Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

I repaired a friends Sony Vaio - VGN-SZ55GN notebook - the hard drive had died, unfortunately this was the 2nd hard drive and the first replaced drive didn't have a restore partition etc...



So I got my Vista DVD out and did a fresh install (mind you I wish Sony would take a page out of Dell's book on how to access hardware - getting to that HD took forever!).



Anyway - problem - the keyboard and touchpad now no longer work.



In order to do the install I had to use a USB keyboard and mouse - in windows the system recognizes that there is a keyboard and mouse as part of the system, however it won't use them, also I can't use them in DOS.



So I'm guessing that there must be a setting in the BIOS to enable these??



Can anybody throw some help my way? I can't access the BIOS screen, I have no idea what button Sony hid that under!!



Any and all help appreciated!

Reply 1 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

Bump - Anybody?

Reply 2 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

Go to esupport.sony.com and download all the drivers for the model in question.

Reply 3 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

Would drivers affect a non functional keyboard in BIOS? I thought it was only an OS that required drivers?



Plus still doesn't answer my question in how to access the BIOS from boot - would really appreciate that one!

Reply 4 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

Are you saying that you can't even use the keyboard to access bios (by holding down F2)? Does the caps light even work? If you can't access the bios screen, it sounds like you have a hardware error. When you replaced the hard drive, did you have to open the PC? If so, is there a possibility you may have touched the keyboard/touchpad cable?

Reply 5 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

EDIT: Ignore my post below - the problem won't be a mis-seated cable if Windows recognises the keyboard and mouse! Next time I'll read the post properly before I reply...



Both the keyboard and touchpad have ribbon cables into the motherboard - I'd defo make sure those are seated correctly. If I remember correctly, both are ZIF connectors so make sure the ribbon is in as far as possible when you click the latch down. For the touchpad, make sure the connector into the touchpad on the underside of the palmrest is correctly inserted too.



Hope that helps... it's a 7 screw job (1 for keyboard, 3 underneath, 3 on base for the palmrest).

Reply 6 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

Right, had another think about this.



Built in keyboard and touchpad are not responsive in BIOS or in Windows. Windows recognises both the them - are you sure it is the built in ones and not the USB ones that are being recognised by Windows?

Next question is whether or not a USB keyboard will be recognised by the BIOS - I would presume since USB can be used to boot from in BIOS so it must know what those devices are and handle them. F2 is used to enter the BIOS in the SZ series.



Drivers are used by the OS, the chipset has a different mechanism for recognising input, a much simpler and reduced set of functionality, so that things like the Fn keys do nothing. From the symptoms, not having BIOS react sounds hardware based, but having Windows recognise the devices sounds driver based...



If it were myself, I'd grab a live CD or USB stick OS and see if that can recognise the keyboard and touchpad as input devices. If so, then I'd reinstall Vista and write it off as a hiccupped install. If not, then I'd think it was a hardware problem and reseat the cables/check all the stuff is plugged in as it should be. Once upon a time, I spent days playing with Audio drivers when I forgot to reattach a daughter board...



Good luck!

Reply 7 : Keyboard/Touchpad HELP!

Thanks for the input guys!



I removed the keyboard etc, and then re-connected them into the board to make sure it wasn't a connection issue.



The keyboard is as dead as a doornail on boot - the only way I've been able to work on the laptop has been through the use of an external keyboard and mouse in the USB ports.



I know the keyboard works in BIOS as I had to use it to do the clean install of Vista.



The problem is even with the external keyboard I can't get any access to BIOS regardless of which F key I tried (and I've tried them all!).



Its times like these I'm cursing my mate for buying a Sony - they always make life so difficult, wish they were as simple as a Dell!

Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

This is nuts, awesome deal from Best Buy, VAIO SC - i5 2410/ 4G/ 500G Hybrid drive/ blu-ray combo/ push2tv (WIDI adaptor)/ WiMax radio, all for just $949.99!



May 1 release, pre-order at best buy starts from today.







Best Buy slaps Blue Label on Sony and Toshiba laptops, packed to the exhaust vents with extras -- Engadget

Reply 1 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Interesting. So the VAIO SC series is a BestBuy exclusive!?!?!

Reply 2 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPEEDwithJJ Interesting. So the VAIO SC series is a BestBuy exclusive!?!?!

no, the deal is exclusive, SC is available in Canada as well. best buy's SC comes with Push2TV and 2 year warranty, that's not available anywhere else.

