Category Archives: Flash-drives

How-To: Troubleshoot Hall.dll Errors

Posted on February 22, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Troubleshooting Hal.dll error

Submitted: Feb 20 2012

A hal.dll error appears shortly after the system boots. This is usually caused by a damaged, moved or deleted Hal.dll file. However it could also be caused by deleted or damaged boot.ini file.

 

Troubleshooting the Hal.dll error

The following steps may be used to troubleshoot the Hal.dll error:

1. Restart your computer; it could just be a one-time error.

2. Check the boot order and make sure your first boot device in the BIOS setting is set to the main hard drive.

3. Use your Windows XP installation CD to run system restore.

4. Create a new boot.ini file.

To do this, enter the Windows XP Recovery Console using the Windows Installation CD and enter the command “bootcfg /rebuild”. Enter ‘Y’ on the prompt that says “Add installation to boot list?”. Enter ‘Windows XP Professional’ on the next prompt that says “Enter load identifier: ”. On the last prompt “Enter OS Load options: ”, enter /Fastdetect. Reboot your computer.

5. Create a new boot sector.

To do this, enter the Windows XP Recovery Console using the Windows Installation CD and enter the command “fixboot”. This creates a new partition boot sector for the current system partition.

6. Restore the Hal.dll file using the Windows Installation CD.

To do this, enter the Windows XP Recovery Console using the Windows Installation CD and enter the following command:

expand d:i386hal.dl_ c:windowssystem32

Here the letter ‘d’ represents the drive on which the installation CD is mounted and the letter ‘c’ represents the Windows XP installation drive.

Press ‘Y’ when prompted to overwrite.

7. Recover data from bad sectors on your hard drive.

To do this, enter the Windows XP Recovery Console using the Windows Installation CD and enter the command “chkdsk”. This scans your hard drive and recovers any readable data.

8. Repair the Windows XP Installation using your installation CD.

9. Perform a clean installation of Windows XP using your installation CD.

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Install any linux on USB flash drive

Posted on February 22, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Unetbootin – Linux on USB!

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As more and more users are migrating to Linux everyday, the availability of free and open source software is increasing at a rapid rate. Ubuntu has been ranked at #1 user-friendly Linux with its 11,000 daily downloads. Linux OSes, known as distros, are available mainly in the form of ISO files that can be burned on a CD/DVD or made into a bootable pendrive. This is where Unetbootin, a freeware application comes in handy.

Download and install Linux through Unetbootin

Unetbootin allows the user to create bootable USB drives for many Linux Distributions without the need of a CD or DVD. It is easily available for download from the internet for all the three environments, Windows, Linux and Mac. You can either provide the path of your Linux .iso file that you have downloaded or let the software download your desired distro.

1. After downloading the software, you will be greeted with something like this:

If you dont have a pre-downloaded Linux distro, then click on Distribution & select the distro of your choice and the version.

2. If you have a Linux .iso file, select the “Diskimage” radio button and provide the path where your .iso file is kept.

3. Insert your USB drive. I recommend atleast a 4GB drive if you want your distro to install & work smoothly. Perform a quick format and make sure it uses FAT32. Select your drive letter for the drive & you are good to go.

4. Press OK to begin.

After completion, reboot your system and enter BIOS and select “Boot From “. Or keep pressing F10 when the system boots, and select “Boot from USB”. This boots your PC with Linux from your USB.

Unetbootin supports all major (and minor) Linux distros such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint, Chakra and even FreeBSD. Check out their sourceforge page for the complete list of supported Linux distributions.

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Comcast Offers

Posted on February 21, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Comcast is one of the four major players in the domain of telecommunication in the United States of America. Comcast offers services related to cable TV, telephony and internet. Cable TV service being Comcast’s métier and this is evident considering the figure of 22.9 million users of its cable TV service. Comcast has merged all its services namely- telephony, internet access and cable TV, under a common brand name, known as XFINITY. Now, all its services have the brand name XFINITY attached to it, like- XFINITY TV, XFINTY Voice and XFINITY internet.

XFINITY internet brings several ranges of plans at the disposal of the customer. The plans have diversified data transfer speed which ranges from 1.5 Mbps to a blinding speed of 105 Mbps at a price tag which varies drastically on the basis of bandwidth value that you are using. The price ranges from $ 39.95 per month to an amount of $199.95 per month.

