Laptop Reviews
ASUS U Series Netbooks Have Arrived
I Want Ice Water
Where’s James Bond When We Need Him?
I Love Free Software
Google Books Downloader: Get Your Own Free Book Collection
Geek Toy of the Day @ Amazon
Linksys E2500 Advanced Simultaneous Dual-Band Wireless-N Router
Over 500 Bookmarked Tech Sites
2 Comments | 
Geek Squeaks | Tagged: Blogroll, computers, google books, james bond, mobile tv, Netbook, online tv, Rick Robinette, router, Technology, Whats On My PC, wireless router | 
Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
Computer Too Slow
Optimizing Windows Startup Programs
Computer Tips
The Toshiba Mini NB305-N410BL
Big Geek Daddy
Identity Theft Advice
2 Comments | Geek Squeaks | Tagged: computers, Identity Theft, Netbook, Rick Robinette, Startup, Technology, toshiba, Whats On My PC | Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
I Love Free Software
Volumouse: Free Software to Control Sound Volume
Gadgetsholic
Cloud Netbook (Chromebook) Will Release On June 15
Faster PC! Clean! Clean!
How to Remove Security Shield Pro 2011
2 Comments | Geek Squeaks | Tagged: chomebook, computers, control sound volume, Netbook, Rick Robinette, sound, sound volume, spyware removal, Technology, Whats On My PC | Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
When I get a thought in my head to do something, I usually follow through; no matter how crazy or indifferent it is.
In this case I was looking to complete a mini media center (HTPC) setup in my living room that would provide full computer access with wireless connectivity to the internet, my main PC and my netbook. In essence my goal was to lay back in the recliner and be able to browse the internet, stream media (and movies) from the internet, play my music and movie collection, play a game or two, check my email, check the blog, etc… You get the idea.
You are probably wondering why I would want a “mini” media setup instead of a full blown super large screen media setup? Well, here is the problem and the word spelled out is “w-i-f-e”. See, we have an oak TV cabinet (that is like the foundation of our relationship) that will only accomodate a TV the size of approximately 26” to 30” and no way was anything going to replace the cabinet. Also, I wanted to keep cost to a minimum.
So here is what I did (step-by-step) to create my “lay back in the recliner media center” using the confines of the oak TV cabinet.
The current TV had to go. I replaced it with a LG M2762D-PM Glossy Black 27″ 5ms 1080p HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor with TV Tuner 300 cd/m2 DC 50000:1 [ SEE HERE ] . In short this Monitor/TV has hi-def capability, very good ratings, numerous connections and a nice remote to toggle between TV and computer. This monitor/tv fit nicely into the oak cabinet and connected to an existing DVD/VHS player, that was already in the cabinet.
I then purchased the Lenovo Ideacentre Q150 Series Nettop [ SEE HERE ] . If you are not familiar with nettops; they are mini computers that are on the same line as a netbook, but smaller.
A nettop is a very small form factor, inexpensive, low-wattage desktop computer designed for basic tasks such as surfing the Internet, accessing web-based applications, document processing, and audio/video playback. – Wikipedia
The Lenovo Ideacentre Q150 sports an Intel ® Atom Dual Core processor D510 (1.66GHz, 1MB L2 Cache), 2 GB DDR2 667 (2GB max), 250 GB, 5400 RPM, HDMI NVIDIA ION Graphics Processor with 512MB graphics, Full HD (1080p) support, Wireless network ready, Handheld wireless multimedia remote with trackball mouse and keyboard Windows 7 Home Premium 32 Bit.
Now comes cool part #1. The Lenovo Ideacentre Q150 shown above can be removed from its’ stand and mounted directly to the rear of the monitor using a bracket included in the package. That is exactly what I did. In essence, I now have an “all-in-one” PC. I then connected the Lenovo Nettop to the HDMI port on the TV for hi-def. Again, everything still fitting nicely in the oak TV cabinet.
Now comes cool part #2. The multimedia remote that you see above is slightly larger than the palm of my hand; yet it is a keyboard and trackball mouse all wrapped up in one. Took some getting used to, but I love this little bugger. What a great idea from Lenovo.
