WRT54G2 – a cheap Wireless Adapter for the XBox 360

Success! After Drew in our office pointed me to a Gizmodo article mentioning how to create a cheap Wireless Device for the XBox 360 using custom firmware, I was all raring to give it a go. As one might know, an XBox Wireless Adapter retails for around a hundred dollars, and even with smart bargain hunting, one is not likely to find it cheaper than around eighty. Not willing to shell out that much for a Wireless adapter (I’d rather spend it on games), I decided to go for a refurb WRT54G2 device I found through a bargain website, on Newegg, for a princely sum of twenty-one dollars. All signs on the DD-WRT website pointed to compatibility with the micro firmware version.
The directions to upgrade the existent firmware on the device were clear. What was lacking in clarity though, was the process to convert it into a wireless bridge. A wireless bridge connects two different LAN segments via a Wireless link – useful to increase the reach of the Wireless Network, amongst other uses. For a fuller description – clicky.
The process can be a little convoluted to say the least. I started by connecting the router to a Windows PC (yuck) via one of the router’s LAN ports. The firmware upgrade process was the same as described on the website. However, directions to set it into the wireless bridge mode were murky – what was missing was that before one starts the configuration, one needs to connect it to the existing Wireless Router.

Click the Status Tab -> Wireless -> Site Survey (at the bottom), which will bring up a window with a list of Wireless Routers in the proximity. Choose yours, and click JOIN on the side. This will connect the two Routers, but here’s the tricky part – if you have security on, the directions on the DD-WRT manual don’t specify where one can enter the same.

Enter the Wireless key for the master router in Wireless (Tab) -> Wireless Security, and continue as described on the DD-WRT site. Perfect!
I have it connected to my XBox 360 and indeed, no drops and no connection issues whatsoever. I couldn’t be more happy at having saved some sixty dollars (which I will spend on a new HDD).

Windows 7: First impressions – Vista, done right

Joining the millions who brought down Microsoft servers when Windows 7 Beta went live, I booked my place in the starting lineup to get the latest and best OS to come out of Redmond thus far. Yes, there I said it, Windows 7 is the hands down, complete winner, and it has not even reached GM status. I am simply impressed by the ease, speed and the intuitive nature of the OS, after having castigated Vista for the lack of the same. Microsoft has clearly gotten its act together on this one.

The speedy setup led me to the Win7 desktop before I could scarcely even register the installation time. All my hardware was recognized immediately and the driver support seems to be top-notch! Installation of third party drivers went flawless, although I am unable to install Alcohol 120%. I ran the install through a series of stress tests including Benchmarks and file transfers, and a number of graphics intensive games. In all tests, it just seems to beat the pants off my previous install of Vista. Things, just work!

My test platform is a modest machine by all means and not a benchmarker’s dream by any stretch of the imagination. The same machine I outlined a few blog posts back. That I believe is a true test of an OS. Anyone can run Vista like a dream on C2Ds and Quad core systems with 4-8 Gigs of RAM. I am yet to find a objective review of W7 on regular Joe Six-Pack hardware specs. My search continues.

It truly seems that Microsoft has gotten it’s act back together – Windows 7 is truly what Vista should’ve been. It does seem that Microsoft needs a swift application of an appendage to the posterior to get its act together and I cite you historical facts for the same. Windows ME after Windows 98, led to the most successful consumer oriented OS release – XP. Vista after XP, will lead to Windows 7 – whether or not it will be successful, time alone shall judge, but if the beta is so good, stay tuned for the GM!

I will try and outline a few features that appealed to me during my test drive. Customary screenshots follow.

AeroPeek – on moving the mouse cursor to the bottom right, the Windows stacked on the desktop become transparent. Visual eye candy, this can be useful when trying to get to the files on the desktop. This feature seems to replace the ubiquitous "Show Desktop" on previous versions of Windows.

Taskbar – Much has been written about the new taskbar and I can corroborate, it is pretty good. It acts much like the Dock on OSX, with items that can be made "Sticky" or applications that are present while running. It automatically collates the running apps into a single icon which when hovered upon will give a live preview of the Window contents. Time saver indeed, and one step beyond OSX (in terms of preview).

Copy Progress – right on the taskbar. Not really documented on other sites, this seems to have snuck past other reviewers (or so I’d like to believe).

Recents – Right on the start menu, instead of having to scour through the Recents link on the start menu, which list all the recent application documents opened, this is a definite time saver.

I am indeed quite impressed.

Testdrive Windows 7 Beta 1

Usually the prerogative of MSDN Technet Subscribers and *Arr Matey’s* – starting this afternoon, the average Joe Six-pack will be able to download the latest beta version of Microsoft’s next gen OS – Windows 7, for free!  Starting from 12:00PM PST (or 3:00PM EST), interested users can download the limited time beta directly from Microsoft.

Though many have been scarred by what has been described as the greatest Microsoft debacle since Windows ME, Windows 7 seems to offer what Vista should have from day one – Speed, Compatibility, UI enhancements, streamlined OS, etc. A number of reviews of the same can be found here, here & here.

A caveat though – I did notice that all the people beta-testing and posting their reviews of Windows 7 were testing on an ueber-pumped up system (usually Core-i7 processors and 8 Gigs of RAM at times), rendering the result of such a test run, more or less meaningless for normal users with more "dated" hardware, which is the true test of an OS. Anyways, I can’t wait to be one of the waiting masses as the ISO becomes available. One thing is certain, the servers will be clogged, and the download speeds won’t amount to much at all.

Still in Indiana, Merry Christmas!

Or rather, Boxing day! The morning of the boxing day finds us still in Indiana, after a very successful Christmas bash at Jen’s. Ate till I could eat no more, and then stuffed myself some more. Quite remarkable the propensity of a person to stuff oneself disregarding conventional wisdom. No wonder then I am turning into an elephant.

The festivities over, I am quite excited at the prospect of returning back home and to work, to take up the usual routine, which stressful though it might be at times, is home. I am quite excited as well, to get back home and assemble my new rig. Yes I bought components for a new computer which I will make exclusively a Windows Vista Ultimate machine. The specs are nowhere near ultimate, but it should do the jobs I throw at it, with consummate ease. The specs I chose for this machine were designed with an eye on keeping the price low.

AMD Athlon X2 5000+ (2.6GHz)
ECS G8200A (v.1) with HDMI output motherboard
OCZ 2x1GB PC6400
Samsung 500 GB HDD (7200RPM, 32MB Cache)
ASUS 19″ Widescreen TFT
Raidmax Case + 530W Antec PSU

All from Newegg for a princely sum of 299, after rebate! That is including the TFT screen. Make me a better system for that price, I challenge y’all. What can I say – just at the right place at the right time.

Back to Christmas – I got a chockfull of Chocolates from one and all, Pound cake from Rissa, and hold your breath - Pete Sampras’ Autobiography – A Champion’s Mind. I literally squealed with delight at the sight! That along with the Black and Decker corded power drill and accessory bits made this Christmas complete. Thank you my beloved!

Apologies for the discombobulated entry, Sam has the Wii on, and the TV to a volume the neighbors can relate to. Ah temporary respite – switched on my iPod.