My computer takes 5 minutes to shutdown.

Tip #1 : Too many unnecessary programs running in the background

Try to stop unnecessary programs during booting.

1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type "msconfig.exe"
4. In the system configuration utility,click either service or startup tab.
5. Uncheck all programs that your are no longer want to run in the background.
6. Click OK

Tip # 2 - Disorganized and fragmented files

When you shutdown the computer tries to read all the files running in the background, before stopping them. But when you delete, rewrite, copy or move a file very frequently that may slow down the computer to read files. So de-fragmentation is necessary.

To defragment :
1. Open the Start Menu
2. Click on My Computer
3. Right Click your C: drive or your hard drive image.
4. Scroll down to the Properties and Click
5. In the Properties Menus, Open the Tools menu.
6. Choose Defragment Now.

Tip #3 : Paging file (Pagefile.sys) size may be too large

paging file (Pagefile.sys) is a hidden file on your computer's hard disk that Windows XP uses as if it were random access memory (RAM). Therefore this file can be huge. On shutdown it must be cleared. This can cause very slow computer shutdown. We can avoid this by instructing our computer to not close this file during shutdown.Warning this a a dangerous tip because you to edit your manually registry. This can cause serious damage. A registry cleaner may be able to perform this function for you.

To instruct XP to not to close pagefile.sys
1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type regedit.exe
4. Find the folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESystemCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory
5. At this point you will see a list of files, Double click on Clear Page File At Shutdown
6. Change the value of the paging file to "0"

Tip #4: Check Your Device Drivers

When your computer shutdown, the operating system must disengage from all your hardware devices. This action allows the devices to power off. If the device has error or cannot be find the device, Windows will have a very slow shutdown or even hang forever. Updating the driver or troubleshooting it may eliminate this problem.Check your device drivers for any errors which are indicated by an yellow exclamation mark or an X. Following the below instructions to evaluate the driver::

1.Click “Start”
2.Click “Control Panel”
3.Click “System”
4.In the System menu, click the “hardware” tab
5.Click Device Manager to bring up a full list of installed
hardware drivers.
6.Right click and choose “Properties” to evaluate the status and troubleshoot the hardware device.

At this point, you can either delete the driver or update it. If you choose to delete the driver, when you restart your computer, Windows will search for a driver to replace it. It may replace it with a more suitable driver or request that you download a new one.

Can I have a Chat room in my blog?

It's simple, easy and free!

Now Widgets are very popular concept, helps a blogger to have everything in his/her blog for FREE. You can have free animated chat room, online counter, clocks, score boards and weather checks. Select and Click that's enough!

For a free Chat room in your blog.
http://www.shoutmix.com/main/
http://www.chatopica.com/
http://www.cbox.ws/
http://www.youcams.com/ (for Video Cam Chat)
http://www.widgetbox.com/tag/chat

How to create a icon? Can I use my photo as an icon?

An icon is a small 32x32(pixels)image.
The file name extention is '.ico'
Example : word.ico, games.ico, mydocuments.ico, myphoto.ico

The 'Paint' software is more than enough to create an icon.
(Paint is free with Windows)

To convert your photo as an icon

Start -> Run -> mspaint
open -> (your photo)
image -> attributes -> pixels -> width 32 -> height 32
file -> save as -> myphoto.ico

That's all. Now your photo is ready as an icon.
It's very simple dear friends.

free online storage

There are thousands of popular free online storage spaces available. Some websites even offer 50GB of storage spaces for free.

www.adrive.com - 50 GB
www.esnips.com - 5 GB
www.4shared.com - 10 GB ( I am using this for more than 2 years)
www.freedrive.com - 1 GB ( This is also a social network site)
www.rapidshare.com - (Most popular)

In these websites, you can store photos, videos, mp3 and documents. Almost accepts any file.

short cut keys for Windows

Shortcut Keys Description
Windows Key + D Minimizes all windows and returns the user to the desktop.
Windows Key + M Minimizes all windows.
Windows Key + SHIFT + M Undo the minimize.
Windows Key + E Open Microsoft Explorer.
Windows Key + Tab Cycle through open programs through the taskbar.
Windows Key + F Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
Windows Key + CTRL + F Display the search for computers window.
Windows Key + F1 Display the Microsoft Windows help.
Windows Key + R Open the run window.
Windows Key + Pause / Break key Open the system properties window.
Windows Key + U Open Utility Manager.
Windows Key + L Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).

How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore

1. Click Start.
2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
3. Click the System Restore tab.
4. Clear the "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" check box.
5. Click Apply, and then click OK.

How to start the system using "System Restore to Restore" in Windows XP? If Windows does not start,

* Press restart button
* Then press the F8 key when Windows begins to start.
Windows Advanced Options menu will appear.
* Use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked),
* Press ENTER.
* If a boot menu appears, use the ARROW keys to select Microsoft Windows XP, and then press ENTER.

