Atheros Wireless LAN

I am bring up this post again because I found another Atheros WiFi Driver that has functions not found in other Atheros Driver.
This driver is from HP.
http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp52001-52500/sp52131.exe

Why this driver you might ask? The screenshots below should answer your queries.

Access Additional Function not found in other Atheros Release

Useful Autoroaming Function if you need to move around multiple APs with your Atheros Equipped Laptop

Additional Encryption Schemes Not Found in other Atheros Driver

So you can choose which driver fits your needs.

After installation of Atheros Driver 8.X a utility should appear in the Control Panel.

Here are some screenshots:

Choice of 2 types of Atheros Wireless LAN Drivers:

1. Modded Atheros Driver (Non-WHQL)(Vista & Xp)

Obtained from LaptopVideo2go

1. Atheros Driver Version 8.X (WHQL)

If your Microsoft Virtual WiFi Device Driver disappears try running the following Commands in Command Prompt Administrator Mode.

C:\Windows\System32> netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NameOfNetwork key=StrongPassword

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Acer Aspire 4740G Optimal Drivers

If your EFI/BIOS version < 1.05 please update the firmware to enable DEP.
Because I am using AS4740G therefore I will be sharing my Driver Findings here.

1. Intel Chipset Driver (Acer)
2. Intel Rapid Storage Driver http://www.station-drivers.com/page/intel%20raid.htm
3. Intel Management Engine http://www.station-drivers.com/page/intel%20chipset.htm
4. Nvidia Graphics Driver http://www.nvidia.com/page/drivers.html
5. Nvidia High Definition Audio Driver (Included in the Display Driver)
6. Realtek High Definition Audio Driver http://aspiregemstone.blogspot.com/2010/08/audio-driver-matching.html (Why this driver is the best? The MSI Gaming Notebook using this driver uses the same AL888 Realtek High Def chip, it has excellent driver customisation better than Acer Drivers)
7. Acer Launch Manager (Get it from Acer Site Don't use the 4740G Launch Manager use the 4540G if you want to customise the Backup Manager Shortcut Key)
8. BroadCom Bluetooth Driver (Get it from Acer Site driver updatedness doesn't matter too much)
9. Finger Print Driver (Available from Windows Updates Optional Driver updates)
10. SuYin/Chicony WebCam Software
11. Conexant Modem Driver (Get it from Acer Site driver updatedness doesn't matter too much who the h*ll uses Modem nowadays anyway??)
12. Synaptics/ALP Touchpad Driver http://aspiregemstone.blogspot.com/2010/03/must-see.html
13. Intel Management Engine Controller (Acer)
14. BroadCom NetLink LAN Driver (Get it from Acer Site driver updatedness doesn't matter too much)
15. Atheros/Intel Wireless Driver http://www.station-drivers.com/page/atheros.htm http://www.station-drivers.com/page/intel%20lan-wan.htm
16. Realtek Card Reader Driver (Get it from Acer Site driver updatedness doesn't matter too much)
17. Acer Smart Power Manager & Optical Driver Power Manager (Get it from Acer Site)
18. Turbo Boost (Only for Core i5/7) (Acer)

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Acer Smart Power Manager

Finally some useful software from Acer
Please note: Different Power Smart Manager is meant for different configuration.
Some Power Smart Manager supports Radeon Switchable meant for laptops with ATi Radeon Specification.
So to get the best fit, look for the latest Acer Laptop with specification as close to yours as possible.

Acer Smart PowerManager

Download here
Conserve Power On the Go.
Installable on most Acer/Packard Bell/Gateway/Emachine Laptops (Even on Laptops that doesn't came with this originally).
When you install it on a (eg. Packard Bell) Computer the software calls itself Packard Bell Power Save!

Optical Drive PowerManager

Download here
Conserve Power On the Go.
Installable on most Acer Laptops (Even on Laptops that doesn't came with this originally).
Software originally meant for Acer Aspire Timelines but work on Non Timelines as well.

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Nvidia Driver Release

3D Mode

2D Mode

Windows Desktop Default Mode

Nvidia WHQL Notebook Driver version 195.62 is released.