Reply 3 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

How awesome is the deal really? Basically you just get the push and kaspersky for free.

Reply 4 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Interesting....

How do you put something up for pre-order, and it doesn't even tell you what CPU model, screen resolution. or ports? Do Best Buy customers not care about those things? The Vaio looks like VGA, HDMI 1 USB 3 and 2 USB 2 - no eSata.



----

update - I found some of the specs clicking back to the model pages through the cart - Vaio 2410 CPU I assume 768 res since not mentioned.

Reply 5 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddieaus no, the deal is exclusive, SC is available in Canada as well. best buy's SC comes with Push2TV and 2 year warranty, that's not available anywhere else.

In the USA, SC is Best Buy exclusive, yes.

Reply 6 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Quote:

Originally Posted by j0j1 Interesting.... How do you put something up for pre-order, and it doesn't even tell you what CPU model, screen resolution. or ports? Do Best Buy customers not care about those things? The Vaio looks like VGA, HDMI 1 USB 3 and 2 USB 2 - no eSata.

No. Think about it. A lot of people that go into Best Buy stores don't know anything about computers- that's why there's Geek Squad there. I told one of my friends to check out the Vaio SB at the Sonystyle store and he goes to Bestbuy and buys the only Sony model in stock- a last gen F. He was then telling me about how he got $50 off Geek Squad service etc etc. People like him are the typical Best Buy customers. They want a new computer so they go to the store and buy one there. There's no searching around the net for the best deal, no reading up on the models on forums such as these, basically "blind" purchasers that are at the whim of the salesperson or some tech savvy friend.

Reply 7 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Quote:

How awesome is the deal really? Basically you just get the push and kaspersky for free.

You also get a Blue ray reader and a hybrid HDD. Those two features alone are worth a few hundred dollars. If only WiDi let you play the Blue ray...





Looks like a great value. It also has a hybrid HDD, which is a good fit for this mid-level laptop/price.



It lacks a fingerprint reader (no big deal.) It has lesser graphics (6470) which is a big bummer. The 6630 is much better than the 6470. It also does not list the graphics as switchable. If not switchable you would lose out on the HD graphics better battery life and rapid video encoding.

Reply 8 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

Quote:

Originally Posted by tktk You also get a Blue ray reader and a hybrid HDD. Those two features alone are worth a few hundred dollars. If only WiDi let you play the Blue ray... Looks like a great value. It also has a hybrid HDD, which is a good fit for this mid-level laptop/price. It lacks a fingerprint reader (no big deal.) It has lesser graphics (6470) which is a big bummer. The 6630 is much better than the 6470. It also does not list the graphics as switchable. If not switchable you would lose out on the HD graphics better battery life and rapid video encoding.

Is the hybrid HDD in use in that VAIO SC series the Seagate Momentus XT HDD?

Reply 9 : Best Buy exclusive: VAIO SC with Blu-ray and Push2TV for $950

I wouldnt bet my money on the hybrid drive, there was a ready to ship model that came with it, when no one received it, they simply removed the hybrid mention

Audio out while using internet@tv

I was just told by Samsung support that audio out jacks (on my new 55" series 7 tv) for my sound system does not work while using internet@tv. We like to watch movies on vudu and other sites and to not be able to listen to quality sound as the speakers on the tv suck is hard to understand.Do I have any recourse? Anyone know of a way around this.

Really disappointed.

Reply 1 : Audio out while using internet@tv

I see in the quick guide that the analog output cable is not supplied. I wonder how you have this hooked up.
Bob
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/UN55D7000LFXZA

Reply 2 : Audio out while using internet@tv

The Audio out connector is supplied,the rca extension cable is not. That is not the problem. The problem is that when using internet @ tv the sound does not go to the Audio Out jack, hence I can not run it through my Home Theater System. We really enjoy the quality of the HD Movies from sites like VUDU and not being able to run the sound through my sound system is unexceptable. This TV is suppose to be top of the line. So we get to watch HD movies with the bad quality sound that the tv speakers supply. How can this be? Looking for alternatives or an answer why this is not stated in the manuel?

Reply 3 : Audio out while using internet@tv

"If there is no video signal, both the TV's speakers and the external
speakers will be mute."

Since the internet is not a video signal I wonder if some programmer took that literally.
Bob

Reply 4 : Audio out while using internet@tv

Will the digital audio out on the TV send the sound from internet@tv to my sound system?