How to Remove Norton Anti Virus from my PC completely?

I tried many times. But unable to remove it.
It's not so easy to remove Norton by using the Windows utility. You need to carefully remove from Registry also. It's little tricky and long process. Please do the cleaning with care.

First Step

* Remove Norton using Windows utility
* Start --> Control Panel --> Add/Remove Programs.
* Select Norton application
* Click Change --> Remove All.
* You will be asked to restart your PC. Without fail Restart

Second Step

* Start --> My Computer --> Program Files.
* Right click on each Symantec folder
* Select Delete.
* Go to the Common Files folder at or near the top of the Program Files window.
* Delete every Symantec folders.
* Again restart your PC.

Third Step

* Go to Start --> Search --> All Files and Folders --> More Advanced Options.
* Check each option except for "Case sensitive"
* Type 'Norton' and Search
* Delete each Norton folder from the search results (Again, right click, choose "Delete").
* For the third time, restart your PC.

Fourth Step

* Go to Start --> Search --> All Files and Folders --> More Advanced Options.
* Check each option except for "Case sensitive"
* Type 'Symantec' and Search
* Delete each Norton folder from the search results (Again, right click, choose "Delete").
* For the third time, restart your PC.

Fifth Step
The is very very tricky. Do it with care :

* Start --> Run
* Type in "regedit"
* Go to the top of the Regedit window.
* Click (+) next to HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
* Go down the thread until you see Software.
* Click on Software
* Scroll down the thread until you see Symantec.
* Right click on Symantec and choose "Delete".
* From there go down to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
* Go down the thread until you see Software.
* Click on Software
* Scroll down the thread until you see Symantec.
* Right click on Symantec and choose "Delete".
* Restart your PC.

Sixth Step

* Start --> Run
* Type in "regedit"
* Go to the top of the Regedit window.
* Click (+) next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
* Click (+) next to Software
* Click (+) next to Microsoft, Click (+) next to Windows
* Click (+) next to CurrentVersion.
* Select the Run folder
* Right-click and delete each Symantec entry you see (if present).
* Restart your PC.

I believe these steps can clean your system without Norton Antivirus programs

How to backup registry? Windows Vista

* Click the Start --> All Programs > Accessories > Run.
* In the Run dialog box, type 'regedit'
* Click OK.
* In the User Account Control window, click Continue.
* On the File menu, click Export.
* In the File name box, type a file name (sample.reg)
* select a location where you want to save the Registry Entries.
* Click Save.


Windows XP

* Click Start, click Run, type %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
* On the Welcome to System Restore page, click Create a restore point, and then click Next .
* On the Create a Restore Point page, type a name for the restore point and then click Create
* After the restore point has been created, click Close.

Note If System Restore is turned off, an instruction will appear 'whether to turn on System Restore now'. Click Yes. Then, in the System Properties dialog box, click to clear the Turn off System Restore check box, click OK, and then repeat this step.

online tutorials to learn HTML and Javascript

Javascript tutorials
http://www.w3schools.com/JS/JS_examples.asp
http://www.webteacher.com/javascript/
Advanced Javascript tutorials
http://www.wdvl.com/Authoring/JavaScript/Tutorial/
http://www.webmonkey.com/tutorial/JavaScript_Tutorial

HTML tutorials
http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_intro.asp
http://www.echoecho.com/html.htm

free SMS websites

* www.160by2.com
* www.indyarocks.com

Simple registrations required to send unlimited FREE SMS to any phone in India.
My choice is www.160by2.com.

how to convert online?.....

Visit http://www.zamzar.com/
In two clicks you can convert files from one format to another
It gives variety of convertion options like . . .

* Image formats
* Document formats
* Audio formats
* Video formats
* Other formats like (zip, cab etc,.)

Trick to chat with multiple accounts in GTalk

Create a Desk top short cut for GTalk
Right click on the GTalk short cut
Click properties

Select Shortcut Tab
In the target box change '/startmenu' as '-nomutex'
Click Apply and OK.
That's it! Now you can use GTalk with multiple accounts.

How to learn typing?Online

You have many wonderful website, where you can learn typing, jusy by playing. I'm listing top 3 websites, I like. It's fun & learn. Enjoy

http://www.powertyping.com/
http://www.artypist.com/en/typing/index
http://www.software-giant.com/software/v_0_3/

your photo in My Computer Properties

Step 1
Open Note Pad
Type the following lines as instructed.