Download them from Nvidia Website here

Please note that the new Nvidia Driver fixes the issue of not being able to throttle to default clock in Windows Desktop so please use this driver instead of the Acer Download (187.XX) which has the problem.
This driver is recommended.

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Windows 7 ISO CD Creator

Windows 7 ISO CD Creator
Using this utility you can create Windows 7 ISO CDs and Bootable Thumbdrive.
Download it here.

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RAM SPD Burner

I wish to share with you guys this tool ThaiPhoon Burner, I was introduced to recently by der_mali of Notebookreview.
Quite a guy as he had quite a few tip and tricks up his sleeve.
I will not reinvent the wheel instruction of how to use here.

BEFORE I FORGOT, YOU NEED A SUPPORTED CHIPSET TO READ THE RAM CORRECTLY!
THE SOFTWARE WILL NOT RUN CORRECTLY ON CERTAIN CHIPSET.

I did as instructed and flashed both my RAM to PC2-6400 from PC2-5300 but Aspire 4530 only reads 667MHZ as shown in CPU-Z.
But the RAM timings improved and performance improvement for free is considered great.
Only thing I have to warn you is like flashing BIOS it can kill your RAM, so try to flash settings as close to your original RAMs as possible.
Take a look at my upgraded RAM originally it was PC2-5300 at 333MHZ
I even got in an EPP Profile!
In other words this Tool is a must have!

Simple Step by Step Guide:

1)You must run this software on a Compatible Chipset.

Certain NForce Chipset like the one on the Aspire 4530 WILL NOT work.

2)First extract this program to a location you find comfortable to run it in.

Right Click and Run as Administrator.

Agree to the EULA.

3)Click on EPROM, Read SPD at 50H or 52H if you have 2 RAM SLOTS occupied.

If you have 1 RAM SLOTS only either 50H or 52H will be available.
If it is read correctly you should see the Module Specification read correctly as shown above.

An example of incompatible Chipset is shown below.


First notice the numerous SPD displayed.

Next the Module Specification is incorrectly displayed.

Do not proceed if you encountered the above.

4)Next Click on Browser button.

Then Click on Download button.

It will proceed to download all the RAM dumps from the server as shown above.

5)Using the search parameter find the next closest update in RAM Specification

For Example you have a Kingston DDR2-667MHZ find the next closest DDR2-800 based on the

Module Code Number and Parameters.


Click Save Dump and save it to a location on your Harddisk

7)Next Exit the Browser Back to the Main Menu.

Select Open and Choose the Dump File you saved previously.

8)It should open up the Dump File details.


Choose EEPROM Select Full Rewrite.

9)You should see the Full SPD Rewrite Windows as shown below.


Select the correct SPD Device Address and click on write.

Wait for the process to complete and you are done!

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Issue For Aspire 4530 Owners on Windows 7

Please take note when installing NForce Drivers
Make sure your Add/Remove Nvidia Driver has the entries below:

Use the 15.45 NForce Drivers I advised (Can be downloaded on Guru3d.com) DO NOT USE 15.37 NForce Drivers from Nvidia except for the AHCI Storage Driver from 15.37.
Note you get SMU Driver and PCI System Management Drivers, otherwise you get a Fatal Machine Check error occasionally in Windows 7 Event Log, you won't see any BSOD but the error log will be there .
In conclusion use the Storage Drivers from 15.37 and SMU and PCI System drivers from 15.45.

Update:
Please update the Storage Driver from 15.51 (from Guru3D) the driver from 15.37 causes occasional freezing issue.

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Microsoft Security Essentials

Microsoft is finally taking responsibility of its OS security.
Microsoft Security Essentials is now Officially Released.
Users have to pass Windows Genuine Authentication before installing.
Download MSE here.
If you have already installed the Beta, the Update to official release should be pushed down via Windows Updates.
The Microsoft Security Essential Scanning Engine is based off its Corporate Counterpart Microsoft ForeFront Security.

Personally I recommend this product as

• It is FREE.
• It is a Microsoft Product hence should integrate well with the Operating System (Other Anti-Virus are known to have false positives and has a history of identifying Windows System Files as Virus killing Windows).
• It is light weight and consumes little System Resources.

