Recent Posts

4126

General Software Discussion / Re: Alternative connections to the www

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2011, 10:57 PM »

ZeroShell, (free), and WinRoute, (€199).

ZeroShell requires another PC since it's a Linux LiveCD which basically turns the PC into a super-router.  But it has the facility to provide connection failover, (switch to another when one fails).

A few hardware routers also allow for connection failover, mostly to another ADSL line or 3G wireless.

There might be a free proxy server available on Windows that will allow failover also.

I'm not saying it should be easy, (or even that I want to attempt it ), but in theory you could write a program that periodically pings somewhere, (say Google DNS), then following three consecutive fails it toggles the connection by disabling the failing one and enabling the other.

Sh!t, that almost seems to be too easy....time to fire up AutoIt.....

4127

General Software Discussion / Re: Where do i find the SATA Controller !

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2011, 10:00 PM »

$OEM$ directory contains any OEM specific files for installing Windows, eg. specific interface drivers, extra programs, etc, etc.  These files are copied to the destination drive at installation time - where they're copied depends on the sub-directory they're in under the $OEM$ directory.

$OEM$\$1 = The root directory of the installation drive, eg. C:\
$OEM$\$$ = Windows directory, eg. C:\Windows

So, (assuming C: is the drive you're installing to):
\$OEM$\$$\INF = C:\Windows\Inf
\$OEM$\$1\drivers\IntelINF = C:\drivers\IntelINF

When W2K is installed, the files in the $OEM$ directories on the installation media, (CD, etc), will be copied into the corresponding directories on the destination drive.
The Intel .inf files are written to look for the driver files, (.sys, etc), in the \drivers\IntelINF on the destination drive when they are to be installed.  After the system is completely installed, that directory could be deleted.

The UNATTEND.TXT file tells the Windows setup program to look for and install the driver files contained in IntelINF before doing anything else - this is so necessary hardware is available when it comes to installing Windows.

In this case, the Intel SATA drivers will be installed before anything else - this should make any HDD connected to the SATA interface available for installing Windows on.

To install W2K then you need to run: "WINNT.EXE /u:UNATTEND.TXT /s:<WIN2000 Setup
    Directory>" where <WIN2000 Setup Directory> is the location of the W2K setup files, (CD, etc), eg. D:\

For more on the $OEM$ folders, look here.
For more than you could ever wish for on unattended installation, MSFN forums are the place to go.
In your case: Unattended 2000/XP/2003


So, to answer the question, in steps:

1) Create an image of the W2K install CD, (using ImgBurn, etc), in ISO format.
2) Using UltraISO or similar, open the ISO and create the necessary directories: $OEM$\$$\Inf and $OEM\$1\drivers\IntelINF
3) Copy the appropriate files into each directory.
4) Create the UNATTEND.TXT file with the three lines given and then copy it into the root of the install media.
5) Save the modified ISO and then write it to a CD-RW, (saves wasting CDs if something went wrong).

I don't know how W2K is installed but you should be able to run the necessary command to start installation, (assuming D:\ is the CDROM drive):

winnt.exe /u:UNATTEND.TXT /s:D:\

On the CD, besides the normal Windows setup files, you should also have:

4128

General Software Discussion / Re: Where do i find the SATA Controller !

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2011, 07:49 AM »

You would probably be better off going into the BIOS and changing the SATA interface to IDE mode rather than trying to find SATA drivers for Windows 2000.

That will pretty much guarantee it works with Windows 2000 because it's extremely doubtful whether any of the advanced features of SATA, (NCQ, AHCI, etc), would be available in drivers that old.

Of course, that's assuming that the BIOS has that option:


EDIT: These drivers supposedly work with Windows 2000.

Intel(R) 82801GB/GR/GH (ICH7 Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C0

-hulkbuster (October 19, 2011, 07:11 AM)

It's that one.

4129

DC Gamer Club / [BARGAIN] GTA Complete Collection - US$12.49

« Last post by 4wd on October 18, 2011, 07:17 PM »

Via OzBargain:

Complete GTA Collection for US$12.49 at GamersGate.



And GTA Classics for US$7.49.

4130

General Software Discussion / Re: A salty tale: Table salt multiplies hard disk space six times

« Last post by 4wd on October 17, 2011, 06:15 PM »

I'm going to hold out for bacterial hard drive storage. That way, the hard drive capacity just keeps growing exponentially!

-daddydave (October 17, 2011, 04:36 PM)

He's not my identical twin, that's my cloned drive.

4131

General Software Discussion / Re: Local Area Network Connection

« Last post by 4wd on October 15, 2011, 07:42 PM »

There's also IP Switcher.

4132

General Software Discussion / Re: Suggestions for maximum-lockdown XP system

« Last post by 4wd on October 13, 2011, 11:09 PM »

SteadyState25.msi, 6.35MB, where do you want it?