* [General]
* Manufacturer=Your Name Here
* [Support Information]
* Line1=Your Name Here
* Line2=Your Address Here
* Line3=Your Email Address Here

File -> Save As "oeminfo.ini" -> Save in 'C:\Windows\System32" folder

Step 2
Use Paint Or visit picresize.com
Change your photo to 180 x 120 pixels
Save your photo as "oemlogo.bmp"
Save or copy in 'C:\Windows\System32" folder

Remove Autorun.inf Virus

1. Open command prompt. Go to Windows, then Run, and type "cmd" . Press enter.
2. Type "cd\" and press enter to get to the root directory of c:\ .
3. Type "attrib -h -r -s autorun.inf" and press enter.
4. Type "del autorun.inf" and press enter.
5. Repeat the same process with other drives, type "d:" and do the same thing. then next "e:".and restart your computer.
6. Restart your computer and it's done. Enjoy the freedom to open hard drives on a double click.

How can I disable Autorun?

* Click Start --> Run
* Type GPEDIT.MSC
* Go to Computer Configuration --> Administrative Templates --> System
* Locate the entry for "Turn off Autoplay"
* Double click and change it as you want.

Google Wave shortcut keys

* Home
To go to the first message of the wave
* End
To go to the last message in the wave
* Up/Down Arrows
Navigate through messages
* PageUp/PageDown
To go to the next page/previous page within the panel
* Space
To go the next unread-message in the wave
* Ctrl + Space
Mark all messages unread (when focus on the wave panel)
* Left/Right Arrows
Shift focus between inbox and compose window

Messages

* Enter
Reply to the message at the same level of indentation
* Shift + Enter
Reply to a message at the end of a wave.The new message will appear at the same indentation level, at the very end of the wave.
* Shift + Enter (while editing)
Same as save or clicking Done button.
* Ctrl + Enter
Insert inline reply (while editing)
* Ctrl + E
Edit the message


Text Editing & Formatting

* Shift + Enter (while editing)
To finish editing a wave. Same as clicking Done button
* Ctrl + n
To make the current line is a Heading.
n is a numeric between 1 and 4
* Ctrl + 5
Adds bullets
* Ctrl + 6
Removes formatting
* Ctrl + B
Bold / Un bold
* Ctrl + I
Italics / Un italics
* Ctrl + G
Select Colour
* Ctrl + K
Adds a link
* Ctrl + L
Select the url from the browser address bar.
It's useful to link another wave or another wave id.
(Example : Highlight the text, Press Ctrl + L, highlight a url or wave id)
* Ctrl + C
Copy Text
* Ctrl + X
Cut Text
* Ctrl + V
Paste Text

How to connect your lap top with Wi-Fi network?

Click on the Wifi Connection icon on bottom right of screen and you should see a window that indicates connection, strength and duration. Click on the Properties tab.

This window will show the type of networking card installed. Click on the Wireless Networks tab.

Once the Wireless Network Connection Properties window is open you will have two options depending on how you set up your laptop.

If you do not see any networks listed in Preferred or Available networks, you will have to manually add the SSID. Click on Add. You will have to enter the SSID and WEP key (if required). Click OK and you should then see the network you just added in the Available networks box.

If you see the correct SSID showing in the Available Networks, then you need to click on Configure in order to enter the WEP key if that is required.

In this window, enter the SSID for the Wi-Fi network you want to access. Make sure you do not have CAPS lock or NUM lock while entering the information.

If a Network key is required, click on "Data Encryption and then enter the Network key you have been provided with. Again make sure you do not have CAPS or NUM lock on. Click OK when entered. If you have entered the key incorrectly a message will pop up and you will need to re-enter the key.

Next go to Start - and where it says Connect To click on that and you should see choices. Click on Wireless Network Connection and it should work.

How to change drive letters of Your PC?

* Start
* Control Panel
* Administrative Tools
* Computer Management
* Disk Management
* Right-click the drive(name you want to change)
(click in the white area just below the word "Volume")
* select "change drive letter and paths."
Now you can add / remove / change drive letters and paths.

How to create your own Sleep button in XP?

1. Right click on the desktop.
2. Select New -> Shortcut.
3. In the text box type rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState
4. Click Next.
5. Type Sleep in the text box.
6. Click Finish.

In facebook, how to hide 'Recent Activity' from others?......

It's so simple!......

Application settings --> Ads and Pages --> Edit Settings --> Additional Permissions.

Uncheck the box next to “Publish recent activity”

Note: You can find Ads and Pages under Notifications Tab

What is AC'97 sound

Today this name is not very correct from the technical point of view but it is already a stable statement which means that sound corresponding to the AC'97 specification is integrated into a motherboard. Due to a scarce program support at the driver level this statement is often associated with something crippled on a software level.

