Priceless Selling Fake 4GB USB Memory Sticks

You would think buying from a reputable shop, that you would end up with something it says on the tin. But not....


USB Flash Disk, SV-U88 quoted as having 4GB storage capacity is actually a 2GB stick with a piece of software that fouls it in thinking it is 4GB.

So great ... more space - whats the worry?

Well the problem may only come apparent when you use your memory stick fails after saving your only copy of family photos, or even your last four months of programming work. Or maybe, the essay you need to get to the univerity, as you left it to the last second (or minute).

Anyway, the problem is identifing these so called fakes....

How?

Well one of the telltail signs is the apparent use of 'lower' characters when your system detects the stick when you stick it in.

Another most convincing method is when you use linux (an alternative to the Microsoft Windows Operating System) and use the command:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/t

*replace the letter t with the sda drive the USB stick is detected as.

After doing this, use fdisk to replace the missing drive initials.

When you format the USB stick you notice that it was less than advertised to be...

Conclusion:.... a fake.


Don't be caught out with these fakes as they only cause grieve when you loss your precious and unreplacable data.

BEWARE OF SECONDHAND MOBILE PHONES

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY SO YOU DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AS I DID. I BOUGHT A SAMSUNG SGH 600, IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH EVERYTHING IN THE BOX, I WAS VERY HAPPY WITH IT, UNTIL I WENT TO PUT IN A NEW T-MOBILE SIM CARD. ON THE SCREEN APPEARED " LIMITED SERVICE ", SO I TOOK IT TO THE T-MOBILE SHOP , EVEN THEY COULD OT HELP.... THE BOTTOM LINE IS I HAVE BEING LEFT WITH A WORTHLESS PHONE .....BEWARE...

Parcel Posting

INTERPARCEL.COM

Superb prices for posting parcels. 25KG trolley jack in a box that is 80cm x 30cm x 20cm is just 10.99 with collection from home address and next day delivery.

If, like me, you are sick of paying the Royal Mail prices, use Interparcel.com....Excellent ! You can even pay by PayPal.

Mac or PC........

Having just made my fist Mac purchase after using Windows since 1992 I was a little nervous, I just sold my old Sony VAIO on eBay and and was in the market for a new laptop.With work we were getting special offers from Apple, Dell and HP and spent hours of time considering the options. I then looked at all of the sites and ventured into the Special Offers on the Apple site and found a MacBook Pro for 1100 (Jan 2007). With an Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, and 1GB of RAM and style in a different class I took the plunge. There was one key factor in this decision - Bootcamp. This allows anyone to install a copy of windows onto their Mac, as it turns out very easily.I was disappointed to start with as the delivery from Apple was well over 2 weeks and for this time was without a laptop. I phoned and chased them up and basically was told that the delivery time was 2 weeks or 14 days! I found a site www.apecode.com that was able to provide tracking based on the apple PO number and is well worth using should you take the plunge. Then I received it, packaged beautifully and with elegant simplicity I opened the box and turned it on.The wait was worth it. I was up and running in only a couple of minutes. There is one thing I did consider, the guys at apple must have allot of time on there hands to thing of all the design features on their products. The magnetic power adapter and the back lit keyboard just to start with! I was astounded by the build quality - no other manufacturer is on a par with the apple - this is absolutely the ace up their sleeve!I then went to the Apple website, clicked on support and downloaded bootcamp. I was prepared I had purchased an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro and was raring to go. Except their is one little problem, I seem to forget to boot into Windows and have easily settled into Mac! I do like having Windows there as a backup but have little need for it.

I then went a step too far. The thing is I am a bit of Geek. My Girlfriend is not (Yes I have one). She uses a PC to work with and thought that I should convince her to try Apple, so I went out and bought a shiny new 20" IMac thinking that she would like the simplicity and speed of the Mac OS. Oops! Change is not good as far as most people are concerned. This was a bridge too far, but I had my backup - Bootcamp. Problem solved a Pretty PC and it runs Windows - Fast!

Here are my top tips.

Don't try to force Mac on Devout PC users.same Vica-versa (Mac people are fiercely protective of the Mac in general, who can blame them)You can get some good deals from apple or ebay on Mac's so shop aroundOnly once you own a Mac should you venture to a Mac Store - You could end up spending a fortune at top price!If you want more memory buy it with your iMac and buy it else where for your MacBook Prothe iMac fills all of the Memory slots with the minimum memory size (e.g. 2 x 512 for 1GB)the MacBook Pro uses the minimum memory modules possable thus leaving you able to go elsewhere to get a memory upgrade more cheaply and when you feel you need it! (e.g. 1 x 1GB memory)If you intend to run Visita make sure as to not go for the iBook or the lowest spec. iMac as these do not a good enough graphics cards to get all the fancy stuff that vista offers, and you have less actual memory available as the Graphics Card needs to use the system memory itself - e.g. 1GB system memory - 128MB for grapics leaves you 898MB for the system - not so good under Windows XP, let alone VistaInstalling Windows Vista WILL try your patience. Be warned!go for Mac if your budget is not an issue, if not the PC is the far better optionGood luck, and Enjoy

