Just a quick post to expand on my comment in a previous post on switching to AHCI mode (to enable full SATA functionality) after installation (in IDE emulation mode) of the operating system. See this for further information. This is particularly useful if, for whatever reason, an F6 floppy install of the SATA drivers proves futile.
Here is the thread I found. I basically followed those instructions, except it's an MSI-specific forum, so I believe the IATA621_CD.EXE file specified may be such. I also believe the IATA88CD.exe file I found on my driver disk from Gigabyte is the corresponding file. Nevertheless, to be safe, I downloaded the Intel Matrix Storage Manager executable directly from Intel, to be sure I had the real goods.
I then followed the instructions, but I used the text found here. It was a bit of a long shot, perhaps, but mine is a ICH10R-based board, and that was supposed to work... and it did! I did have a couple devices (IDE primary and secondary controllers, to be precise) show the infamous yellow question marks by them for a few reboots while I installed other drivers, and then they resolved themselves.
So, there you have it: an ex post facto method to enable SATA mode.
NB: Only tested with 32-bit Windows XP Professional and the specified Intel chipset.
Last Friday, Hugh Donovan and I put together the computer parts that he had researched and ordered. Below is a rough reproduction of the email he sent out about it. We took plenty of pictures, and kept a log as we worked. From the time I got there to the time I left, it was about eleven hours!
Computer build number two, again educational, and entertaining.
Specs:
Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz Kiensfield
Gigabyte EP45-UD3R Motherboard w/ onboard sound
4 GB Crucial Memory
640 GB Western Digital SATA HDD
Sapphire ATI 4850 Graphics
LG 19" Flatron Monitor
The log of events:
4:58:18pm Figured out we were trying to mount PSU upside-down. Thinking of case modifications. LOL!!!
4:59:50pm Mounted PSU.
5:05:53pm Busted out rear I/O panel.
5:10:00pm Synchronized watches.
5:20:36pm Pictures of GPU.
5:22:56pm Removed motherboard from antistatic bag.
5:31:55pm Cut out ethernet port from Gigabyte I/O panel.
5:34:30pm Installed Gigabyte I/O panel.
5:37:30pm Marked paper with motherboard ground holes.
5:58:50pm Decided the discrepancies in standoff type didn't matter.
6:07:09pm Installed motherboard.
6:16:55pm Mounted motherboard screws.
6:21:53pm Figured out how to remove front plate.
6:25:10pm Removed drive bay cover.
6:28:25pm Mounted optical bay and went to eat biscuits.
6:48:23pm Hard drive mounted.
6:49:25pm CPU removed from box.
7:00:00pm CPU clamped into place, despite useless Intel manual.
7:00:15pm Heat sink removed from case; Hugh went to get a plastic bag.
7:07:00pm Applied Arctic Silver thermal compound to heat sink.
7:09:08pm Applied Arctic Silver thermal compound to CPU.
7:18:06pm CPU fan connector installed.
7:19:21pm CPU heat sink mounted.
7:24:09pm First memory module installed.
7:24:29pm Second memory module installed.
7:25:55pm Discovered CPU and heat sink mounting instructions in motherboard manual. (Nice going, Intel.)
7:28:59pm 24-pin motherboard power connector installed.
7:41:14pm Front panel indicators completed.
7:45:20pm Front panel communications completed.
7:57:18pm Video card installed and connected to power supply unit.
8:11:02pm Serial ATA cables installed.
8:14:38pm The zip-tie attack begins.
8:38:00pm Called Gavrik for final check.
8:43:29pm CPU power connector installed... (might be a good idea)
9:02:53pm POST!!!!!!
9:14:27pm Booted Ubuntu, discussed hard drive status.
9:18:03pm Terminated call with Gavrik.
9:34:54pm Hugh attempts to boot hard drive diagnostics.
9:46:55pm Left to get fresh air after starting extended hard drive test.
11:04:09pm Transferring drivers to USB disks for installation.
[Played Wolfenstein for one hour.]
12:05:58am Drivers installed.
12:53:06am Basic applications installed.
12:55:54am Rearranged component wires.
1:30:34am Desk setup initiated.
1:49:43am Desk setup completed.
1:56:24am Network connection established.
1:59:46am Test page printed.
2:03:27am Sound successfully tested.
2:04:35am Computer clock set.
2:16:52am The Witcher installed!!!
I'll start this post with a brief overview of some work I did on my computer, mainly over Christmas break. Vista was beginning to feel a bit sluggish, and since I had some time to mess with it, I decided to plunge into the adventure of tinkering with partitions, boot flags, installations, and so forth. I was also planning to try, once again, to get my Dell Media Direct button to boot Ubuntu. I removed Media Direct a long time ago (it's not all that useful, and takes up more space than a Linux distro), so the button didn't do anything, except maybe bring up the MD flash screen. I had tried this process before, following this guide, and failed then. It didn't work this time either, but don't stop reading; this could still be informative. Here is a thread on the Notebookreview.com forums that details my progress, since I don't feel like recounting it all here.