AC'97 is a concept which is not connected with a motherboard. It is a specification from Intel for an audio codec architecture (AC - Audio Codec) and digital interface AC-link, which connects this codec with Digital Controller. The latter can be realized in different ways: on a program level (only a bus controller is integrated into a chipset), on a soft hardware level (HSP, DSP), on a hardware one (DSP). In this case a controller or even the whole sound card are said to be implemented in the AC'97-standard (AC'97 compliant). The most of modern sound chips correspond to it: EMU10K1, CS46x0, FM801AU, YMF7x4, SSA7785, ES1970, AU88x0 etc. (The specification also contains a description of DAC/ADC of the modem codec MC'97. But the modem manufacturers doesn't feel a strong desire for hardware support of this specification together with a great deal of AMR/CNR/ACR-slots.)

At the same time, I can't say that mainstream chips which do not correspond to the AC'97 specification are of low quality. I can say only that in case of integrated chips (EMU8K1, ES18XX, CM8738) in ISA-solutions nobody guarantee high quality and functionality required today.

So, what can we get from a mainboard with a high-integrated chipset such as i815 which has integrated sound? Let's look at the scheme of "AC'97-sound" integrated into a chipset:

Instead of loading a CPU with operations with audio streams just partially, as it takes place in not expensive HSP-solutions (YMF7x4, FM801AU), in case of the "AC'97-sound" a central processor implements the function of a digital controller on the driver level completely! And an ICH (ICH - I/O Controller Hub) integrated into a chip of a motherboard by means of an AC-link bus controller controls data exchange with an AC'97-audio codec on a hardware level. So, instead of a bit strange term "AC'97-sound" it would be more correct to say "AC'97 codec based integrated sound with a program digital controller", or just "integrated sound".

But all these peculiarities are not necessary for an ordinary user to know. It is enough to install drivers and you can apply to the integrated sound as to a usual sound card. But you should know what advantages and disadvantages such sound solution has.

Integrated sound - who need it?

The advantages are clear: a low price, scalability and an update only at the expense of driver replacement. Disadvantages are a possible performance decrease on weak systems and often poorer functionality. The latter means absence of multichannel analog and digital outputs on mainboards with integrated sound since they are positioned primarily as business and entry-level solutions, although potentially there is a good chance to realize a normal sound subsystem.

Therefore, an issue of quality of sound processing on a program level becomes of vital importance. On the one hand, specialized DSPs with special mixing algorithms and real time effects are to some extent beyond comparison. On the other hand, as far as really high quality is concerned, on the top we have program solutions because DSPs of the same level are too expensive. Let's take, for example, professional 24/32-bit DirectX plug-ins. It is impossible to find fault with their quality and functionality, and a processor utilization corresponds to the appropriate level (one 48 KHz stereo stream processing in a real time mode on a processor of the P3-600 class takes only 10-15%).

Why Intel promotes such a pure program solution is clear. A processor power is constantly growing. And in 3D games in middle and high resolutions a role of a CPU is not so noticeable - everything is limited by a video card or by incompetent programmers. A user has not so much reasons to buy newer and better processors. So why not to load an almost idle Pentium 4 with sound calculations? Besides, it is possible to press Low-End sound card manufacturers. But in practice, they gain at the expense of a better functionality. At $30 one can buy today a 6-channel sound card (on the FM801AU) with digital inputs and outputs, a built-in radio, with support of all modern sound 3D APIs and with a soft DVD-player. So, till recently integrated sound outscored in all parameters only old ISA-solutions and met only the minimal requirements of a modern computer (ICQ sounding, CD-DA and mp3 playback), i.e. only business requirements.

But times change.

Sound subsystem of the Intel D815EPFV mainboard

The Intel's board on the i815E chipset is not an outstanding solution, but it offers quite interesting sound possibilities.

Hardware:

Integrated AC-link controller in the Intel 82801BA I/O Controller Hub (ICH2), with AMR and CNR support;

Stereo AC'97-audio codec Analog Devices AD1885;

The board has plastic connectors with a color marking of PC99 (mic-in, line-out, line-in), and two internal connectors - AUX in, CD in and an unsoldered connector marked as "front panel audio connector (optional)". It is intended for connection of a bracket with a mic in and out to headphones;

Software:

SoundMAX with SPX software from Analog Devices with the driver distributive weighing 54 MB(!). Optimization for MMX and SSE2 SIMD instructions for Intel Pentium III and Pentium 4 is provided.

Drivers:

Win98 SE, WinME and Win2K.

Game 3D Sound API compatibility:

• DirectSound/DirectX 8.0;
• Sound Production eXtensions (SPX);
• EAX 2.0;
• A3D 1.0;
• Sensaura Macro FX / ZoomFX;
• IA-SIG I3DL2.

Audio codec characteristics:

• full duplex up to 16 bit 48 KHz;
• SNR = 94 dB A;
• THD = 0.01 %;
• IMD = 90 dB;
• FR = 20 Hz - 20 KHz +/- 0.1 dB.