Reply 5 : Audio out while using internet@tv

Worth trying.

Reply 6 : Audio out while using internet@tv

cheftom2,

(on my new 55" series 7 tv)

What is the actual model number?

And have you changed the audio option to "External Speakers" in the Audio menu?

--HDTech

Reply 7 : Audio out while using internet@tv

If you use ARC on HDMI slot 2 and select TV on your home cinema I have sound from the internet and it is in 5.1 and sometimes 2.1 but your AV receiver must support ARC for it to work.

nc4000 not posting

I've got a HP nc4000 in front of me, that had a few problems. Numbers were scrolling on the screen for 5 minutes, and then it POSTed but Windows wouldn't boot



First thing I had to do was enable QuickBoot, which was disabled in the BIOS. Fine, it now POSTs fine. XP still wouldn't load. So I tried booting it normally, and it hung on a black screen.



Rebooted, and it's just a black screen, no POST, nothing on an external display, but the fans are still spinning, and power is going to an external ODD. I thought it might be overheating, and have given a quick blast with compressed air, and the problem is the same.



Any suggestions?

Suggestions on a laptop cooler

Hi all,

I'm looking for suggestions on a notebook cooler.
Some of the features I'm looking for are:

1) As thin as possible
2) Ventilation ports on the side (not underneath other wise they would be blocked sitting on my lap)
3) Quiet and Lightweight
4) Small, my notebook is only about 30cm wide by 22cm long...so something that fits it snugly.
5) Shippable to Canada

A USB hub would be nice but hardly necessary.

The closest one I'm looking at this is:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834981001

But I'm a tad put off the negative comments. If anyone has a suggestion, let me know!

Thanks.

Reply 1 : Suggestions on a laptop cooler

Tronman I think youre on the right track here. The product youve got listed there looks pretty good, but the negative comments are a bit cautioning.

Personally, that USB hub inclusion would be great as I can never seem to stop finding things that require a USB hub.

Id just keep an eye out on New Egg or at Frys if youve got one near and go with your gut.

Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team

Reply 2 : Suggestions on a laptop cooler

Hi RonS,

Thanks for you reply. I've already ordered a Vantec LapCool 3 for myself: http://www.vantecusa.com/front/product/view_detail/4.

It seems to have all the features I want (minus the USB hub, but I have another small hub anyway) and the reviews are fantastic (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16262&vpn=LPC-401&manufacture=VANTEC). Just waiting for it to arrive!

Thanks,
Tronman

Reply 3 : Suggestions on a laptop cooler

Awesome! Make sure to post your thoughts about it in here after you get it. Im actually in the market for a new cooling pad as well.

Cheers,
Ron
Windows Outreach Team

Reply 4 : Suggestions on a laptop cooler

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=belkin+laptop+cooling+pad&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8355142536892925454&ei=PFj_Sa6DIdCrtgfI9KDFCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=4#ps-sellers

Don't know if this fits your bill, but I have used one of these and they work great.

Reply 5 : Suggestions on a laptop cooler

Hey, thanks for the suggestion, but I rejected that one before because of the other side of the fan on the bottom...plus I wanted something flat to be comfortable on my lap

Thanks again.

Reply 6 : Suggestions on a laptop cooler

the best cooling thats inexpensive is take your laptop apart and blow it out just doing that i reduced my temps by 15c and a good laptop cooler

Multiple Digital Monitors - anyone running?

Hi



I'm considering a Dell XPS15 laptop (or any Dell laptop). I'd love to run 2*HDMI monitors.



Is anyone doing this successfully? Maybe run the HDMI and the miniDisplayPort with a converter? Can I run both at 1920*1080?



Cheers



Dave

Reply 1 : Multiple Digital Monitors - anyone running?

This is possible, both at 1080p. dont forget to get a display port adaptor

Reply 2 : Multiple Digital Monitors - anyone running?

Nice one thanks.

Reply 3 : Multiple Digital Monitors - anyone running?

In fact, with the XPS 15, you can have 2 external monitors plus the laptop display.

planning to buy HP Pavilion dv6-3052tx laptop

I am planning to buy HP Pavilion dv6-3052tx laptop..



In some other site i found this model was discontinued..



Why it is discontinued? Whether i can buy it from other vendors.? Is it safe to buy?

Reply 1 : planning to buy HP Pavilion dv6-3052tx laptop

The model you were trying to buy is the 3rd generation of the dv6.