I now have a running computer, resplendent with the most recent version of Ubuntu, and a fairly customized version of Vista, even if I didn't get it vLited like I wanted too. Maybe next time... I'd need a DVD, a DVD burner, a lot of time and patience, etc. And I've set my MD button to turn off my screen in Windows! See this thread (I use Monitoroff.exe instead of the provided utility). Pretty smooth, and I think it's actually more useful than having it boot Ubuntu. GRUB does a good job.
Our local Radio Shack is been going out of business, so they recently had a liquidation sale, with prices half off. At the sale, I got a Sandisk Sansa 2GB Clip, a Vanguard MP-4 Monopod, a CB radio, and some electrical components that were purported to, if assembled correctly, act as a wireless FM microphone that transmits at (legal) low power with a 45ft range, to frequencies between 91 and 97 MHz, depending on the tuning of the coil and the frequency picked up by the microphone. Wicked awesome, I thought! However, the assembly was another matter. That PCP chip was smaller than I thought, my soldering skills are less than satisfactory, and I think I need a new tip for my soldering gun. However, somehow, when I finally got things put together late at night, it worked. I had to add a SPST toggle switch and 'N' battery and holder to the kit. Pictures below.
Oh yes, and I've also uploaded my first Youtube video. I was trying to get Youtube to automatically include a High-Res option, but it's not really worth it anyways, since the video isn't high-res to begin with, and the Youtube version isn't too bad. Just don't watch it in fullscreen.
A couple more things... more along the politics and art veins. This may make an interesting read, if for no other reason than to expand and circulate thoughts on economy and the principles that apply. It should be noted that the creator of this program is a successful entrepreneur. The other thing is about the band mewithoutYou. I could talk for quite some time on the subject, but the telos of what I have to say is really that their aesthetic is much more subtle, poetical, and powerful than a lot of what passes as art or music. Their lyrics and instrumental style portray a much broader, deeper, more sober and yet more beautiful picture of life than just about any current buzz songs that come to mind. Here are the lyrics to a song by mewithoutYou called "Silencer".
Don't waste your lips on words I've heard before
Kiss my tired head.
And each letter written wastes your hand, young man
Come and lead me to your bed
You gave me hope that I'd not lost her
And then thought it rather strange to see me smile-
as I don't do too much smiling these days.
She put on happiness like a loose dress
Over pain I'll never know
"So the peace you had, " she says,
"I must confess, I'm glad to see it go."
We're two white roses lying frozen just outside his door
I've made you so happy and so sad,
But which should I be more sorry for?
Come kiss my face goodbye,
that space below my eye and above my cheek
Cause I'm faint and fading fast, I see a darkness
And I shall be released.
I'll pass like a fever from this body,
And softly slip into his hands
I tried to love you and I failed,
But I have another plan.
My Lord, how long to sing this song?
And my Lord, how much more of this pretending to be strong?
When she stands before your throne
Dressed in beauty not her own
All soft and small, you'll hear her call
"you brought me here, now take me home."
I think they evidence a profound grasp of theological principles, the struggle of life, pain, beauty, and the true source of strength. At any rate, listening to a song like this gives me a whole lot more contemplate than many songs I could think of.
And finally, for what it's worth, here is a list of what I've read, am reading, and will be reading for a while.
Phantastes: A Faerie Romance
Call it Courage
A River Runs Through It
All the Pretty Horses
Camp 4
Royal Robbins: Spirit of the Age
The Great Gatsby
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Man Who Knew Too Much
My Name is Asher Lev
The Ball and The Cross
The Red Badge of Courage
The Princess and The Goblin
The Princess and Curdie
The Liberated Imagination
A Tale of Two Cities
Hans Brinker/The Silver Skates
The Silmarillion
Les Miserables
I was checking out this blog. It belongs to StormEffect, one of the users on NBR (Notebookreview.com forums). On it I found a couple things that looked really interesting, so I thought I'd link them here. As far as the oil-filled computer goes, you can see for yourself that there is a measure of doubt about it from the comments below the article. However, if you go to the actual website, you can find hard facts--bench marks and the like. Anyways, looks interesting. And the possibilities...aquarium computers? =]
Oh, and the Cooliris. I only just got it installed, so I can't comment too extensively on it's stability and productivity, but it sure seems fast and pretty slick. One thing I like about it, if I'm getting this right, is that it allows you to view the full image when you click on one from the wall, without actually following the link as in Google search. Anyways, it seems like it could be useful.
So, that's it for now. Merry Christmas!