Cons

• Have to pass WGA (This shouldn't really be an issue)
• May collect System Information from Systems which MAY BE personally identifiable
  

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Disk Cleaning Scheduler

Hi, today I will be sharing a Disk Cleaner Scheduling Script I created.

I took parts of the Temp File Remover Script and combine it with Windows Disk Clean Up.

I also scheduled them to run once a week minimized.

Download it here for Vista
Download it here for Windows 7 (I decided to leave the Prefetch folder alone in Windows 7 since it handles itself well enough.
To install simply Download, Extract and Right Click, run Install.bat with Administrator Permission.

It will create a new Folder called "Clean Disk" in C:\windows (Due to the stupid spacing parsing problem with Program Files) then schedule the tasks.

You can delete the downloaded folders and zip files after that.

To uninstall, Download,Extract and simply Right Click run the Uninstall.bat with Administrator Permission.

I think this will be my final version.

Give your comments.

Thank You.

Edit:
I have updated the script to run as a System Task so the annoying popup that tell you it is cleaning up tempfiles no longer appears.

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Optimize Windows Vista Boot

What you should do to conserve and optimize disk space and boot time.

1) After download software like Firefox, after installation please delete the installer.

eg. Setup.exe

New Versions will come out and internet download speeds are so fast, so there is no point keeping it.

2) Do this weekly:
Start>> All Programs>> Accesories>> System Tools>> Disk Clean Up

Check Everything Except for Hibernation File.

Or download and install a autodiskcleanup script I created

CCleaner is a extra ware that does the same thing it uses System Resource hence I don't use this.

3) Open Control Panel >> Administrative Tools >> Services

Disable "SuperFetch"

Stop "Superfetch"

Reason being Superfetch isn't very efficient, very often it overfetches Programs you rarely use, increasing boot time as a result.

4) Clean temporary Directories.
They are:

C:\Users\{Your User Name}\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Windows\Temp
C:\Windows\Prefetch (Delete the ReadyBoot Contents before ReadyBoot folder)
I have created a batch file to kill superfetch.
Download and run with Administrator permission here (Superfetch Killer)

5) Here is a Windows Batch File that clears useless file recursively in all directories.

Batch file is provided by mydigitallife

Open in Notepad to see the script content.
To Run, Right Click "Run as Admin"

Next run sdelete to zero the harddisk space and return all unused space

Use the command:

sdelete -c

After that do a Disk Defragmentation and Reboot

Using this method my Acer Aspire 4530 now boots in 5 Rolling Bars instead of the previous 18 &

My 5 year old Desktop has the following specification:

Intel Pentium 4 HT 2.8GHZ 512KB L2 Cache (NorthWood)

4GB DDR RAM 400MHZ

250GB WD 16MB Buffer Cache

875P Motherboard

Currently the dinosaur is running Windows Vista rather speedily so try it!

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UnderVolting AMD Griffin Processor

Edit:

You can read continue to read this as a guide but this is a better tool IMHO.

I chanced upon this site : http://amd.goexchange.de/

This is a new Tool designed to undervolt AMD Griffin ZM/RM/QL/SI Processors.

The program is free for home users (However you are encouraged to donate as it is a lot of work) and it is not free for business users

1)Why Undervolt?

In short conserve power (Battery Life) and reduce thermal emission (Overheating) with no effect on Computing Performance for more info check on the previous link.

2)For Intel Processors and AMD TL and older Series Mobile Processors RMClock is able to overclock them.

However no tool was available to underclock CPU until this tool was release.

How to use?

The documentation on the site is very lengthy and rather confusing.

I was confused first time I read it.

A very simplified guide as follows:

1) Create a folder in Program Files.

eg. Create C:\Program Files\GriffinControl

2) Download the files required (scroll down a bit you should see 2 files each for 32bit and the other 2 files for 64bit) and extract them to the folder you created in 1).

3) Open the GriffinControl_config.xml with notepad (the author provided a skeleton configuration file) .

You will only be looking at the following column and the values in bold

Note QL/SI Processor only should have 2 pstate number (I think it is 0 and 1 , no 2 not sure about this).