It have been discontinued because the model has been superseded by 3 generations, the dv6 6xxx. which is the 6th generation.

How to update bios ?

Hi new member from Canada...... My r500 has a nuked battery,want to update bios but say I need to have working batttery!!! Anyway to make this work?

jimbo_jones

Removing Keys

I did do a search on older threads, but most seemed to address using compressed air or fully disassembling the laptop in order to get under the keys.



Neither of these is an option for me because a) compressed air won't do anything to get rid of the STICKY D: and b ) I don't have a screwdriver lol.



So.



Easy question:



Is it feasible to pop off the keys to a chiclet style keyboard and then reattach them? I would totally try this with a worthless key just to see what the underside looks like, but when I tried looking for a key to test it on, I realized I use all of them o___o.



For what it's worth, I have an HP dm4t, I spilled some juice from those asian jellies underneath here, and my keys of sticky doom are r, f, d, and v :'(.

Reply 1 : Removing Keys

You could try Rubbing alcohol on a cloth and scrubbing the keys, enough to get some of the alcohol between the spaces which would mostly dissolve the stuff... just make sure you turn off the computer before you do that.

Reply 2 : Removing Keys

In addition I would buy the screwdriver and take the laptop apart.



Personally I use fuel meant for alcohol stoves, it's pretty much same stuff as rubbing alcohol but I can pick it up from the nearest gas station.



If you take the laptop apart, you can really soak the jammed keys. Those alcohol based fluids evaporate fast, just a gentle blow and keyboard is practically dry again.



Also a friendly reminder: wash your hands well afterwards and do not eat anything with fingers for rest of the day. If you don't believe me, just try

Reply 3 : Removing Keys

Actually, I think intentional dismantling is out of the question. I have an extended warranty on this thing that still has a year and a half to go. Too bad it didn't cover spill damage >.<.



I tried lifting the keys as much as possible and wiping a paper towel with rubbing alcohol on it, but it didnt have enough scrubbing action to get at the stick D:



Any other tips on removing the keys?

Reply 4 : Removing Keys

Yes you can just remove the black cover of the key and you will have 2 white pieces of plastic under it and you can clean it (make sure you use rubbing alcohol) and then just place the key where it is suppose to be and press down and it will snap it back on. when you take it off make sure you left from left side to the right or right side to the left dont go up and down

Reply 5 : Removing Keys

So I got my friend who's handy at computers to remove all the keys that were causing problems. I then used a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to clean up the top of the hinge, but I felt like a lot of the problem was underneath the hinge where the fat cotton swab couldn't reach. So I used the ony thin thing I had - a needle - to stat scraping away. BAD IDEA to anyone else who tries this DONT USE SOMETHING THAT CAN SCRATCH STUFF. It really messed up my keyboard temporarily to the point where I thought I'd have to either remap everything, or get a brand new keyboard entirely.



Now it's fixed itself a little bit (somehow, I have no idea though). Only major problem is that my capslock light is ALWAYS on (even though capslock itself is not; and pressing capslock still works but the light just doesn't change). And a few of my keys are still a little sticky. But I'd much rather deal with this than risk the whole keyboard problem I went through before.



The end . Good luck if this happens to anyone else.

Get wired performance from your Wi-Fi network

Here is an informative article on setting up a hybrid Wi-Fi and powerline network in a home application.



GK

Asus G60J - Maximum RAM Upgrade

I've been searching around the internet and I haven't found a definite answer so I thought I post here. What's the maximum amount of RAM I can install on my notebook? I currently have 4GB standard install but I'm looking to upgrade to 8GB. Some sites say it's possible, others don't so I want to get a final confirmation before I but them. Can anyone help me?



Also, is there any way possible to upgrade my notebook screen to a Full HD version? Asked ASUS and they gave a bunch of technical answers but I wanted to know if anyone has succeeded here.



Would really appreciate all the help.



Thanks!



Scirwode

Reply 1 : Asus G60J - Maximum RAM Upgrade

It obviously supports 8GB.

Reply 2 : Asus G60J - Maximum RAM Upgrade

As long as it's an i7 model with 4 ram slots it'll do 16GB max.

Reply 3 : Asus G60J - Maximum RAM Upgrade

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALLurGroceries As long as it's an i7 model with 4 ram slots it'll do 16GB max.