I've stuck it here for the next week: SS25.msi NOTE: Now been removed.

Pretty sure there was a PDF associated with it but I can't see it on my drive atm.

Still on their download center here.

4133

Living Room / Re: Anyone got an iPad and like it?

« Last post by 4wd on October 13, 2011, 08:18 PM »

They are losing market shares quickly to Apple/Android tablets for very good reasons -- such neither here nor there devices are not really sought after.

-lotusrootstarch (October 13, 2011, 07:27 PM)

Except by people who want them because they offer so much more than what a tablet can provide, eg. Capture, edit and encode video, (both DVB-T and DV), geotag/organise photos, (I'm not talking a couple of hundred, ~40,000 @ 116GB).

All of which I do using my lowly netbook - sure it takes a while to encode video but since I'm not about to drag my 20kg desktop, (plus monitor), overseas and the netbook, (and all the peripherals), weighs ~2kg it's a no-brainer.

For me, a netbook or notebook, (up to around 13"), will win every time.

Sure, if all I wanted to do was stare at email, browse the web and read a book then maybe I'd buy a tablet....but since I do all that on my Android phone, (as a bonus, it makes phone calls!), there's no reason for me to waste that much money on something that's more limited and cost a lot more than a netbook.

As with almost everything, it's all subjective.

I didn't see any of that when we bought it. Other plans we saw were idiotically expensive. The device was far more, and the plan was the same as regular phone plans. I gave up there.

-Renegade (October 13, 2011, 01:51 PM)

Let's see, you only bought it a couple of months ago, IIRC, and I've been using that SIM for almost a year.........your Google-fu is weak 

Phonechoice - Selection 16/17 below sponsors section.

4134

DC Gamer Club / Re: THQ deal week at Steam

« Last post by 4wd on October 13, 2011, 07:55 PM »

Oh yeah!  Steam ripping off the little fella again!   

Because I'm obviously geographically-challenged:

Homefront - US$25
Red Faction (x) - Cheapest is US$6.66

4R53|-|0L35!!

Although I'm still not sure whether to bother with Homefront after reading the review which pointed out quite a few problems with single player.

4135

Living Room / Re: Steve Jobs is dead.

« Last post by 4wd on October 13, 2011, 06:13 AM »

Then it automatically activates the iAfterLife and you're transported to an apple wonderland paradise.

-Stoic Joker (October 12, 2011, 06:34 PM)

Shouldn't you mean the Garden of Eden where you can feast upon apples 

4136

Living Room / Re: Anyone got an iPad and like it?

« Last post by 4wd on October 13, 2011, 02:05 AM »

We only use the iPad at home, so there's no point in having 3G when the telcos have no sane plans for light usage.

-Renegade (October 12, 2011, 10:15 PM)

What do you class as 'light usage' ?

$1/month for 50MB, (150MB if you're with TPG - which you were), and 2.75cents per excess MB is hardly a deal-breaker - this is what I use in my Android phone when I want to look up something and don't have WiFi available.

TPG Budget Plan

And the phone/SMS charges are reasonable also.

It even says: Pay As You Go Plans - Recommended for your iPad 

4137

DC Gamer Club / Re: THQ deal week at Steam

« Last post by 4wd on October 12, 2011, 07:13 PM »

75% off Red Faction franchise today.

Here's hoping that if Homefront is put up, it will be cheaper than AU$15, (for physical product + AU$4.90 P&P) available at Mighty Ape until 10:00 AEST, Oct 14th.

Then again, given the review here I'm not sure I'm willing to even spring for $15....

4138

Living Room / Re: Real life version of a Half Life 2 map

« Last post by 4wd on October 11, 2011, 05:11 PM »

That'd be great if they could put a bungee jump spanning it!

4139

DC Gamer Club / Re: THQ deal week at Steam

« Last post by 4wd on October 11, 2011, 12:29 AM »

I was seriously considering the Collection, (had it in the cart), but then thought I've already got STALKER, not really into RTS and ended up just getting Metro 2033.

Hope they put up Homefront for a really good price.

4140

DC Gamer Club / THQ deal week at Steam

« Last post by 4wd on October 10, 2011, 10:20 PM »

Metro 2033 for $5.00 today or the THQ Collection for $49.99 during the week (Includes 15 items: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, Titan Quest, Titan Quest - Immortal Throne, Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, Saints Row 2, Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II, Red Faction Guerrilla, Warhammer® 40,000: Dawn of War® II Chaos Rising, Metro 2033, Darksiders™, Homefront, Red Faction®: Armageddon™, MX vs ATV Reflex, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution)

4141

Living Room / Re: win7 wifi shows as disconnected when actually connected

« Last post by 4wd on October 08, 2011, 06:16 PM »

I've had kind of this problem, the network, (LAN), icon sits there with the spinning donut saying it's still trying to get an IP from the DHCP server, (never mind that it's manually assigned   ).