Now comes cool part #3. The only thing I did not like about the monitor was the built in speakers. I would rate them as average, but I needed better. No way could I ask “w-i-f-e” for any more money. Then it hit me. We have a Bose Wave Music System that we purchased years ago and the sound from this thing is absolutely awesome (for such a small package). I started exploring this option and found that I could patch the sound from the TV and the Nettop into the Bose. To make it work in the oak TV cabinet, the LG monitor/tv with the attached Lenovo Nettop sat perfectly on top of the Bose; and the black color scheme of the monitor and Bose matched nicely to make it appear as an “all-in-one” system.
Now comes cool part #4. I attached an external Western Digital My Passport 250 GB drive to the Lenovo nettop (that I already had) for more storage capacity and setup the nettop to be remotely (and wirelessly) managed from my main desktop computer (using UltraVNC). If you have a network in your home, wireless or hardwired, I highly recommend setting up remote access from a main PC. You can then easily manage your networked PC’s from one location.
Now comes cool part #5. When using a setup such as this from a distance across the room, seeing the text on the screen when browsing the internet or performing other Windows functions can be a chore; especially when your eyes are going south like mine. The solution here was the Windows 7 maginifier tool that can be found under “Ease of Access” on the Windows 7 menu. The magnifier tool provides the option to magnify the entire screen or just portions of it.
In the end, I am very satisfied with this setup and that it met the specifications, as set forth by “w-i-f-e”. The “w-i-f-e” is quite happy and I think impressed (even though she will not break down and tell me that).
20 Comments | Computer - Hardware, Computer - Instruction | Tagged: bose radio, computers, Hardware, How To, htpc, Instruction, media center, Monitor, Netbook, nettop, Rick Robinette, speakers, Technology, TV, Whats On My PC | Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
Spend some of your hot summer day, in the cool, reading Geek Squeaks’. If you have an interest in computers and information technology or you just want to learn something NEW, then these sites is where it is at.
Tech-for Everyone
Software Giveaway Drawing(s) – Oops!Backup
TuneUp Blog about Windows
Improve Your PC’s Performance with ReadyBoost
Lifehacker
Use GOOG-411 and Skype to Call Any U.S.
or Canadian Business for Free
Rarst.net
FeedDemon and Google Reader – best feed reading ever?
AskBillFirst
Windows XP zero-day under attack;
Use Microsofts “fix-it” workaround
Free PC Security
Wondershare Time Freeze – FREE Virtualization
Mister Reiner
When it comes to computer security, people are being brainwashed
Gadgetsholic
Apple iPhone 4 Start to Preorder
Canadian Tech Blogger
200,000,000 Posts… and Counting (via WordPress.com News)
thePC Security
Internet Traffic Monitoring Freeware Tool – iTraffic Monitor
Right On Technology
New Mac Mini Includes Do It Yourself Memory Upgrades
Confessions of a Freeware Junkie
Sorry about all the layout changes
Plato On-Line
Is There an Internet Conspirancy Scam?
411-Spyware.com
How to Remove Windows Registration Checker
Carol’s Vault
Microsoft unveils its new Xbox and Kinect cam
AKS-Feel The Change
Win A Free Copy of WinX Product Every Week
RGdot
ClipboardFusion: Free Alternative Clipboard Manager
Laptop Reviews Central
Ben Heckendorn introduces blue PS3 Slim laptop
Paul’s Home Computing Blog
In The News – Report: US lacks staff, power to protect networks
Netbook Freeware
Soluto: Make Your Windows Netbook Boot Faster
I Love Free Software
4 Free Alternatives to Dropbox
Worthy Tips
Get Article Ideas using Google
404 Tech Support
Google’s Terms of Service = Not Safe For Work?