MIDI:

• wavetable synthesizer 4 MBytes DLS2, 128 GM-instruments;
• 1.2 MBytes, 360 XGlite-instruments;
• 1024 MAXvoice program voices;

SPX - Sound Production eXtention - is a new generation audio rendering technology. Sound synthesis is controlled directly from games and multimedia applications.

3D-sound from Sensaura:

• EnvironmentFX, 3D sound render with 26 presets and full support of EAX1.0/2.0, I3DL2 reverb;
• Sensaura MacroFX near-field effects;
• Sensaura ZoomFX far-field effects;
• Technology which uses separate HRTF filters for headphones and 2/4/6 speakers Digital Ear (upgrade up to the technology of individual adjustment of HRTF filters 'Virtual Ear' is possible);
• Virtual Theater Surround technology for listening to 4 and 5.1 channel sound tracks in movies (upgrade up to the similar technology for headphones 'Headphone Virtual Theater Surround' is possible).

Installation

The motherboard is supplied with drivers for Win98 SE, WinME and Win2K. The most interesting drivers of sound devices are implemented in the form of WDM-drivers.

Test system configuration:

• Intel D815EPFV board;
• Intel P3-550E CPU;
• GeForce2 MX video card;
• EgoSys WaveTerminal 2496 sound card;
• Realtek 8029 netcard.

OS Win98SE 4.10.2222A, DirectX 8.0a

An Intel's auto installer sets all necessary patches and reboots the computer automatically. But after all settings are done you will see only the SoundMAX v.2, despite the fact that the distributive of the latest version of the drivers SoundMAX3 is provided. So, we had to install the third version after a correct deletion of the second one:

After rebooting the system tray acquires a blue icon of Analog Devices:

When choosing the upper item you will see a control panel with a great deal of settings of the SoundMAX 3.0:

For speakers there are three variants: headphones, close stereo speakers, and far stereo speakers. Sound media is where you should choose a sound environment. There are more than 10 presets. Virtual surround sound is a function of creation of virtual sources in headphones or speakers. By clicking the picture you will be taken to the Sensaura site into a virtual shop where you can buy this upgrade (only for the SoundMAX3!) or to load a 31-day trial-version. I have tried to do this (the picture is an animated gif, for viewing it activate this option in the browser):

So, I have loaded my favorite player PowerDVD, set 6 channels, then activated a '2 speakers' mode in the control panel, as well as in the Headphone Theater. After that, during the composition playback with different multichannel tracks - Matrix, The Mask of Zorro, Blade - I conducted experiments with all variants of sound output through 2 speakers. And the Headphone Theater technology from Sensaura turned to be the best: first, the surround sound remains (if not positioning of sources), secondly, high frequencies are not cut off. When choosing the preset "headphones" there was some kind of virtualization of rear channels. At least, the sound was very interesting and much better than any "stereo base extensions" and Dolby Headphone.

Besides, there are extended options for making settings for a virtual auditorium, where a movie is supposedly watched.

So, owners of stereo speakers who have this motherboard will get some additional trump with the Sensaura Headphone Theater technology, which will be free for a whole month.

Another interesting and paid upgrade (without a trial version) is Virtual Ear technology. This technology allows for more than 3 standard presets for HRTF filters and for adjusting a 3D sound engine for your ears.

The next submenu also has a lot of settings:

The Wavetable synthesizer 4 MBytes DLS2, 128 GM-instruments is provided. Besides, there is a special MIDI+DLS2 file loader:

Above all, you will get three demo movies with specific tracker music. Why not? The DLS2 is an excellent format for user samples.

1024 MAXvoices refer to this synthesizer, and a standard 4 MBytes GM-bank is quite acceptable. At least, it is much better than a standard program Microsoft DirectMusic synthesizer with 3 MBytes of GS-samples Sound Canvas from Roland.

As for 360 XGlite instruments of 1.2 MBytes, I liked them less. An attempt to play GM and XG compositions have revealed not very good and severely distorted (as compared with S-YXG50) instrument voices. If you prefer the XG MIDI, then you will probably have to install something from normal program synthesizers from Yamaha - 50th or 100th.

Sample sounding was also tested on several karaoke files. Sometimes the 4 MBytes DLS2 GM-bank was better, sometimes the S-YXG50 excelled. The XGlite sounded blankly, and the quality of MIDI-channels' mixing was a bit dirty. But you might not notice it on a cheap acoustic system.

Line-out tests

The AD1885 model is called by the manufacturer only as the AC'97 SoundMAX Codec. Among interesting peculiarities of this codec I should mark out the following: a multibit SD-converter architecture, a variable frequency of the AC-link bus (from 7 to 48 KHz in 1 KHz increments) and a direct connection of headphones without an external linear buffer.

The tests were carried out according to a single for all sound cards technique.