Creative Construction Toys For Younger Children

Creative Construction ToysEveryone knows about Lego, K'Nex and the like, but what of other creative construction toys? Although not as famous as the market leaders, there are several high-quality construction toys available that can provide hours of fascination and fun for children of all ages.Apart from the obvious entertainment aspect, construction toys play a very important role in the development of a child's motor skills, mental agility and ingenuity. Whereas Lego and K'Nex can be very fiddly and frustrating for small hands, other creative construction toys such asWebbys andClics can be more easily used, and so provide a much more satisfying play experience for the child.In this guide, we are going to describe these two toys in more detail, and show how they can provide a powerful, yet entertaining development toy for your child.ClicsDeveloped by a Belgian company, Clics have taken the USA and Europe by storm. They are not well known in the UK at present, but that is set to change now that they are more easily available here.Designed specifically for younger children, Clics are suitable for both boys and girls from age 3, but will continue to provide immense play value for many years after that. We have known many adults spend hours playing with Clics when the kids have gone to bed!The main Clics pieces are square, with clips on all four sides, enabling them to be clicked onto other Clics pieces at any angle. This allows for the construction of amazing models, from the very simple to the impressively complicated.

DVD Recorders - Buying Guide and FAQS

If I buy a DVD Recorder, can I make copies of DVD films?

No. It's illegal to make copies of films, and most pre-recorded DVDs that you rent or buy have an electronic copy-protection system that prevents copying.

How much can I fit on a DVD disc?

DVD recorders let you trade picture quality for recording time: the better the picture quality, the more space it takes up on the disc. Typically, you'll get about an hour's worth of best-quality recording on one disc. Doubling this to two hours still gives excellent picture quality, and even squeezing three hours on to one disc gives you better quality than a VCR.

Should I buy a personal video recorder (PVR) instead?

A PVR records to a hard disk, like the one in a computer. It has a much larger capacity than a recordable DVD, but the disk isn't removable.Some DVD recorders incorporate a hard disk, so you can record programmes on to the hard disk, and then copy those you want to keep (or share) to a DVD. However, they're not as easy to use as a PVR as they don't have an on-screen electronic programme guide.

What are the differences between DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-Ram discs?

There are currently five different DVD-recording formats used by different manufacturers, and discs recorded in one format can't always be played in another machine. DVD recorders can generally record in at least two formats, and usually let you play discs in some other formats, too. Dvd players can usually play discs recorded in three or four different formats.

DVD R and DVD-R

Both these formats let you record to discs only once. The other three formats let you re-record many times on one disc, just as you would with a video tape. If you want to archive your recordings, rather than record over them, it makes sense to opt for the cheaper, DVD-R or DVD R discs. DVD-R and DVD R let you record to disc just once. The other formats let you record over and over again on the same disc

DVD RW and DVD-RW

These formats are compatible with many players. With DVD-RW, recordings can be made in one of two modes video or VR depending on the machine. Video mode is compatible with most DVD players, but you can't edit discs or insert new recordings.

By contrast, VR-mode discs can be edited (a bit like DVD-Ram, below) but they won't play back on many machines.

DVD-Ram

Few DVD players play back DVD-Ram recordings, but this format does offer many handy features. For example, it's the only format that lets you start watching the beginning of a programme while the machine is still recording the end of it. Another unique advantage of DVD-Ram is that, when you delete one recording from a disc, the machine reorders the remaining recordings so there are no gaps when you play the disc.

Are there any useful DVD recorder tips you could give me?

DVD recorders are harder to use than VCRs. There are several different recording formats DVD-Ram is one of the most versatile.Prices are still falling, and the best discounts are usually found online.

If I have a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) can I transfer the information onto my DVD?

You can hook up most PVRs to a VCR or DVD recorder to archive your recordings to disc. Developments such as PVRs with twin digital tuners and built-in DVD recorders are just around the corner.

What is a combination DVD/hard-disk recorder?

Some DVD recorders give you more flexibility with a built-in hard drive. A built-in hard drive offers much greater recording capacity than you get with a single DVD disc (at least eight-and-a-half hours, depending on the model). The space will eventually run out, though, so they're better for recording shows to watch later rather than anything you want to keep permanently. You can then copy any favourite shows to DVD or VCR for permanent storage. The combination DVD/hard-disk recorders we've tested so far are fairly expensive, and can be complicated to use. None is as sophisticated as a personal video recorder (PVR). PVRs also record to a hard drive but recording is much easier thanks to an on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG) ,which gives details and times of forthcoming programmes.

How much can I store on a disk?

DVD recorders let you trade picture quality for recording time the better the picture quality you opt for, the more space it will take up on the disc. Blank discs can store two hours of recordings in standard-play (SP) mode, providing images as good as live TV. Most recorders let you fit up to eight hours on a disc, but picture quality deteriorates the more you cram in.

A Guide To Industrial Shrink Wrapping Heat Guns

Industrial Shrink Wrap Heat Guns