Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by misao

Dual booting Windows 7 x64 and Ubuntu Linux

misao — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 18:56:42 +0800

I'm currently running 32-bit Windows 7, and am planning to switch to 64-bit so as to fully utilize my RAM. While I'm at it, I thought I might as well dual boot Ubuntu, as I might need it for work.

Any advice on the cleanest way to do this? I'm thinking of just backing up my files into an external HDD, then do a full reformat, install Win 7 x64, then create a new partition and install Ubuntu there. Is there any other way to do it?

Thanks!

acpi.sys BSOD

misao — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:19:39 +0800

Running a Dell Inspiron with Vista, no recent software/hardware changes. It all started when I clicked on Firefox, and gave me a BSOD with acpi.sys error and 0x00000050 error code. Com automatically restarted, tried to run windows repair, failed due to acpi.sys error. Restarted again, after a few similar BSODs, finally managed to get it running in safe mode, but the desktop is completely black (can't right click on it). EVERYTHING else seems to be fine though. I can't access start menu or anything due to complete lack of desktop, but the documents window was open, I tried to run a game, and it worked fine.

The biggest problem here is that I don't have any system restore points, and I don't have my windows boot disk or driver disk with me.

Connecting to Time Netlynx with a Belkin router

misao — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:30:21 +0800

I'm using Time Netlynx broadband, and recently the connection was shitty (like, 10+ timeouts in a row kind of shitty), so I wanted to test whether it was the modem-router or internet that was the problem.

The only other modem-router I have is a Belkin. And I can't seem to get it to connect through PPPoE at all! I have set up like 10 modem-routers in my life, no kidding. This one just refuses to work. I have checked the encapsulation, MTU, VPI and VCI, etc... everything is exactly the same with my old modem-router. But it just won't work.

I can't even get a default gateway, and it lists my DNS servers as 192.168.1.2... when I definitely set the DNS server to 'automatic from ISP', just like in my old modem-router.

So I tried using the modem-router in bridge mode, and used a dialer to dial my service instead. This actually works, so that means the modem-router actually does support my connection (since Netlynx is a bit different from Streamyx)

I have to apologize for not listing my Belkin's model here because I can't find it... How to access the router page when you're in bridge mode? =/

Hospitals and LRT stations

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 07:30:00 +0800

Hospitals and LRT stations

misao — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:38:39 +0800

Anyone know which hospitals are within walking distance of an LRT station in Klang Valley?

I already know HKL is near Titiwangsa station.

Any others?

Recommend a shop to buy YOUNG hamsters?

misao — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:08:29 +0800

All the commercial stalls (e.g. Pets' Wonderland MV) have great variety to choose from... but their hamsters are so freaking old! The Syrian ones are full size already.. that takes a couple months at least. I want the winter pearl type.. and I'd prefer that they were young so it's easier for them to adapt to me. Anyone know any pet stores selling these?

Also... all hamsters' eyes are red when young, right? I know the Syrian ones are but not sure about the other breeds.

Applying for hospital attachment

misao — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:59:46 +0800

Any pharmacy or medical people have experience with applying to do electives or an attachment in a hospital? How did you go about it, what did you need to submit, and how early did you need to do the application?

Dilemma -- my overheated laptop

misao — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:09:38 +0800

I bought my Dell Inspiron during last year's pc fair in August. It's on a 1 year warranty.

The gfx card konked out due to overheating a few months ago. They replaced the entire mobo + gpu on warranty (heard it costs rm2k to do it if it wasn't under warranty). After that, I've only been using it in an air conditioned room while elevating the back on a book.

But recently I dled a software to show me the gpu and cpu temp and OMG the gpu temp was consistently at 90+ celcius, sometimes shooting up to 100+ when I'm gaming (it's just WoW on very low graphic settings!!). Even 'at rest' it was running at 70-80. Is there something wrong?! Bear in mind I was in air conditioning, the laptop was elevated, and I very recently vacuumed the vents in case there was dust inside.

I'm definitely buying a cooling pad ASAP. But now the dilemma. If it's been running at 90+ for the past few months, surely it's 'a bit spoilt' already? Should I call Dell and ask them to take a look -- maybe the vent is blocked inside, or the fan is not working well, etc? I'm scared that it'll spoil again after my warranty is over (I only have a month or so left), since it's been running with so much heat already.

Or is it just Dell's design? I'm beginning to think upgrading the gfx card to NVIDIA 8400 GS on the cheap inspiron 1420 wasn't such a bright idea.

Postgraduate studies overseas

misao — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:27:21 +0800

Does anyone have any experience with having done a fully local degree in Malaysia and then gaining acceptance to an overseas uni (in US, UK, AUS, or NZ)? Was it very difficult to secure a place? How many places did you apply for and how many actually offered you a place? I've heard that they don't place much emphasis on CGPA but rather on all-roundedness, English proficiency and your resume/interview -- is that true?

Also, to those who've done a Masters by research, how did you come up with your research proposal?

IELTS

misao — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:35:42 +0800

To anyone here who's sat for IELTS before, any advice/comments to offer?

I'm planning to go down to the IDP office soon and pick up some practice tests, as well as register for the Mid-June exam. Am HORRIBLY rusty where English tests are concerned because I haven't done one for years, sigh.

I'm a bit puzzled about the part where they said the speaking exam will be done 7 days before or after the main (reading, writing, etc) exam. Is it possible to request to do all on the same day? Wouldn't that be more convenient for them as well?

