Laptop Showroom

How to play HD 1080p H.264 mkv on low end laptops

2010-07-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

After following a few steps, I can now play 1080p movies PERFECTLY @ 60fps on my laptop.

Here are the steps:

1) go on google and search for k-lite codec. get the latest version. When it asks you to config k-lite codec, do not tell it to install MPC. For the lazy ones, here is a link: http://www.free-codecs.com/K_lite_co...k_download.htm

2) download MPC-HC (medial player classic - homecinema) here:
http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/downlo...lassic-hc.html

3) get on MPC-HC and press o for the options menu.

4) go to playback-output and make sure that EVR custom is selected (the last option in the list). Also make sure the EVR buffer level is as low as possible.

5) go to the external filter tab and click on add filter. Click on fddshow video decoder and click ok.

6) After adding fddshow video decoder onto the filter list, click on block.

7) now you can enjoy 1080p high def content @ 60fps.

8 easy steps to keep your Dell Studio XPS cool ?

2010-07-15T23:00:00.000-07:00

Complaining about hot temperatures and stuff? Well the laptop is relatively small (thin) for its power, since it can go up to an i7-840QM and an ATI 5730 with a single fan. Here's how to keep it from being a stove on your desk.

Is it really that hot? Download HWMonitor (pro or free) and check the temperatures. Normal for the SXPS 1640 is 40 C for CPU/GPU and lower for the other parts. Normal for the SXPS 1645 is 50 C for CPU/GPU and lower for the other parts. I've never owned a 1647 so I cannot say.

Make sure nothing is blocking the vents on the bottom (there are more than 1) and the vent on the back (blowing at the screen). This means stop using it on the bed without a book underneath, or on your leg so that your leg covers the fan vent.

Make sure there are no dust in the vents. Take off the backplate and wipe it down. You can remove the heatsink/fan easily (noobs don't be scared). Just remove the screws on the GPU/CPU (at the ends of the copper bars) and northbridge if you have a 1640. The screws won't come completely off. Take the entire thing out, and then fan comes out too. Wipe the fan, and wipe any dust on the heatsink in front of the fan (it looks like metal sheets).

Apply thermal paste. See above to remove the heatsink, then before putting it on, get some Arctic Silver 5 or similar and put a bit on the CPU, GPU, northbridge (1640) and southbridge (1645/1647). A pea-sized amount, then use a card (credit card, etc.) to spread it. Make sure the paste touches only the silvery parts, don't let it touch anything else. Replace the heatsink and backplate.

Prop the laptop up. Use a book or a 9-cell battery. This dramatically increases airflow.

Get a cooler. They range from a few bucks to $70 for my NC2000. They make a world of difference. Try to get 1 whose vents line up with the vents on your laptop so you're not just cooling the backplate. The Zalman NC2000 is a very good cooler in my opinion, albeit a bit pricey.

Get some AC for your room.

If you're really rich and have a 1640, then get a P-series processor instead of a T-series processor. You may lose out on some performance, but you lose out on some heat also.

Benefits of doing the above steps include longer laptop life (battery and hardware-wise) and less throttling. Also it won't burn you.

How to remove Bloatware from new laptops

2010-07-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

This post describes how to remove Bloatware from newly purchased laptops. Bloatware are softwares which are over packed with features and therefore slow or unwieldy.

Generally they occupy excessive amount of memory or have very large file size.

Removal of Bloatware gives a performance boost to your computer and makes it more responsive.

You have 2 options:

1. Reinstall Windows - see Clean Vista install WITH NO ACTIVATION by orev
Also see How to Perform a Clean Installation of Windows 7

2. Remove the bloatware manually
- Remove programs using the Control Panel Uninstaller (ie any trial software such as Norton, etc.)

- Download and run CCleaner

- Go into Computer and go to C:\Program Files and clean up any folders that were left behind after the Uninstall. There are some other directories that you might want to look around for old files such as \Program Data, etc but be careful not to delete anything you're not sure about.

- You can also try PC Decrapifier

First Things First-things to check when you buy a new laptop computer

2010-07-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

This post tells you the things you should be check once you buy a new laptop just to be sure you haven't chosen a faulty piece .

Make sure you have all the parts and read through the manuals

Yes.I agree it's boring thing to do.who would spend time reading manuals when one is eager to check out their latest brand new laptop.It's always better to have a quick glance at the manual and make sure that you know what you are doing.

Check for dead pixels on your screen

Its considered normal to have 2-3 dead pixels but if you feel you have many then you should be calling customer care rightaway.

Go through the User setup and other first-time settings.

go thorough the user setup and other initial settings before you start working on your laptop.

Create your recovery discs.

Create recovery discs to ensure that you can restore to factory settings if any thing goes wrong later.It usually takes 30-45 minutes and 2 DVD's

Ensure you have set to receive all latest updates.

Register your laptop with the vendor to receive latest software updates and turn on the settings in your computer to update them.Run Microsoft Update to install all Windows updates as well as new drivers.