It seems to revert to normal after a few system boots, (in the normal course of usage).

It's currently sitting there with an exclamation mark telling me the Unidentified Network, (VirtualBox), has no Internet access, (well duh...it's not running), yet other times it will look completely normal, (with VirtualBox not running).

I think it comes down to it just being borked....just like it's always been.

4142

Living Room / Re: win7 wifi shows as disconnected when actually connected

« Last post by 4wd on October 07, 2011, 10:24 PM »

If you've got CCleaner installed, you could try enabling Tray Notification Cache, like so:

4143

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 11:06 PM »

Their Mitcham store is better, they have shelves/tables with the equipment, (MB, case, router, etc), stacked on so you can pick and choose, (not the RAM/CPU/SSD/HDD though).

-4wd (October 06, 2011, 10:48 PM)

So you can effectively browse the store?

-Renegade (October 06, 2011, 10:52 PM)

Think Cash & Carry - almost all of the stuff is in its original box but at least you can touch the box

Still a looonnngggg way from the likes of DSE where you can fondle the naked merchandise....besides that, lotus nicked all the NASs.

4144

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 10:48 PM »

Their cafeteria-style shops seemed a tad odd the first time I went in, but I've bought a truckload of stuff there and certainly saved over the few other stores that I'm familiar with here. (I probably know Georgetown better than I know Melbourne.)

-Renegade (October 06, 2011, 10:22 PM)

Their Mitcham store is better, they have shelves/tables with the equipment, (MB, case, router, etc), stacked on so you can pick and choose, (not the RAM/CPU/SSD/HDD though).

4145

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 10:26 PM »

I updated my post with a little UMart info since just before your reply.

Re. UMart' website: yes, it does look like you did it, (   ), but I've ordered things and specified pickup, they'll confirm stock and send an email when it's ready, I replied and said I'd send somebody to pick it up, (my sister who works near them), zero problems.

-4wd (October 06, 2011, 08:07 PM)

BTW, the list of stores is nowhere near conclusive nor are many of them even the cheapest but it's handy when I'm checking out who's got what and how much.

I'll always check StaticIce first but there are stores on there I won't go near purely because their P&P is ridiculously overpriced, (UMart could fall into this category but I only ever use them for pickup).

4146

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 08:31 PM »

4. Avoid Samsung drives at all costs, buy WD or Seagate

-lotusrootstarch (October 06, 2011, 11:07 AM)

curious: why that?

-tomos (October 06, 2011, 11:16 AM)

Having just had a Samsung HD154UI 1.5TB, (that was 99% full), die due to head failure for no external mechanical reason within 3 months, (YouTube example)....I agree with him.
This seems to be a reasonably common problem among Samsung, enough to put me off them at least, AFAIAC.

I'm sticking to WD, (except their 3TB), for now....every single one of them I've ever bought is still working.

4147

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 08:07 PM »

As for stores:

MSY, CentreCom, CPL, UMart (order online for pickup), ScorpTec, Landmark Computers (for limited things if I happen to be in the area) and the stores within 100m of MSY (as lotus said).

Online (not the cheapest but I've used but have had zero problems): Stone Computers, Maco Technology (very good), PC Case Gear and Warcom.

Attached is a list of stores I keep handy.

DSE I use for nothing but the electronic components I can't get at JayCar.  JB HiFi are good for some things, (just got a WD TV Live from them but only because I had a gift card and couldn't find anything else to buy).

Re. UMart' website: yes, it does look like you did it, (   ), but I've ordered things and specified pickup, they'll confirm stock and send an email when it's ready, I replied and said I'd send somebody to pick it up, (my sister who works near them), zero problems.

As for StaticIce -- first I've heard of it. I'll have a look...

-Renegade (October 06, 2011, 08:29 AM)

Oh ye of short term memory loss.....why did I bother replying  

Samsung Tablet thread

FYI (doesn't stop me from shopping there still):

I really don't know many stores around either. Everyone I've talked to says MSY is the best by far. (Just reporting -- I really don't know.)

-Renegade (October 06, 2011, 08:29 AM)

Computer company fined $200,000

4148

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 06:39 AM »

* 4wd uses humungous trebuchet to kick butt in Toorak from Mt Dandenong. (Saves fuel.)

4149

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 06:29 AM »

Hehe, I'm not sure his current location is in .AU.

-lotusrootstarch (October 06, 2011, 06:21 AM)

You're right, I did assume he was still in Toorak....still, no excuse for not checking StaticIce 

4150

Living Room / Re: NAS Recommendations?

« Last post by 4wd on October 06, 2011, 06:17 AM »

I didn't see any Synology NAS available locally, ....

-Renegade (October 06, 2011, 05:37 AM)

Repeat after me: "I must remember to try StaticIce before I type these things."

UMart - 16kms straight down the freeway.