1. Operation mode: 48000 Hz, 16 bits

Frequency characteristic (from 20 Hz to 20 KHz):	-0.57, +0.07 dB	Very good
Noise level:	-85.5 dB (A)	Very good
Dynamic range:	-80.4 dB	Good
Harmonic distortions + noise:	0.016 %	Good
Crosstalk:	-79.6 dB	Good

Overall score: Good (in detail)

2. Operation mode: 44100 Hz, 16 bits

Frequency characteristic (from 20 Hz to 20 KHz):	-0.87, +0.05 dB	Very good
Noise level:	-86.6 dB (A)	Very good
Dynamic range:	-81.6 dB	Good
Harmonic distortions + noise:	0.017 %	Good
Crosstalk:	-78.0 dB	Good

Overall score: Good (in detail)

The AD1885 codec has shown perfect results for an integrated solution! A very low noise level. Harmonic distortions in the presence of a signal exceed the respective characteristics for many modern sound cards. The Realtek 8029 netcard located 1 cm away from the codec (an ideal noise supplier) hasn't affected the codec's characteristics.

It should be noted that listening to the MP3 and CD-DA discs have left only pleasant impressions yet before the tests.

Where is the SPX?

Let's go to the official site at http://www.analogdevices.com/soundmax.

According to the link to the technical details we have found some examples of usage of this technology:

• sound of a car's engine in case of acceleration and deceleration differs from that of a motorcycle's motor;
• Sound of an engine at 5 miles/hour has a different timbre that at 65 miles/hour;
• bird songs in a sunny day are different from songs in a bad weather, and doesn't look like a worried cry of sea-gulls before a thunderstorm.

So, the SPX technology can modulate complex and dynamic sound images, where a usual sampler technology is weak.

The companies which are already developing games with SPX support are Sony Online Entertainment (PlanetSide), Moto 1 (NHRA Drag Racing 2) and Infogrames (Test Drive).

Tests in games

The Sensaura algorithms on which the game possibilities of the SoundMAX are based allow for very good quality of positioning and compatibility with a wide range of game 3D Sound APIs: DirectSound/ DirectSound 3D (DirectX 8.0), EAX 1.0/2.0, A3D 1.0, Sensaura Macro FX / ZoomFX, IA-SIG I3DL2.

The A3D 1.0 has only partial compatibility with this interface by means of translation of some its calls into the DS3D. Moreover, we can install A2D 2.0 drivers on any sound card and have sound conditionally combined even with the A3D 2.0.

The EAX 2.0 is, however, fully supported. I checked it in DeusEX (UT engine), Hitman: Codename47, Gunman Chronicles (HL engine), Serious Sam games. The positioning of sources was present, the sound was decent and didn't fall out even on such a weak computer as P3-550/128/GF2MX. The presets of EAX environment were switched on in all required cases. It was impossible to guess that it was sound integrated into a mainboard!

The latter game Serious Sam has means for measuring the system performance. Let's see whether the program solution is worth manufacturing.

We conducted measurements the following way. We called the console and typed dem_bProfile=1 . Then we started the first demo from the menu - Karnak demo. The game settings were set to Normal.

We compared the SoundMAX sound with an expensive hardware solution based also on the Sensaura - Hercules Game Theater XP sound card (CS4630 audio chip). To avoid influence of similar dll's of the SoundMAX and Hercules, the program and hardware solutions were tested separately by installation of their drivers on a blank system (thank to the Norton Ghost program for a possibility to create an image-file and immediate recovery of a partition from it). The second sound was taken out from the slot or disabled in the BIOS. As a reference sound for the EAX we have taken the Live! 5.1 Player card from Creative Labs. And to reveal how much of the performance the sound takes we also conducted the tests 'No Sound'.

The tests were carried out twice for each card, then we chose the best result. The stability of measurements is uppermost - a spread in values didn't exceed +/-0.1 fps. On the graphs, fps values correspond to the abscissa axis. The game gave a lot of results, out of which I have chosen the average and the lowest fps.

The first test in 16-bit color and at a low resolution shows just slight differences in the performance. The Live! is leading since it has the most powerful chip EMU10K. But the difference in a maximum of a couple of fps is impossible to notice during the hot game.

The second test was conducted at middle resolutions. The playability is not high due to a weak 550 MHz CPU. But the difference in middle frames per second is at the same level - 2..3 fps. Since the performance is mainly limited by the video card at middle and high resolutions, the CPU has enough time to process both soft and hardware sound. The differences between the 'NoSound' mode and the program sound are slight, and become even less distinguishable with an increase of resolution or the CPU performance.