TTC Shelbyville
Publish Your Blog as an ePub
My Technology Guide
Windows 2000, Windows XP SP2 Support Ends July 2010
Awesome Wallpapers
VladStudio Wallpaper Set 7
What’s On My PC
Send Text Message from your Email to a Mobile Phone for FREE
10 Comments | Geek Squeaks | Tagged: blog, Blogroll, computers, file sharing, Freeware, giveaway, Google, Internet, iPhone, kinect, Netbook, performance, Rick Robinette, security wordpress, Software, Technology, virtualization rss, Whats On My PC, Windows, Windows 7, xbox | Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
If you are a member of the What’s On My PC blogroll and you posted an article within the past 7 days, expect to see a link to your blog on Geek Squeaks’. It is my way of saying “Thank You” to my fellow bloggers; AND, my way of visiting each and every blog to read the “best of the best”!
Paul’s Home Computing Blog
Cool Stuff On The Net
TTC Shelbyville
Google Voice for Students
404 Tech Support
Product Review: HP MultiSeat
Netbook Freeware
Advanced Uninstaller – Best Free Uninstaller for Netbook
Worthy Tips
SuperbarMonitor: A portable CPU, Battery,
Disk, Memory monitoring system
I Love Free Software
Folder Marker – Freeware to Change Folder Icon and Color
Canadian Tech Blogger
OpenDNS Suffers DDoS Attack
Internet Security Review
Komodo Dragon Browser Review
Technogran’s Tittle Tattle
Has Facebook become too big for it’s boots?
Tech-for Everyone
5 Tips For Internet Safety
Rarst.net
PSU calculator – online app to compute PC’s wattage
Lifehacker
Turn a Suction Cup into a Phone Stand
Crazy World of G
Crow Saves An Eagle
thePC Security
How to View HTML Code of a Web Page Without Opening it
411-Spyware.com
How to Remove System Armor
Plato Press
Facebook ‘Friend’ Murders Teener
What’s On My PC
Free Layer’s of Protection
[ CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT ]
6 Comments | Geek Squeaks | Tagged: Blogroll, Calculator, computers, DNS, Facebook, folder, Google, HTML, Lifehacker, Netbook, Networking, Rick Robinette, security, Technology, Uninstaller, Whats On My PC, Windows Vista | Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
How do they do it? Each week I select links to articles from the sites (blogs) that are composed by the authors who are associated with the What’s On My PC blogroll. The quality and content is amazing and serves as an excellent learning source for those who have the computer and information technology bug. Please, I encourage you to visit these sites.
TTC Shelbyville
So You Thought You Knew the Internet and Networking
Plato Press
Facebook Photos: the New Porn
404 Tech Support
Making a High Quality Slideshow with Animoto
Netbook Freeware
Two Best Free Antivirus Programs for your Windows Netbook
Worthy Tips
Sync files between two computers or laptop securely with Fast
I Love Free Software
Windows SteadyState – Manage Your Shared Computers Easily
Canadian Tech Blogger
Battle Of The Search Engines
WP Xpert
How To Report a Spam related Blog On WordPress.com
Mrintech
Access upto 5 Email Accounts with a Single Click!
Technogran’s Tittle Tattle
Using the LifeCam Cinema with Windows Live
TuneUp Blog about Windows
Performance Check:
How 200 New Programs Slow Down Your PC (Part 3)
Free PC Security
Malicious Sites April 13
AskBillFirst
Adobe Issues Workaround for Security Issue
Tech-for Everyone
“Free”, “Cash Back”, “Rebate”, and Alarm Bells
Rarst.net
Kaspersky GetSystemInfo utility and site
Lifehacker
Google Docs Updates with a Drawing Editor, Real-Time Collaboration, and Speed
411-Spyware.com
How to Remove Digital Protection
Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts
Download Digital Defender – Pound Malware Before it Pounds You!
Right On Technology
Twitter acquires Tweetie, now official Twitter app
What’s On My PC
Trusting the IT Guy…
1 Comment | Geek Squeaks | Tagged: Adobe, computers, Email, google docs, Malware Protection, Malware Removal, Netbook, performance, Rick Robinette, scams, search engines, Spam, Synchronization, Technology, twitter, virtualization, webcam, Whats On My PC | Permalink
Posted by Ramblinrick
post to jaanix