It only has two RAM slots which is 2GB x 2. I just want to make sure I can upgrade to 4GB x 2 = 8GB.



Scirwode

Reply 4 : Asus G60J - Maximum RAM Upgrade

If it's an i5/i3 model there have been numerous threads about this and nobody has ever come back and confirmed that it's worked after trying, although it shouldn't be an issue. Nobody has posted that it doesn't work either, just speculation.

Reply 5 : Asus G60J - Maximum RAM Upgrade

There is no reason for it "not" to work, unless asus specifically coded the bios not to recognize it (which asus generally does not do - but HP and toshiba will...)

Shipping on new i7 laptops - an amusing conversation

Since before Christmas last year i've been looking forward to getting one of the new Sandy Bridge i7 laptops Samsung were bringing out.

I checked dealers webpages regulary for news of the RF711, and was dissapointed when the Sandy Bridge chip issue hit and the products would be delayed.

Now thats been fixed, and the SAmsung website is showing the specifications for the RF711 on their website i thought i would start looking into when they would be available in the UK.

Most websites i visit show either "out of stock" or "x expected in 1 to 2 days" and have done so for weeks.



So, i thought i'd tweet SAMSUNGSERVICE.

They have said they dont now.



I thought i'd email Samsung directly.

The response i got was that they don't know.



I find this incredible, a company the size of Samsung and they dont know when their own factories are going to have items rolling off the production line?



I managed to raise a live chat session earlier and it went like this:









Nev: your website is advertising the new Sandy Bridge i5/i7 laptops - but i was wondering if you know when they will actually be available



Nev: i've tried tweeting/emailg Samsung, but nobody seems to know. someone in marketing or supply chain must know when they will be available?



Nev: well, i'm thinking about the UK unit specifically - but i'd expect us to be a month or so behind a US launch



Nev: when is the US laptop released? the RF711 for example?



Nev: so your website is showing a product: RF711-S02 Notebook | Samsung NP-RF711-S02 but nobody at Samsung knows when it will be in stores?



Nev: but Samsung doesnt have a timeframe for shipping from the factory to the dealers?





Nev: ok.



Nev: thank you for your time!



Crazy isn't it?

I guess i'll just keep waiting...

Reply 1 : Shipping on new i7 laptops - an amusing conversation

Quote:

Originally Posted by nevla Crazy isn't it? I guess i'll just keep waiting...

You may do better to ask one of the e-tailers who has NP-RF711-S02UK listed (this one says 2 to 6 weeks). They may know who in Samsung to ask about its ETA. There's the possibility that there's some component that is delayed because of Japanese earthquakes.



John

Reply 2 : Shipping on new i7 laptops - an amusing conversation

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Ratsey You may do better to ask one of the e-tailers who has NP-RF711-S02UK listed (this one says 2 to 6 weeks). They may know who in Samsung to ask about its ETA. There's the possibility that there's some component that is delayed because of Japanese earthquakes. John

I've been contacting etailers a lot - but i must confess it hadnt occured to me that the earthquake would possible affect things. D'oh! Cheers John

Monitor issue

I have Dimension 4550 and a about a week ago I thought it dropped dead. One minute it was working perfectly, walked out of the room, came back and everything was off. Did the whole routine of shutting everything down and back up. This went on for a few hours then decided to unhook everything and switch out monitors. No help. I was just about to give it...as it's older than I'd like. I pushed the computer back to where it should be and it moved the cord that comes from the monitor to the computer and everything came on. I left it alone for the next day or two then powered it down and hoped for the best. Booted up and all was well until my grandson arrived with instructions not to go near it. He didn't listen moved the cord and down it went again. So I shut everything off and was checking connections again and from what I can gather where the monitor is connected to the computer it seems to be lose. The screws tighten as they should but there's movement in the connector...hope I'm explaining that right. And any time movement shuts down the entire system.

Is there anyway that can be tightened without taking it in for repairs? I've done some work on this pc with the help of people on here. Thanks in advance.

Reply 1 : Monitor issue

While my advice is well meaning, you have to assume all risks.

It sounds to me there is something loose. Are you able to pull the machine out, remove the case cover to gently push all the cards "home"?

This may be a good time to pull out the video card and closely inspect the nuts and bolts that the cables screw into. Sometimes I find them backed out. I'll unscrew them to put a drop of glue on the threads and then screw them back in. The glue will help keep them from backing out. Here I rarely use more than one drop of glue.

