Cold Morning on the Shore
by DPollitt on October 30, 2008
in Photography
Cold Morning on the Shore, originally uploaded by dpollitt.
I have neglected this blog for 20 days now, so I figured I would at least post some semi new content. Enjoy.
-DPollitt
How to reformat a computer using Windows XP
by DPollitt on October 10, 2008
in Software, Technology
1. First understand that doing this will erase everything on the computer. You will not have any files of any kind that you created previously after this process. If you are confused about this part, research before continuing on with this guide.
2. Make sure that your computer is set to Boot to CD. This is a different procedure depending on your computer. When your computer first boots look for an option to enter the BIOS settings. It typically is a key like F1, F2, Esc, Del etc. But watch closely when the computer starts up and it will tell you which key to enter. Under the BIOS settings find the “Boot Order” and make sure the CD-ROM is set to boot first. Be sure to save the changes you made in the bios, usually it will ask you to save before exiting.
- This website has common keys used to enter the bios if you are having trouble:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
3. With the Windows XP CD in the CD-ROM drive, save your BIOS settings and exit.
4. If you’ve done everything correctly you should be asked to “Press Any Key to Boot from CD”.
5. Windows will install the necessary setup files
6. When asked if you want to setup or repair hit enter to setup Windows XP now. F8 to agree with the license terms.
7. If the setup program detects an exisiting installation of Windows and asks if you want to repair it, hit Esc to skip the repair.
8.Windows XP will display your partitions. Delete any existing partitions by selecting the desired partition with the arrow keys, press D to delete and then L to confirm the deletion.
9. You should now have only one option, “Unpartitioned Space”. Press Enter to install Windows XP to the unpartitioned space.
10. When asked how you would like to format the partition, select “Format using the NTFS file system(Quick)”.
11. After the partition is formatted, Windows XP will begin installation. The computer will reboot. While the computer is rebooting, please do not touch any keys. From now on the screens will look like the following:
12. Enter your product key. If you are reformatting using a Windows XP CD that came with your computer, the product key may be located on a sticker somewhere on your computer case.
13. When asked for Network Settings, choose “Typical Settings”.
14. When asked what to name the computer, give it a unique name like NewLab1.
15. When asked for an Administrator password, provide one.
16. Windows XP will now complete installation. Upon completion you will need to re-install the drivers for your hardware (Modem, Sound, Video, etc). Many PC companies such as Dell, Gateway, and HP will include a “Driver Installation CD” with the computer. Simply insert the CD and follow the instructions. Otherwise, you can download current drivers from many manufacturer’s driver download/support sites.
17. Typically if you can get the Network card working first, that makes it easier so you can then use the computers own internet connection to download the rest of the drivers.
18. Test the internet, sound(using headphones or speakers, I like to boot up Windows Media Center-have it search for local music, then play a song), and make sure that the screen resolution is a decent value. If any of these have issues, you need different drivers.
19. If you are having trouble finding the correct drivers, right click on My Computer and select Manage. Then select Device Manager from the list on the left. This will give you a list of all your hardware, and a yellow question mark will appear next to any devices that are not working correctly. You can use this list of devices to help determine the type of hardware(model number,version,etc) that you need to get the driver for.
20. Make sure to run Windows Update to get all the most recent windows updates and bug fixes.
Quick Guide:
1.Set bios to boot from cd, boot into Windows Disc.
2.Install new copy of windows after removing and deleting all partitions.
3.Click through the windows install process by answering all questions.
4.Once inside windows, download and install all necessary drivers.
More help:
Microsoft instructions on Formatting: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348
Cyberwalker has great resources: http://www.cyberwalker.com
Guide created by David Pollitt 10/10/2008 dpollitt.net
New browser uses my image as application icon
by DPollitt on October 1, 2008
in Photography, Software
Recently a developer contacted me about using one of my photos he found on flickr for a new application he was creating. The program has been released as a public demo, and is named Stainless.
Stainless is a free browser demo for OS X based on WebKit and the multi-process ideology behind Google Chrome. It’s young and a little feature-light, but until Google officially releases Chrome for the Mac, it could be a nice alternative to the rough-around-the-edges CrossOver Chromium.
Give this application a look, and notice on the ‘about’ page there is a little link to my photo site. Pretty cool.
Original Image on flickr: Here
Download Stainless App: Stainless