As for the quality of the sound, I haven't noticed any difference between the Hercules and the SoundMAX. The Live! 5.1 sounded just a bit better: there were more high frequencies, separate sounds were better heard in the general sound atmosphere. By the way, this demo tests very good the real quality of mixing of many sound streams - sources of the sound on a game scene. And there are at least 3 dozens of sounds there! :) Maybe the MIDI of the Live! is unclaimed, but it has algorithms of mixing of several tens of sound tracks in the excellent 32-bit quality without losses in sharpness and juiciness of sounding with the perfect reverberation... It is interesting whether someone one day will be able to win from the "king of sound Live!". On the other hand, I can't say that all those nuances and differences are critical. On cheap plastic speakers you might miss half of sounds, not counting finer details... And of course, for the integrated sound the shown quality is more than just good! It seems that Intel knowingly concluded an exclusive contract with Analog Devices for this technology till the end of the year.

And what about the multichannel sound?

we asked the Intel developers. They answered that to provide flexibility for OEM companies and to reduce initial expenses of buyers the mainboards will be equipped with only a stereo codec. And to extend the possibilities, be it 6-channel sound or a digital S/PDIF-output, there is a separate CNR extension card. We hope to fetch these sound CNR cards as soon as possible, and then we will tell you about all advantages and disadvantaes of such solutions in a separate article.

Conclusion

The integrated sound SoundMAX with SPX from Intel and Analog Devices showed that one can make an excellent thing from a program solution, which won't yield to much more expensive hardware solutions either in functionality or in quality.

Highs of the SoundMAX:

• No need to purchase a separate sound card;
• High quality AC'97 SoundMAX Codec AD1885;
• Compatibility with a wide range of gaming 3D Sound APIs: DirectSound/ DirectSound3D (DirectX 8.0), EAX 1.0/2.0, A3D 1.0, Sensaura Macro FX / ZoomFX, IA-SIG I3DL2;
• The HRTF-filter technology for headphones and speakers Digital Ear (upgrade up to the technology of individual adjustment of HRTF filters Virtual Ear is possible);
• Virtual Theater Surround technology for listening to 4 and 5.1 channel sound tracks in movies (upgrade up to the similar technology for headphones Headphone Virtual Theater Surround is possible);
• MIDI possibilities allow for making a choice between a wavetable synthesizer with 4 MBytes DLS2 samples of 128 GM-instruments and 1.2 MBytes of 360 XGlite-instruments;
• Low CPU utilization in games even with a weak processor;
• A powerful CPU mustn't at last stand idle at high resolutions waiting for a next frame from a video card. :)

Lows of the SoundMAX:

• Lack of 4 and 6-channel possibilities (they appear only with the CNR card);
• Lack of a digital output (appears with the CNR card);
• Paid upgrade of the Virtual Ear and Headphone Virtual Theater Surround from Sensaura (on the other hand, a buyer has not to pay for them initially if he doesn't need them).

Hard Drive Error Codes

Here is a few examples of IDE Hard Drive errors you may experience. These are all signs of a failed or failing hard drive, if you experience one of these errors you may need the services Data Recovery AID can provide. mail to me for professional consultation.

1701 Fixed disk general POST error
1702 Drive/controller time-out error
1703 Drive seek error
1704 Controller failed
1705 Drive sector not found error
1706 Write fault error
1707 Drive track O error
1708 Head select error
1709 Error Correction Code (ECC) error
1710 Sector buffer overrun
1711 Bad address mark
1712 Internal controller diagnostics failure
1713 Data compare error
1714 Drive not ready
1715 Track O indicator failure
1716 Diagnostics cylinder errors
1717 Surface read errors
1718 Hard drive type error
1720 Bad diagnostics cylinder
1726 Data compare error
1730 Controller error
1731 Controller error
1732 Controller error
1733 BIOS undefined error return
1735 Bad command error
1736 Data corrected error
1737 Bad track error
1738 Bad sector error
1739 Bad initialization error
1740 Bad sense error
1750 Drive verify failure
1751 Drive read failure
1752 Drive write failure
1753 Drive random read test failure
1754 Drive seek test failure
1755 Controller failure
1756 Controller Error Correction Code (ECC) test failure
1757 Controller head select failure
1780 Seek failure; drive 0
1781 Seekfailure; drive 1
1782 Controller test failure
1790 Diagnostic cylinder read error; drive 0
1791 Diagnostic cylinder read error; drive 1

Here are some SCSI errors you may encounter. These are all signs of a failed or failing hard drive, if you experience one of these errors you may need the services Data Recovery AID can provide. for professional consultation.mail to me

096xxxx SCSI adapter with cache (32-bit) errors
112xxxx SCSI adapter (16-bit without cache) errors
113xxxx System board SCSI adapter (16-bit) errors
210xxxx SCSI fixed disk errors

How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system

Determine the operating system bit count

Locate the operating system that is running on your computer in this section, and then follow the steps to determine the bit count of your operating system.

Windows Vista

If you have Windows Vista, there are two methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version. If one does not work, try the other.

