). It makes sense to check all avenues--- OS, motherboard and drive manufacturer--- to ensure you're getting full access to all your drive features. 

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4) "Thought Organizers"

Thanks, Graham. Over the years, there have been a number of products like Brainstorm. Some started as outliners that gained additional features that made them full-featured thought organizers ( http://www.google.com/search?q=outliner+organizer ); some actually called themselves "thought organizers" ( http://www.google.com/search?q=thought+organizer ); others were free-form databases that let you toss information in almost randomly, but still be able to find and access it ( http://www.google.com/search?q=free+form+database ); and so on.

The variety itself is interesting, and shows how many styles of thinking there are, from the wildly associative to the linearly logical, and all points in between.

Some people seem to get by fine with no tools at all, but others, once having found a tool that "fits" their native thought style, never go back. If this is a type of software with which you're unfamiliar, try Graham's link or the others. You just may find something very useful!

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5) Another Cumulative Patch for IE

A long time ago--- close to 20 years--- a long-running online joke involved a "patchware" OS. When you bought it, you got a blank floppy, and then the manufacturer started sending you patches....

A very serious product later mirrored that concept: The "Apache" web server software, which is perhaps the most widely-used in the world today, got its name because it was "a patchy server." (Honest!)

Microsoft is following in that, um, tradition with Internet Explorer. It's just released yet another roll-up of patches for the browser, including some for a couple of newly plugged security holes that Microsoft rates as "critical."

This is a cumulative patch that includes the functionality of all previously released patches for IE 5.01, 5.5, 6.0. In addition, it eliminates two newly discovered vulnerabilities involving Internet Explorer's cross-domain security model - which keeps windows of different domains from sharing information. These flaws results in Internet Explorer because incomplete security checking causes Internet Explorer to allow one website to potentially access information from another domain when using certain dialog boxes....... The attacker could also potentially access user information or run code of  attacker's choice.

Risk Rating: - Internet Explorer 5.01, 5.5,  6.0: Critical

Patch Availability:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-004.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-004.asp

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6) RGale Harter Got A $30 Gift Certificate. Want One?

Reader RGale Harter just got a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com--- books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys, and more. RGale got it by using the "Recommend" link at http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm .

If you use that link to recommend the LangaList to a friend, your friend may find a new source of useful information, I may gain a new subscriber; and you just may win a gift certificate, just as RGale did. (Full details are available via that link.) The more times you make a recommendation, the greater your chances are of winning!

Or, if you'd like to try to win $10,000 (really!), try this link (full details also available here): http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182

Either way, thank you, and good luck!

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7) Got (Free) CAD?

Computer-aided design tools are one of those things that you either have no use for, or *really* need. The professional packages are quite elaborate and expensive, but this reader found a lower-end alternative. In fact, it's free, so if you're even mildly curious about CAD software, this might be a way to see what it's all about.

Fred, I enjoy every LangaList Plus issue. I was recently trying to find an inexpensive CAD program to make sketches and simple floor plans and found something even better. A free CAD program that has a lot more features than you would expect. Visit their web sight at http://www.qcad.org and check it out! Yes, there are versions for both Linux and Windows. Perhaps your other readers would be interested in this software too. Keep up the great work! ---Crim Lotts

Thanks, Crim!

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8) More Reader Sites!

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the hundreds and hundreds of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://www.langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site From Among All Listed
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm

Design COMP
http://www.design-comp.com/

CollectiblesEngine
http://www.collectiblesengine.com/

Rockslax's NLL Fan Site
http://www.rockslax.com/nll/

"A Cranky Rat"
http://ratty.surreally.net/

CodeTiger
http://www.codetiger.com/

Daymark Software
http://www.daymarksys.com/

Signal Connections
http://www.signalconnections.com/

TranceTunes
http://trancetunes.com/boards/portal.php

Ryan Computers
http://www.ryancomputers.net/

Search Of The Day
http://www.315pine.com/SOTD/search-of-the-day.htm

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9) XP SP1a and Alternate Ways To Get Java

The legal wrangling between Sun and Microsoft over Java ( see "Virtual Machine Woes" http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-01-13.htm#7 ) continues to muck up the works.

Frequent contributor CptSiskoX was the first to send in a link to the new, Java-neutered "Service Pack 1a" for XP. This is a re-release of the original SP1 (from last September.)

Microsoft says:

On September 9, 2002, Microsoft released Windows XP SP1. On February 3, 2003, Microsoft released SP1 again as SP1a.... Windows XP SP1a is the same as Windows XP SP1 except that the Microsoft virtual machine (VM) is removed in SP1a....

To determine if you are running Windows XP SP1, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. If "Service Pack 1" appears under System, you are already running Windows XP SP1. There is no benefit to installing SP1a if you are already running Windows XP SP1. Microsoft does not recommend that you install SP1a if you are already running SP1.

More info:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=813926

See also http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/downloads/servicepacks/sp1/

So what do you do if you want Java on your machine? For now, you go to Sun and download their full version. It's free: http://java.sun.com/getjava/

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10) Just For Grins

My younger sister sent me this--- but I'm sure she intended no hidden message. <g>

At age 4 success is . . . not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . having friends.
At age 16 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 20 success is . . . having sex.
At age 35 success is . . . having money.
At age 50 success is . . . having money.
At age 60 success is . . . having sex.
At age 70 success is . . . having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . . . having friends.
At age 80 success is . . . not peeing in your pants.

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• Audio Mixer Software May Kill Sounds!
  (a popular audio "mixer" control panel can prevent system sounds from playing)
   

• Ultimate Password-Recovery Site?
  (overcome lost/forgotten passwords for literally dozens of OSes and applications)
   

• Direct Cable Connect In XP/Win98
  (reader tips on this little-known, inexpensive way to connect PCs)

The Plus! edition offers tons of extra info for just a dollar a month, and even has a MONEY BACK satisfaction guarantee: You can't lose! Complete Plus! Edition info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000!I)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://www.langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

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This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 2003 Fred Langa / Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

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