Now would be a good time to clean the machine. Watch how at http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-1.html?tag=rb_mtx;wp_body

Bob

Reply 2 : Monitor issue

Your advice has never failed me yet...I think so far you have replied to every question I have posted.

What do I have to lose? Right now the machine is sitting out with the cord propped up against my desk...not the idea situation but it works.

I'll do as you suggested and watch the video.

Thanks for your advice and I'll let you know what happens when I'm done.

Raven

Reply 3 : Monitor issue

Bob

You are a genius...and once again I am in your debt. Followed your advice which was simple and took much less time than I thought. Hoping for the best, I put everything back together, put the computer back where I wanted it to be and booted it up. Perfection! It is running cool, quite and the monitor has not shut down the computer as it did before.

The video card was lose, actually the bar that snaps all the cards together was unhooked so that I think was the issue. How it got unsnapped I have no clue.

I usually do keep the inside as clean as possible, as I live in a very old dusty place. But I do have a question that dawned on me after watching the video, not sure why I didn't think of it sooner. I usually do use the air to blow out the dust in the fans but in this Dell model it swings open,http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-dimension-4550-pentium/4505-3118_7-20478986.html, so access to those fans are not as easy. They are encased as you can see in the image and the only access is to remove the metal plate from the back of the computer, as far as I can see. I peaked inside with a flashlight and there's more dust in there than I'd like to see despite my best attempts to keep it clean. The metal plate is held on by two screws but I really didn't want to mess with that without some advice if that is something that "I" should be doing.

Once again, thanks for your great advice.

Reply 4 : Monitor issue

1. Don't fix what works.
2. We can always make it better.

Let's take the middle road. It sounds as if everything is back to normal. But if I was faced with a machine I was unfamiliar with its assembly I would consider using the CANNED AIR with that little plastic air tube it comes with to give the access vents short blasts and then, call it done.

Glad you found the loose parts and were able to fix it.
Bob

Reply 5 : Monitor issue

Well as I stated your advice has never failed me yet.

So the middle road I shall take. Why chance breaking something that is now working.

I've used the canned air in the assembly since I've owned the computer so will continue to do so. Didn't expect that amount of dust from something that I've kept clean.

Again, thanks so much. Have a great week.

Raven

Toughbooks and Linux

1.FOR TOUCHSCREEN SEE #79 FOR TOUCHPAD SEE #88. IF ON A MARK 3 #79 SHOWS NO RESPONSE "YOU MOST LIKELY HAVE A DEAD TOUCHSCREEN"

2. THERE IS SOME VERY GOOD INFORMATION BY 9NINE9 STARTING ON PAGE TWO.

3. THE TOUCHSCREEN INFORMATION HERE WORKS ON MARKS 2,3 and 4.

4. PAGE 7 TOUCHPAD SENSITIVITY ISSUE. BREAK-THROUGH.

Finally got it downloaded and I got wireless about ten minutes ago.



Who's the Linux expert here?



I'd like to have touch screen back.



The touch pad is way slow even on highest settings. Driver?



Got tired of M'sft telling me what to do and I have always wanted to play with Linux.



It's Mint by the way and I do like the look of the desktop. Now if I could figure out what to do with it.



This is on my stock so far CF-29LAQGZBM. The backlit keyboard works fine and the space between keys seems to help my hunt and peck style with my big hands.



Any leads on the touch issues would be appreciated.

Laptop Forums and Notebook Computer Discussion

Jeff

CF-28 Touch Screen Installation with Recent Linux Distributions

Reply 1 : Toughbooks and Linux

What flavor of Linux are you using?

Reply 2 : Toughbooks and Linux

I have Mint as well, there were some who were trying but so far no one has been able to get the touchscreen working with any flavor of linux. Search the threads from about 6 months ago. I am trying to get Viking, which is a GPS mapping software, to talk with my GPS engine, so far no luck, but will try some more when I have time.

Reply 3 : Toughbooks and Linux

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gork! It's Mint by the way and I do like the look of the desktop. Jeff

If I would only read and understand.



When I first read through it I thought you were talking about the CONDITION!

Reply 4 : Toughbooks and Linux

Yeah try doing a search for anything with Mint and Toughbook and see what you get.



Is there an alternate driver for the touch pad? I would be fairly happy with that and am re-learning keyboard commands.

That mouse is bad for carpal tunnel and it's outside the Toughbook.