Method 1: View System window in Control Panel

1. Click Start
   
   , type system in the Start Search box, and then click system in thePrograms list.
2. The operating system is displayed as follows:
   • For a 64-bit version operating system: 64-bit Operating System appears for the System type under System.
   • For a 32-bit version operating system: 32-bit Operating System appears for the System type under System.

Method 2: View System Information window

1. Click Start
   
   , type system in the Start Search box, and then click System Information in the Programs list.
2. When System Summary is selected in the navigation pane, the operating system is displayed as follows:
   • For a 64-bit version operating system: x64-based PC appears for the System type under Item.
   • For a 32-bit version operating system: x86-based PC appears for the System type under Item.

If you cannot determine the operating system bit count with these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.

Windows XP

If you have Windows XP, there are two methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version. If one does not work, try the other.

Method 1: View System Properties in Control Panel

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
3. Click the General tab. The operating system is displayed as follows:
   • For a 64-bit version operating system: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version <> appears under System.
   • For a 32-bit version operating system: Windows XP Professional Version appears under System.
   Note is a placeholder for a year.

Method 2: View System Information window

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
3. When System Summary is selected in the navigation pane, locate Processor underItem in the details pane. Note the value.
   • If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows.
   • If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of Windows.

If you cannot determine the operating system bit count with these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.

Windows Server 2003

If you have Windows Server 2003, there are two methods to determine whether you are running a 32-bit or a 64-bit version. If one does not work, try the other.

Method 1: View System Properties in Control Panel

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
3. Click the General tab. The operating system is displayed as follows:
   • For a 64-bit version operating system: Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition appears under System.
   • For a 32-bit version operating system: Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition appears under System.

Method 2: View System Information window

1. Click Start, and then click Run
2. Type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
3. When System Summary is selected in the navigation pane, locate Processor underItem in the details pane. Note the value.
   • If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of Windows.
   • If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with EM64T or ia64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of Windows.

If you cannot determine the operating system bit count by using these methods, go to the "Next Steps" section.

Notes

• To find the computer’s bit count, see the documentation that was included with the computer, or contact the hardware manufacturer.
• Intel Itanium-based computers can run only 64-bit versions of Windows. Intel Itanium-based computers cannot run 32-bit versions of Windows. Currently, 64-bit versions of Windows run only on Itanium-based computers and on AMD64-based computers.

APPLIES TO

Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 Update Rollup 2
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium Beta
Windows Vista Ultimate Beta
Windows Vista Starter
Windows Vista Ultimate
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-Based Systems
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition

How to check Windows for 32-bit OS or 64-bit OS

You can find out whether your system is installed with a 32-bit or 64-bit (Microsoft labels them as x86 or x64) based operating system, which requires specifically built software application.

For computer or PC that has been installed long time ago and user forgets about its version, or has changed owner several times, and user no longer sure whether he or she is running a 32-bit or 64-bit (x32 or x64) version of Windows operating system, use following methods to determine and find out which version actually it’s.


Windows Vista

Method 1

1. Click Start, then click on Run or Start Search.
2. Type msinfo32.exe and then press Enter key.
3. In “System Information”, review the value for the System Type item:

• For 32-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x86-based PC.
• For 64-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x64-based PC.

Method 2

1. Click Start, type system in the “Start Search” box, and then click system in the “Programs” list.
2. The operating system appears as follows:

• For a 64-bit version operating system: 64-bit Operating System appears for the “System type” under “System”.
• For a 32-bit version operating system: 32-bit Operating System appears for the “System type” under “System”.

Method 3

1. Click Start, type system in the “Start Search” box, and then click System Information in the “Programs” list.
2. The operating system appears as follows:

• For a 64-bit version operating system: x64-based PC appears for the “System type” under “Item”.
• For a 32-bit version operating system: x86-based PC appears for the “System type” under “Item”.

Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Method 1

1. Click Start, then click on Run or Start Search.
2. Type msinfo32.exe and then press Enter key.
3. In “System Information”, review the value for the System Type item:

• For 32-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x86-based PC.
• For 64-bit editions of Windows, the value of the System Type item is x64-based PC.

Method 2

1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:

• For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Version appears under System.
• For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version appears under System.

Note is a placeholder for a year.


Method 3

1. Click Start, click Run, type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
2. In the details pane, locate Processor under Item. Note the value.

• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with ia64 or AMD64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Method 1

1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
2. Click the General tab. The operating system appears as follows:

• For a 64-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition appears under System.
• For a 32-bit version operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition appears under System.

Method 2

1. Click Start, click Run, type winmsd.exe, and then click OK.
2. In the details pane, locate Processor under Item. Note the value.

• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with x86, the computer is running a 32-bit version of the Windows operating system.
• If the value that corresponds to Processor starts with EM64T or ia64, the computer is running a 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.