Pinay Mommy Online » technology & gadgets

Problem Unsolved

Pinay Mommy — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:51:32 +0000

Yesterday, I blogged about how my PC crashed and how it prevented me from accessing the internet. I also shared to you my idea of booting my PC from the USB connector.

Well, to make this long story short, the USB booting didn’t work. I think the USB connection was not powerful enough to get the job done. It was a total failure. So, I gave my 250GB hard disk drive to my husband a.k.a. BELLA last night, so that he could copy all my important files today. Unfortunately, he was not able to find any SATA cable therefore he wasn’t able to do a backup copy.

So now, I am still using my husband’s reliable HDD for his laptop. And I think I have no choice but to buy a SATA cable when payday comes!

Anyway, I wish that it’s easy to fix computer problems just like giving a tap to hand dryers at public bathrooms if they don’t work. But PCs are tough, you need to be logical and patient in solving problems.It could take days if you will try to fix it by yourself and only hours if you pay a technician. Hayz…so I say…the saga continues…

My PC Crashed!

Pinay Mommy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:01:52 +0000

First, I had viruses all over my PC. It took me months until I finally decided to reformat it. Then, just a few days ago, a brown out struck our neighborhood bring down my PC again. So, I have no choice but to reformat again so that I could supply the missing files that was stored in my hard drive and was corrupted by the power failure. After a reformat, it went well for few minutes. I shut it down so that I can attach my other (backup) hard drive back. Unfortunately, it didn’t turned on again. At first, I thought my monitor was damaged but when my husband checked, it was doing fine. Now guess how a blogger by profession felt when all memories and important files were lost! Not only that, how tiring it is to download and reinstall programs again!

So, I have no choice but to think of ways on how I can access the internet. So thanks to my husband’s idea. I am accessing the internet now using my his new laptop hard drive. He was supposed to replace his laptop’s hard drive but since I was not able to access my means of living, he lend it to me temporarily. So, I immediately partitioned and installed Windows XP and some other programs to it. I was able to finish around three in the morning! That was desperation in action.

Since I don’t have an additional SATA cable, I needed to wait for my hubby to come home tonight. I need his USB adapter from his external drive so that I can boot using his laptop hard drive through USB and attached my other back-up hard disk drive on my SATA cable. There I could transfer my files into his laptop drive and once done, I will partitioned and reformat my backup hard drive to become my PC’s master drive. Good bye 80GB! Hello 250GB!

Anyway, it seems to be that fixing a PC is complicated but when you are faced with grave threat to your money making machine. Well, you have no choice but ask for help and dig on your stored knowledge to help your PC get back into business. It was like how a body builder work his butt out on a dip station just to get those dream abs! Oh well, I just hope it will do well tonight. I hope my master plan works. Wish me luck tonight!

Broken LCD Screen *

Pinay Mommy — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:19:42 +0000

Long time ago, I was really hoping to buy an external hard drive and an additional sd card for my digital camera. I wanted to have additional space for my downloaded images, digital scraps and pictures taken.

Unfortunately, I was in for a big surprise. Just last month, I have discovered that my digital camera’s LCD screen was broken. At first, we can still take pictures even without a preview from the LCD but after a few days, we couldn’t take pictures anymore. I decided to bring it to a Kodak Service Center but they can’t cater me since I bought mine at SM Appliance last March 2008. Aside from that, SM Appliance could not attend to me since I lost my proof of purchase.

Anyway, I decided to look for an LCD replacement online but it led mo to an international seller. If I will buy from him, the cost will be enough for a new digital camera. So, I guess I should save up and buy a new one instead of an LCD replacement if that is the case. What do you think?

Personalized Holiday Gift Ideas!

Pinay Mommy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:31:00 +0000

In my previous post, I mentioned that Christmas is just around the corner and every child is looking forward to that day and even the big people in the house. No one can deny that deep inside our heart we long to receive gifts even how small it is as long as it comes from the heart.

Since people are more into the digital world, it would really be nice to give and even receive technological gadgets such as wooden USB flash drives, digital camera, Bluetooth USB dongle, business card flash drives or a personalized thumb drives. These items are just few of those that make a perfect Christmas gift in this day and age.

Anyway, I heard that Pexagon is having an awesome discount sale on their personalized gift items. They are offering a whopping 20% off on all personalized holiday gifts such as personalized pens, wooden USB flash drives, business card flash drives and personalized thumb drives.

Their wooden USB flash drives are available in 2BG and 4GB capacities. Their sides can be customized using laser engraving and are available in two color choices. Their business card flash drives can be a perfect gift for your boss. It looks like a business card but has a small USB cable with a capacity of 2GB in which the front side can be engrave with personalized notes up to three lines. So as their personalized pens and thumb drives can be laser engraved, all for FREE!

So, if you’re planning to give your boss or techy friends some cool personalized digital stuff, don’t forget to drop by at www.pexagontech.com and avail their 20% off!

Refurbished Equipments

Pinay Mommy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:46:00 +0000

My first real job was cashiering in a famous department store chain in Cagayan de Oro. I was assigned in almost all departments that sells from small ticket items such as school supplies to as big as living room sets. From this experience, I was able to gain knowledge in transacting credit cards using a POS system or manually calling the companies.

Anyway, I noticed that big companies sell their POS equipments every now and then even though they are not yet broken. They do this as a way of constantly upgrading their equipments. Some companies like www.visionpos.com buy these old ones and transform them into refurbished ones. A refurbished point of sale equipment still functions just like the brand new ones but of course cheaper and much more affordable.