Now, the forte of Comcast is its cable TV service which provides high quality service which is low priced. The XFINITY TV consists of three plans from which the customer can choose. The initial or basic plan comes with the price tag of $29.99 per month where the customer can watch 80 plus channels. The second plan is the Digital Preferred plan where you will get to watch 160 channels by making a payment of $39.99 per month. Last but not the least, the Digital Premier subscription plan consist of 200 channels plus some good entertainment and sports channel at a price of $84 per month.

Telephony happens to be the next service of the Comcast which is also called as XFINITY Voice. In XFINITY voice, the customer can choose several plans and can avail free long distance and local calls by sticking to a specific plan. By signing up for a particular plan customers will be getting unlimited calling credit for Puerto Rico, US and Canada. You will also be utilizing several other services like- call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way call waiting, Universal Caller ID which can be connected to your computer system or television set. Bringing such services at the disposal of customer, Comcast will surely magnetize high volume of customers.

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RITEK intros flash drive with additional USB ports

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

RITEK has introduced trendy looking USB flash drives dubbed Ritek EXdrive-Yego series that come in a unique Y-shape. The trendy looking shape has added benefits. The devices feature additional USB ports which can be used to connect other USB devices. These flash drives function as a USB hub making it easier to access various devices without changing the devices again and again. To ensure privacy and protection, these drives come with advanced partition and security functions that make it possible for users to create password-protected sectors for storing confidential data. These drives also boast of a tie shaped LED indicator that shows the usage status. The series is available in 128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, 2GB and 4GB variants, measures 69mm x 28.8mm x 13.5mm and weighs just 17 grams. Via: fareastgizmos

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Cyberpower 420 MP hub USB device is a smart accessory for your PC

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Now keeping this USB with you, you will never face the problem regarding your system not recognizing your USB device. This device will surely prove to be beneficial for you folks. It incorporates four AAA size batteries, the Cyberpower 420 MP hub lets you handle all your gizmos at the same time and that too concurrently, wow, it also tries to lengthen your laptop’s operating time by incorporating high speed functionality. This innovative and yet cool device was on display by the manufacturers at the CeBIT, and is made public for the US citizens. Via: Dvorak

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A radio USB device for your PC

Posted on February 8, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Innovation, innovation, innovation! This is what technology nowadays has to offer. This is a great device to boast of – a portable radio device as an add-on to your computer accessory list. Now you will never get bored of listening to the same old, monotonous stuff that is fed time and again in your pc. This one helps you to listen to the radio programs while sitting in front of your system, wow. It consists of a 3.5mm jack as a port for your headphones, a miniature antenna and a LED display for making you aware of the on or off status. This radio goes off for a mere for €10. Via: 2dayblog

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Buffalo intros USB key with AES encryption

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Buffalo has put an end to the need to install software on your computer if you want to keep the data in your USB drive secure. The new series named RUF2-HSC automatically encrypts the data with AES encryption directly on the key itself. You only have to enter a password every time you use the drive. Users will be able to choose between three variants of the drive that includes; 256MB, 512MB and 1GB. Via: akihabaranews

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Refurbish your desktop with Wireless USB Car Optical Mouse

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Have you ever noticed the similarity in the shape of a car and a computer mouse…? If yes then this device would make one of your weird dreams come true. The Wireless USB Optical Mouse brings a refreshing look to any desktop. The device is powered with an AAA battery, and has a symmetrical design allowing both left and right handed users to use it easily. Instead of headlights, these devices have LEDs that light up whenever the mouse is powered. The 800 dpi mouse comes with scroll wheel button to help you easily shift through pages of a long webpage or a document. The mouse measures just 116 x 62 x 34mm and retails for $22. Via: ubergizmo

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USB keys that come with built-in flash light

Posted on February 7, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

We have heard a lot about gadgets and gizmos that are a bit handy inspite of their other usual benefits. So, here is a USB which displays a different trait, that too a handy one. This one adorns a flashlight which comes to use when one may be searching for the USB port, situated at the back of the CPU. It is christened the Handy Drive, pricing starts from mere $21.99. Now what would we say on this, the USBs are surely making a lot of waves with their new or rather ‘Flashy’ makeovers. Via: Chipchick

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Emergency USB siren for your desktop

Posted on February 6, 2012 by admin| Leave a comment

Although this seems to be of no sense to me, but it might help you in case you want to send warning signals from your desk or putting it at the top of your car…sort of. Well, you just need to plug in the USB and the siren will start screaming. We even don’t know if it makes any sound to tell others when you are caught in trouble. Still, the device sounds cool. Via: Gizmodo

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