A few Qs for pharmacy grads

misao — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:59:09 +0800

1. If you apply for provisional registration (1 year) with govt, are you bound by contract to finish that year? As in, if you get an offer for postgrad studies or such, you still must finish your year and can't take up the offer? I know you'll be charged in court and your registration revoked if you don't complete compulsory govt service, but not sure about provisional year.

2. How long in total did it take you from the time you graduated til the time you obtained your full registration (completed provisional year)? Including application/waiting time etc etc.

Cooling pads

misao — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:00:43 +0800

Those who have tried using cooling pads, especially gamers...

Have you found that it decreases the temperature of your laptop significantly while playing graphics-heavy games?

My laptop always seems to overheat when I'm gaming. However, I read that cooling pads mainly reduce the temperature of your laptop at REST only, and have very little effect on the temperature during heavy graphic/processing tasks.

Anyone?

Algalon only spawns 1 hour a week LOL!

misao — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:19:53 +0800

As soon as I read that, this scenario just popped right into my head:

RL: Okay guys! This is it, one hour, I'm using the key...

*Algalon spawns*

*10 sec later, MT who happens to be Malaysian dcs*

MT: (on Vent) Ummm guys, I can't seem to login to WoW, hold on, lemme reconnect...

Guildies: Errrr... okay, be quick...

*1 minute later*

MT: Guys it still isn't working! I'll try calling my ISP...

Guildies: .........

*5 minutes later*

MT: #@*&^ I tried 5 times and each time it says 'All our operators are busy, please try later'!?!?

Guildies: WTF ARE YOU LIVING IN TIMBUKTU OR SOMETHING?!

MT: No, Malaysia.

Guildies: ..........................

AHAHAHAHAHAHHAAH

Laptop temperature

misao — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:20:56 +0800

My Dell Inspiron 1420 (with NVIDIA 8400M GS added) was suffering from MASSIVE temperature problems the past year. I play in an air-conditioned room and always have my lappie on a solid surface, but when I'm running any game at all it gets really hot, to the point that it auto-shutdowns quite often. In fact, it got so hot, that barely 8 mths after I bought it, the gfx card KO'd. Thank God for warranty.

Anyhow, since I'm starting afresh with a new gfx card (and mobo), what can I do to manage the temperature (warranty expiring soon heh)? Do those cooling pads work? Because I heard they only reduce idle temp and not the temp at which you run games. If they do work, which should I get? Does brand and type matter? And the sort that function through a USB port, would they actually tax your computer further since they're getting their power through it?

Or are there any other options?

QoS for wireless connections

misao — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 22:12:56 +0800

I'm using the Dlink 2640-T modem-router, and all of the connections made to it are wireless. It has a QoS feature that I read the help files about, however, it only seems to work for LAN connections as we have to specify the specific physical LAN port that we want to QoS.

Anyone know if it's possible to do it for wireless?

[addedon]March 12, 2009, 1:43 am[/addedon]Anyone?

LF DotA kaki

misao — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:50:39 +0800

My kaki all overseas liow, playing on other servers. And I absolutely hate pub games where teammates do nonsense half the time and talk nonsense all the time so... Anyone playing on msian GGC servers? I'm... not bad, used to be above average but haven't played for a few months, only recently had the time to get into gaming again. >_> So, anyone?

Garena ID: misao

Edit: Wah I just read the rules, paiseh. Why Garena not allowed lar... even the top-league online tourneys are hosted on GGC!

124.xxx ip (streamyx)

misao — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:46:56 +0800

Just curious, where does this IP line come from?

My neighbour's house has this IP (he uses a powerful linksys router... and doesn't enable security @@) all the time it seems. And it's darned good; most of the time when I can't find a good IP for myself I just use his, although the wireless drops once in a while.

The future of online gaming

misao — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:59:55 +0800

Not-too-recently, streamyx removed its 218 ip range from public use, also removed 219 and pushed all its users over to 60.

So now, the good range is gone, and 60 is sucking to hell and back due to too many users. There's 115, but it seems everyone's trying to get that now, so...

To all online gamers, are you guys having problems as well, or your area still has a decent range thats quite easy to get? Will there be any improvements in the future? If not, HOW TO PLAY ONLINE GAMES IN MALAYSIA LIDDAT? Can move back to stone age liow.

Short term or long-distance IT-related courses

misao — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:10:06 +0800

As the title says, I'm interested in taking short, or part-time/long-distance courses related to IT, programming, or web design. It doesn't necessarily have to be a degree, just a course or certificate in any high-demand programming language or skills related to IT will do as well. Preferably globally-recognized (no, that 3-hour 'make your own website' talk by Mr. Munasamy doesn't count...), that will assist me in freelancing or obtaining a job/internship in the IT field.

Part-time/long-distance: No longer than 2 years
Short-term (full-time, whole day): No longer than 2 months

Do any such courses even exist? Please help. I know OUM has long-distance degree courses for IT but they take 4 years minimum...

Yes, I know such courses will be considered sub-par to the typical 3-year-full-time IT degree programmes.

Is a degree really required to work in IT?

misao — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:06:29 +0800

For example: If I do not have a degree in, say, IT or web designing, but a company needs a web designer well-versed in html, php, perl, etc, and I have those skills and am able to prove it... would I stand a chance at getting hired? Without a bachelor of IT? Ditto with software programming...

Just to clarify, I don't have those skills (well except html)... yet. Was just wondering how useful it would be to acquire them without a degree.