Like many power users, I open a lot of tasks, and work very fast on the computer. However a single core processor for instance AMD Athlon 64 3700+ limits the applications I could execute simultaneously and quickly. Therefore I decided to upgrade the CPU and replace the current one with AMD’s Athlon X2 4600 plus.

When I noticed how less processors are available, especially the dual core for socket 939, I was frighten, maybe i would miss the chance to buy one for my current Mainboard at all. Many stores showed that it was out of stuck. EBay listed a few, but all were from a different country, which means longer shipping time. Finally I found an online store, offering the 4600+ for socket 939 – five were available. Then I ordered it on 6 January 2007 and received it today. Two days later it was out of stuck as well!

Today I received it and went ahead to install the new CPU. I removed the cooler, it was tapping on the previous processor, took some time, but succeeded finally. I was nervous less, removed the processor, took the new, placed it, set the cooler back, and booted up the computer.

At the end my operating system, Windows Professional x64, ran, loaded the new CPU, wanted to reboot, thus the main upgrade process finished, the system was running.

My home network is still wired. It’s annoying to plug and unplug the LAN device, when I connect the laptop. Also, after many turns and plugs, it probably breaks.

A few years ago, I used my mobile phone, Nokia 6600, and went online using Bluetooth and Windows XP Home. Of course, I forgot how I did, thus I tried to figure it out once again.

However, this time I tried to connect my laptop to the workstation, which is connected to a router, that is connected to a cable modem.

Now it’s evening and works! Finally.

The configuration is easy. I used Windows XP’s NAT (Network Address Translation). It can be installed and configured using the next commands.

• netsh routing ip nat install
• netsh routing ip nat add interface “Local Area Connection” full
• netsh routing ip nat add interface “Bluetooth Network Connection” private

The final step is to allow incoming connection. I used the connection wizard build into Windows XP (see “Create a new connection” in Network Connections”). The default setting was fine. By the way I assigned the DHCP IP range at my own. It was done. I started up the laptop and it already showed, that it was connected online.

 Since I bought a new computer, each component separately,  the RAM was incompatible with the mainboard. Although changing the RAM settings in BIOS to manual, what made the system stable, was insufficient for my needs. After reviewing the mainboard book, I found the CL3 version of Kingston 1 GB module being compatible and fast. Soon I ordered it on Amazon online store. My Computer’s performance increased in application loading times and visual movements. The only drawback was the bad smell. However, one day later it was fine, the smell decreased entirely. When I saw the improvement, I ordered one more. Now my system works with two Gigabyte of memory.

Although virtual RAM seemed useless, I thought about a technical suggestion I have read on Microsoft’s MSDN site: Set paging file (virtual ram) to a other hard drive than the Windows installation. Most PCs running Windows however contain one hard drive like mine, RAID 1 mirror. Therefore I bought a cheap external case and mounted one of my hard drives inside, which was dusting in my room.

Finally I removed the page file from the Windows drive and set it to the USB external drive. The improvement was immediately noticed. Actually I disabled Welcome Screen and set the machine to login itself. I have seen the loading profiles message with the old settings, but now the LCD screen disappeared, it said that the screen mode was unsupported, and I was required to power off the screen. When I powered the screen on again, I saw my Desktop already. After changing the LCD to use 75 hertz instead of 60, the issue was solved. Now I noticed right after the Windows XP boot screen my Desktop! What an performance improvement!

Today I increased CPU speed stepwise: 3%, 5%, 8%, 10%. The temperature stated good and the system has been stable. AMD 64 3700+ used to run at 2.2 GHz, now it’s at 2.4 GHz like AMD 64 4000+.

AMD Cool’n'quiet increases voltage, when the CPU is overloaded. However using office, watching TV, or playing DVD save power and run at 1.1 GHz. I would love to see the same technology with graphic cards — the current idle temperature is 57°C.

I’m glad. Today I received a short notification on my mobile phone. It said that my Laptop was repaired, I could come and get it. From my friend, see the post below the post, I went home, took my Laptop’s bag, and went to the store.

I arrived shortly. A customers took his external hard drive, the guy checked it. Finally his PC crashed. Indeed, he said, there are some issue with the drive and will sent back to the manufacture. Delay is approximately two weeks. I thought, great, the same thing you said to me, but I waited six weeks. Anyway finally I talked with the technician, received my Laptop, but one thing was missing, the battery. After a short discussion, I received it also and went home.

I bought a new system, mainboard and CPU, kept my old Operating System installation, and the drivers interfered — it worked unstable. My old system was running Windows 2000 which is intend for 32 bit processors but rarely for AMD 64-bit.

Although the hardware is compatible with 32 bit software, the system will lose performance. Therefore I decided to pick a new Operating System, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. Also it was cheaper than Windows XP SP2 Professional.

However the new hardware had some issues. It took some while to figure out — blog is empty for that time. Finally the RAM was replaced and manually configured in BIOS to fit the manufacturer’s specifications.

Yesterday I installed Windows XP x64 Edition the first time. It went smoothly. I will activated the product, when I reinstall the system to run with IDE RAID 1. I currently have one Hard Disk Driver installed, but one more is required. The other drive is currently used as backup for the damaged Laptop whom will replaced in a few weeks.

I finished backing up my data. Although it’s my first laptop, the HDD is 100 GB — the RPM is 5200 that means “slow”.

However, I’m currently writing my posting using my laptop and Windows XP’s VGA mode. I see blinking and colored points everywhere on the screen. This is a sign that the graphic card will end soon.

When I bought the laptop, I thought it will satisfy my needs in programming, gaming, graphic design, and more.  Now I think, a desktop computer is necessary to accomplish all these tasks; laptop is good for small and 3d graphic less applications.

A friend of me showed me a few laptop models with SLI graphic. Of course, they were expensive. But my guess is, they need a replacement often.

The new PC seem to have some hardware issues.

Cables and cards fit in well. The PC hang with CPU, RAM, and graphic card after 10 or more minutes. “PC hangs” is meant as follow: No blue screen, no reboot, no screen.

I installed all drivers properly using the mainboard CD and graphic card CD.
One “!” icon is displayed at one mainboard chip component that is deactivated, but it’s not causing any conflicts; it’s some add-in for ACPI.

There are some IRQ conflicts at System-information, but ACPI is supposed to share IRQs.

However I’ve downloaded “Ultimate Boot CD” at http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ and started to check the hardware. The mainboard test started to count errors after 10 minutes. CPU and RAM succeed. Therefore I guess the mainboard is faulty and get them check it at store and hopefully get a replacement soon.

I woke up at 6 a.m. and was excited. I couldn’t sleep any more having following in mind: buying a new PC.

My old PC was acting weird, the graphic of my Laptop was dysfunctional, and I need at least one good and working computer for web design and work. Often it couldn’t boot the old system and heard the weird beep sound.

I arrived at the store at 9 a.m. , but it opened 30 minutes later and bought finally the mainboard.

A few hours later I went to get the graphic card. I was tired and asked a friend to get me two more parts.

We both then worked on the new computer and end up at the power supply that was missing — the old one will not fit, the new hardware requires EATX. All stores were closed that time.

I guess I will wake up again early tomorrow

Last week I won an auction on eBay. I sent the payment and finally received the package today. It contained my USB to IDE- and AC adapter.

I was curious and tested it right away. The first drive, Quantum 20 GB, failed. Everything stopped at the BIOS message. My second test drive, Seagate 10 GB, succeed.

Soon I realized the AC adapter is inappropriate for my old drives; replacing the AC input solved the issue.