While big companies may have the liberty to change and upgrade almost every year, small companies and those that are still in the start-up phase are considering refurbished POS equipment. This helps them save money and also lower the capital requirements for business assets.

Even I myself buy refurbished gadgets; I do believe that we don’t have to pay a big amount for the same functionality. Besides, refurbished equipments can last long just like new ones. It all depends on how one uses it.

Bought a Bluetooth USB Dongle

Pinay Mommy — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:52:00 +0000

My laptop is WIFI ready. Since it is utterly useless for me, I decided to buy a USB Bluetooth dongle. I bought it at Octagon and this one is probably the smallest I ever seen.

Nortek BT 650 – USB Bluetooth Dongle

Here are the specs:

Type: EDR Bluetooth Dongle Class II
Data transfer speed: Up to 3 Mbps
Wireless operating range: Up to 1 m
Compliancy certifications: Class II
Data interface USB 2.0 Full Speed
Operating frequency: 2.400 – 2.4835 GHz
Suggested applications: Personal Area Networking, Dial-Up Networking, serial port, files transfer, information synchronization, Object Push, printer, Human Interface Device, fax, basic imaging, advanced audio and headset

So far, I am enjoying it and it really serves its purpose. I can now easily transfer pictures, video and audio files from my mobile phone to my laptop and vice versa. I can also exchange files with my hubby’s laptop. Aside from that, I can also use it on my desktop when I get back home. Isn’t that cool??

My New Lappy!!

Pinay Mommy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:45:00 +0000

I go online every now and then. But unlike in Cagayan de Oro, I can’t go online as often as I want to because my access here is not unlimited. I use a prepaid wireless connection using SmartBro USB modem.

Anyway, though my access is very limited. I am happy to announce that I have my own lappy at home (boarding house I mean). It’s not that expensive but it’s enough to make blogging convenient anywhere and anytime. It only cost me Php 24,999.00 (around $525.00) including an original Windows Vista Starter Operating System. I paid it using my income online but hubby said he will give me his 13th month pay so that the lappy would be a gift from him. Sounds like a good deal right? ^_^

Below are the specs of my brand new lappy (Neo Basic B2180N):

• Processor Intel® Celeron M Processor 560 1MB L2 Cache, 2.13 Ghz, 533Mhz FSB
• Chipset SiS M672 + SiS 968
• Memory 1 GiG DDR2
• Graphics SiS Mirage 3+
• Display 14.1? WXGA LCD
• Hard Disk Drive 120 GB SATA
• Optical Disc Drive DVDRW SuperMulti
• Networking 10/100 Mbps LAN
• Wireless 802.11 b/g
• Card Reader 4 in 1 Card Reader
• Web Cam 1.3 Mega Pixels
• Battery 6-cell Lithium-ion Battery
• Weight ~2.4 Kg

Isn’t that a great specs for a lappy with an awesome affordable price? You can buy this lappy with a good one year service warranty at any Octagon Computer Center in the Philippines (nationwide).

This is a great blessing. I thank God for this!!

Gadget Advisor

Pinay Mommy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:20:00 +0000

In the field of technology, many people including me wants to find the best and latest gadget there is in the market but unfortunately we are bombarded with too many reviews of almost the same kind. But it’s a good thing that I have bumped into the Gadget Advisor! This blog reviews gadgets that are consider the best there is in the market ranging from a network media player, walkman media players, online backup services and many others. They also have a review on the best universal remote control!

So, for gadget hunters, before you find anything cool in particular, head on to Gadget Advisor first before you shell out your hard earned money!

i Heart Polk iSonic ES2

Pinay Mommy — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:17:00 +0000

After a long day of running errands from this bank to that bank, I have finally got some sleep and woke up to find myself surfing again. And guess what!! I have found a new gadget that I would really love to add on my Christmas Wish List!! I came across the new Polk iSonic ES2 from HDRadio.com.

When I was reading about its features, I almost jumped out from my chair in sheer excitement and saying “WOW” all the time. OK, I may sound so stupid but hey, I have a passion for good quality music and those that comes for a digital source is surely one of the best.
Aside from an advance acoustical system, Polk iSonic ES2 has an alarm clock, iPod port, and iTunes / iPod Tagging. It also accepts all kinds of iPod models. It can also allow users to connect it into a TV or video monitor so that users can view the videos stored on a video iPod. Cool right?

Anyway, this stand alone gadget can search for local radio stations and can deliver it also with pure digitized music. So, if you have forgotten to bring an iPod, the party doesn’t need to stop. Just search for your favorite local radio stations and bang! The party goes on.

Gesh, I am really longing to buy these music gadgets!

My Opinion on GPS Tracking

Pinay Mommy — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:56:00 +0000

Every person needs space and privacy. Well, I myself totally agree with that but in every rule there is always an exception. This is my personal take on the controversial issues surrounding GPS Tracking.

As much as possible everybody deserves some privacy, but not under all circumstances. For example, an employer is paying a field agent to do business transactions in behalf of the company. Of course the company pays the expenses the employee incurred during the fieldwork. So, I guess it’s the company’s right to implement GPS Tracking to employees to insure that they are doing their jobs at the right place and time.

And being a mother, availing a GPS Tracking device for the use of my children is somehow right for me. I think I deserve to know where my kiddos are, right? As for my hubby, well, I am willing to be tracked and so must he! I guess transparency between couples is always the best but if you are suspecting something, for me, I will still go for a GPS Tracking device.

Maybe having one depends on its use. GPS Tracking has its advantages to human kind. No need to argue with that.