By the by I did read and "mess" with the post by Modly. Still working on that.

The saga continues. My goal? Equipping the LAQ with totally freeware. I don't believe someone should work for nothing and am not opposed to a gratuity here and there but M is out of the pcture for this unit.

Reply 5 : Toughbooks and Linux

Jeff

Reply 6 : Toughbooks and Linux

What is your touchpad doing? Mine works fine right out of the box with Mint, I have not installed any driver software, though I suppose I should use Wine to install the hotkey driver, but have just not gotten around to it yet. I know what you mean by MS. I love Windows 7 but refuse to pay such an exorbitant price for a product that at most is not worth more than $50.00. If MS would follow that logic then they would not have to spend so much time and energy trying to keep people from making illegal copies of it, but what do I know.

Reply 7 : Toughbooks and Linux

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gork! Jeff

That is the thread I was referring to....I am just not fluent enough to help, but on the other hand I might figure it out by accident.

Reply 8 : Toughbooks and Linux

I might try to search the Linux Mint forums to see if anyone on there might have found out how to make a touch screen work.

Reply 9 : Toughbooks and Linux

Just went through a small! update. Rolling again now.

My pad is verrrrry slow and insensitive.

Looking for a Mini 1000 SSD

I have a Mini 1000 with a dead hard drive that I'm looking to use to dip my toes into the SSD waters. I know that the level of performance won't be close to a 2.5" one in a full-size laptop, but I was curious to see how it ran in this thing. Not looking for anything high-end, just something in the mid-range (and hopefully relatively cheap) just for fun. So, any suggestions?? Thanks.

Toshiba L645-S4108

Hello everyone,



What do you think about this laptop for a professional IT who uses many virtualization programs and database works? What about using it for Gaming?



The following are the specs for the laptop:



Processor & Memory:



* Intel Core i3-380M Processor (2.53GHz)

* 3MB Cache

* 6GB DDR3 1066MHz (Max 8GB)

* Mobile Intel HM55 Express Chipset



Drives:



* 640GB (5400 RPM) SATA hard drive

* DVD-SuperMulti with Labelflash (supports 11 formats)



Graphics & Video:



* 14" widescreen TruBrite LED Backlit TFT LCD display; 1366 x 768 native resolution

* Mobil Intel HD Graphics



Communications:



* Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n

* 10/100/1000 Ethernet

* Webcam



Audio:



* Built-in stereo speakers

* DOLBY Advanced Audio

* Built-in microphone



Thanks in advance

Reply 1 : Toshiba L645-S4108

It would support Hardware assisted virtualization but not SLAT enforced in hardware which increases the overhead because the Hypervisor will have to hold the SPA for each VM in software...



Intel Core? i3-380M Processor (3M Cache, 2.53 GHz)with SPEC Code(s)SLBZX



5400 RPM HDD would be a bottleneck for any virtualization and especially if attempting to do DB work.



What type of gaming?

Reply 2 : Toshiba L645-S4108

this is ok with me...I usually surf the net and I don't use laptop for games so this specs is definitely suits my taste...

Reply 3 : Toshiba L645-S4108

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnjroach What type of gaming?

3D first-person shooter type of games!

Reply 4 : Toshiba L645-S4108

The Vid card is a business class not gaming class card and the 5400 RPM hard drive is still a bottle neck....you could play at low to medium res most likely...

my msi model u130

any ideas plzzzz help me i think i have downloaded a virus cos when i swich it on i get the start up screen then nothing its blank tried pressing f3 wont wrk the only thing it will let me do is enter the set up has any1 got any clue how to fix my problem

Reply 1 : my msi model u130

unplug any usb device you have plugged in and try F3. I did a search and didnt find anything like what your talking about. Closest thing to it was this forum here.





http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?to...prev_next=next



http://www.win7heads.com/repair-reco...sspnp-sys.html







try these and see if it will help you.

Reply 2 : my msi model u130

no they not worked i think i need to re install windows 7 from external drive do ya know how to get back my original windows without buying a copy

Reply 3 : my msi model u130

you have a product key that is on the bottom of the notebook. You should be able to down load it with another laptop to a external drive and go into your dos command at start up and run it off of the external drive.

W520 competitors specs revealed

HP has now published the specs for their competitor to the ThinkPad W520. The EliteBook 8560w specs are at HP EliteBook 8560w Mobile Workstation specifications - HP Small & Medium Business products.



