Windows XP is Back!

So I’m finally back to good old Windows XP. I know you might be thinking that Windows XP is outdated with Windows 7 coming in and Vista being sold in stores everywhere, but I plan to stick with XP for a few more years. I couldn’t believe that I went from 800 MB of free RAM from boot up on Vista, to 1.5~1.6 GB of free RAM everytime I started up on Windows XP. Pretty neat.

I noticed the big difference in speed and I am quite happy with the results. I ran into one little snag earlier which is explained below.

So I first tried to install XP next to Vista, but I couldn’t because the drive was protected with SATA ACPI I think it was? (Not sure since my memory isn’t serving me well right now so, sorry if I’m wrong) So of course, my first source of reference was the internet. I read a few articles and found one where I have to switch the SATA/RAID setting (I forgot which one it was so I list both) to ATA. Then I was able to visibly see my drive, but by that time I forgot about the putting XP with Vista and just moving stuff from Vista and decided to wipe about 110 GB of my 140 GB hard drive. Took awhile for it to go through the NTFS file system setup process, but after that it was pretty simple.

Watched the Windows XP install screens, let it run through for about half an hour, then we go into the Windows XP screen with surprise surprise no drivers (as usual). So I pull out my Dell drivers disk I got and put it in. Used Inspiron 1525 model drivers with Windows XP drivers (Kind of glad they had those) and got my wireless card, graphics enhancement, webcam, touchpad, and a few other drivers placed on. It wouldn’t install my Sigmatel sound card driver for some reason which is where I got kind of frustrated. Everytime I ran the installer, it’d start up, scan my audio hardware configuration, then just mysteriously disappear.

So I reboot my computer, then when I start up, Sigmatel installation window pops up. I’m like, interesting…When it finishes I’m happy because it successfully installs my sound card in and I am done. I immediately get the SP3 update from XP (By now they have fixed all the bugs compared to my last test if you read about 4 or 5 months back with me testing SP3 in its early stages. I get avast! antivirus again, and start reinstalling items. SCWebcam3, Pidgin, WinSCP, Spore, Drift City, Diablo 2, Microsoft Office 2007, Firefox, and a few other programs that I often used. So I’m happy now, my computer’s officially Windows XP. I save RAM, I still have all my programs, and I get to do stuff super fast now.

That’s about it for today, we’ll see what happens later.

Back To Activity

So it’s been about a month since I have made another new post on here, but now I am making one. What I have been up to I’ll explain in a second. I named today’s post “Back to Activity” because I have been doing lots of things lately and I plan to share them below.

First off, I am planning to go back to Windows XP pretty soon. Why? Mostly because I want a fast computer. I admit that Vista is great, and has things we all love, but I think Vista is getting a little annoying as I boot up each day, wait 30 seconds, type in a password, then wait 30 more seconds before I can finally begin working. It adds up and I just want it to be more responsive and active. So, today I officially make the switch. I have backed up Documents and Pictures, and am starting it as soon as I finish this blog post. I know it’ll take a few hours, but it’ll be worth it. So how am I doing it? I’m using PC Magazine’s May 2008 “Return to Windows XP” as a guide, and am using the first tip they provide which is installing XP over Vista without wiping the hard drive. Then from there, I just transfer my old files, reinstall applications, and delete the Vista junk left behind. I was thinking about a reformat, but it’s not really much of something in my head to do right now. Actually, now that I think about it, it may just be easier to reformat…Hmm, either way I want to get it done. I have burned a few disks containing all of my document files in .rar format and have them separated by 700 MB archives.

So, now my second topic is basically about my gaming life. First off, I want to say that I am Lv49 on Drift City. Pretty neat. I’ve quit Fiesta so I won’t be talking about that anymore by the way. I have chosen some nice cars now, sold off my older version cars. I have pics of each one on the next page. Just click More to go through them. The post continues on the More link after the images and I included some older images while driving so you can see what cars I used earlier along with some nice scenery and such. (I chose to stick with OMD.)

A Virus, Z-Tower Defense, and Fiesta

Ah yes, what have I been up to. Well, on 6/15/08, I got a virus. I was actually shocked to see a virus on my computer and this was a first. I now have AVG Anti-Virus, but before I had Norton Antivirus, and I usually left it off because it was so slow. Anyways, this virus was pretty darn good too. First it displayed a message saying, “You need to download a malware or spyware removal tool NOW! We have found a virus on your computer!” and there was a Yes and No button, I thought, “Weird”. Then a command prompt appeared and disappeared and my wallpaper changed! It said “Download Malware and Spyware Software” in big black letters on a yellow background, I’m like, whoa. And then it shut down my computer. When I rebooted and logged in, it displayed the same message as above, and then shut down my computer, not loading my desktop icons or a start menu. I couldn’t load up task manager either, it just keeps shutting down. So I reinstalled Windows… Lesson here? Get AVG Anti-Virus.

Z-Tower Defense is now Version 0.5 and is coming along very nicely in my opinion. Quoted from the site,

“Most bugs found in Version 0.4 and 0.41 corrected and added features.
Bugs Fixed: Upgrading screen does not go away at each part transition, Negative Money is now possible, Tower selling amount corrected, No more getting “stuck” on a part, Upgrading screen now grays out SPD button if tower’s reached MAX SPD, Part VIII looping enemies has been fixed, Saved Game file is not automatically deleted if you press “Reset” button.
Game Changes: Selling Amount raised to 75% original tower price, The bullets created from the super bullet now do the same amount of damage as the main bullet if you upgrade it, Bullets can destroy things slightly outside the playing area, Part VIII enemies have lowered health since they were too difficult to defeat, Reset button depth put under the bullets now making it look less funky.
New Features: There is now a Get Ready screen where you can set up your towers before playing, Brown Background behind the hearts add a nice touch.
“

Download the new version at http://zgamers.selfip.com.

And finally, I have a limit on computer usage, so sadly I don’t play Fiesta as much. Oh no, I haven’t quit, just I usually only play an hour or two a day. I am still level 43, but oh well, I’ll have a day when I’ll eventually level up.