Notice it has four RAM slots and 32GB of RAM listed as the max. Notice is has several power bricks mentioned and I bet they are all huge.



Looks like a MacBook Pro.

Reply 1 : W520 competitors specs revealed

Well, this option is noteworthy: 15.6" diagonal LED-backlit FHD UWVA anti-glare DreamColor (1920 x 1080).



"Looks like a MacBook Pro"? No way: there's a red "nipple" in the middle of the keyboard!

Reply 2 : W520 competitors specs revealed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaso Well, this option is noteworthy: 15.6" diagonal LED-backlit FHD UWVA anti-glare DreamColor (1920 x 1080). "Looks like a MacBook Pro"? No way: there's a red "nipple" in the middle of the keyboard!

Can't wait to see the price for a well configured DreamColor 8560w. Bet it isn't close to $2000.

Reply 3 : W520 competitors specs revealed

They're saying they won't be out until May!



New HP Elitebook workstations feature FORGE design

Reply 4 : W520 competitors specs revealed

Quote:

The best part in my own opinion is the beautiful IPS LCD display that is available on the 15.6″ and 17.3″ models. It’s the same display technology (from LG) used on the iPhone 4 and the iPad 1+2. The view angle is amazing and those IPS laptop displays can reproduce 1 Billion colors – it just looks fantastic. It’s not hard to imagine why designers -or anyone who cares about color accuracy- would want that.

IPS on 15-17" screens

Reply 5 : W520 competitors specs revealed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mech0z IPS on 15-17" screens

They'll also be priced a lot higher.



This post says we'll have to wait until May to get our hands on one: HP EliteBook 8760w pleasing on the eyes, works great to increase mobile productivity



By May, Dell's Precision Workstation laptops based on Sandy Bridge will be out. They, too, will have great screen options. People will have plenty of options by then. I doubt I'll get the deal I just secured on a W520 so I'll give them all a skip. Maybe in a year or two I'll get back in the market for a 17"+ workstation laptop. Until then we can drool over pictures:



HP Elitebook 8460w, 8560w and 8760w photo 1/ - Ubergizmo

Reply 6 : W520 competitors specs revealed

I absolutely love the fact that the button panel of the new laptop could be taken of with two latch.

Reply 7 : W520 competitors specs revealed

Elitebook is just getting uglier with every new iteration. I am not sure why they want to use this all silver colour on their system, and make it look like a consumer grade laptop.

Reply 8 : W520 competitors specs revealed

Red trackpoint? (or point stick)

Reply 9 : W520 competitors specs revealed

-

Horrible arrow keys.

Horrible point stick buttons.

Uglier than the previous generation.

Heavy.

Consumer optics when opened (nice display cover on the outside)



+

Awesome displays.

Easy to remove bottom plate.

What else?

Satellite A80 - bios update gone wrong

my A80 had a strange problem as described here : Model Content Page...



but since it's already after toshiba's warranty period, i downloaded this bios : ACPI Flash BIOS version 1.30 for Satellite A80, filename : sa80v13.exe.



since the unit stuck on the open screen asking for password (and no password installed!) i copy the file bt1013a.rom to diskette and renamed to amiboot.rom, and tried to update the bios using this method : Bios Recovery Procedures. plugged the external floppy and turned on the unit. after couple of minutes of nothing happen ( i thought ), i turned off the unit and tried to turned on again. but now, all i got is blank screen with strange beep codes, 4-5-3 beeps.



is there any way to restore my A80?

Reply 1 : Satellite A80 - bios update gone wrong

Have you tried and contact toshiba, i know it is out of warranty, but this problem is different than others. The laptop is unusable.

it's never a good idea to turn the unit off while flashing if you don't know whether or not it is done. My advise is to flash it again, and wait a bit longer. If that doesn't work you have to disassemble the laptop and take out the battery. Try to find the reset button if there is one. I hope you didn't screw up your laptop by doing the recovery because , sometimes, it can go bad.

Reply 2 : Satellite A80 - bios update gone wrong

i already disassemble the laptop, the cmos battery is soldered type, tried to short it, but still stay the same ;(

Reply 3 : Satellite A80 - bios update gone wrong

stay the same mean it locks or give you the beep code.

Reply 4 : Satellite A80 - bios update gone wrong

If the batt was soldered on one side, you might lift it up slightly and shim a piece of paper underneath for 30 secs and hopefully it will reset.