How do you go about setting voltage?

Basically AMD ZM/RM Series Processors has 3 Power State.

A full state runs at max frequency when you need the processing power it throttles up to maximium frequency giving you the computation power you need.

This is pstate number 0 which is 100% of the total CPU Power.

pstate number 1 is 50% of the total CPU Power.

pstate number 2 is 25% of the total CPU Power.

If you set too low a voltage the CPU will not run stably due to unsufficient voltage and cause BSOD.

For QL/SI Processor you only have 2 pstate, 0 & 1.

pstate number 0 which is 100% of the total CPU Power.

pstate number 1 is 50% of the total CPU Power.

How do you know the default voltages for the CPU?

Either you run CPUZ as shown by the picture at the end of this entry.

Then use Vista Processor Power Management to throttle at different percentages to find the 3 or 2 voltage level depending on what processor you have.

If you are not sure you can leave a comment at the end of this entry I will recommend values for you to try.

Another way is to refer to the config file provided with the downloads.

4)Reference this table for the list of Voltage ID.

eg. The value 42 as shown above translate to 1.025V and so on.

(Note the lowest VID is 64 no lower values will work and value above 36 can fry your processor )

Edit the values to the voltage you want.

For my RM-72 Processor, I tested 64,52 and 42 is the most extreme stable values.

Which translate to: 0.750V, 0.900V and 1.025V respectively.

Original Voltage: 0.800, 0.950V and 1.075V respectively.

A difference of 0.05V, 0.05V,0.05V , any higher it BSODS

Change the values accordingly and save.

6)Run GriffinControlService_32bit.exe for 32bit Windows and GriffinControlService_64bit for 64bit Windows.

Follow instruction and create the Windows Service if you encounter an error message you did something wrong.

Go to Services Menu and Start the Service if you ever want to delete the service you must stop it first (using the same manner, stopping it instead of starting it)

If you are doing testing make sure the service is set to manual start instead of Automatic so after BSOD it will default to original value and not BSOD repeatedly I learned this the hard way.

If you did not listen to me and it BSOD repeatedly, when it is possible to get to Windows Either start with last saved configuration or try to switch to Power Saver Mode in Vista Power Plan so it will not cause BSOD again.Don't worry no physical damage is done to the processor.

7) Run a CPU stressing Tool like Intel Burn In make sure no BSOD happens when running the tool so the voltage is stable. Use the Vista Processor Power Management to test the different Power States.

Set to auto start service if you are happy with the final setting.

This program is very well created especially when the author implemented it as a windows service, so donate to the author if you are able to.

Special Thanks to the author, now my CPU Voltage Temperature Dropped by a lot at max frequency.

Proof that it works!

Edit: The Service hung on Vista and created a Windows Event Log (no error message) so I set it to Delay Start and the problem went away.

At the end of the process the result of undervolting implies AMD chips are indeed overworked in order to catch up to Intel Processor Performance, the undervolted amount of 0.05 at max frequency implies this.

Any further undervolting results in BSOD.

Just encountered another BSOD raise voltages by 0.025

Finally whenever you encounter a hardware BSOD (read the message on the BSOD) just raise the voltage by 0.025.

Eg. when you BSOD on youtube you probably need to raise p-state 1 and p-state 2 by 0.025

My guess is when the CPU changes state from 2 to 1 it switches too quickly therefore insufficient voltage to support the boost hence it BSOD.

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Nvidia PhysX Update

NVIDIA PhysX System Software WHQL

Version:	9.09.0428
Release Date:	June 03, 2009
Operating System:	Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
Language:	U.S. English
File Size:	39.2 MB

Download here

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A Good Place To Get Acer Drivers

Here is a link to Acer Drivers.
It is far better than the previous ftp links.
Both 32bit and 64bit are available.

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Another Acer Fan Control Program

Here is another Acer Fan Control Program called A1CTL by Noda

Works for Acer Aspire Laptops as well.

I prefer this one as no installation is required just need to run with Admin permission.

Another Acer Fan Control Program called 1810tray by Intek.
Originally meant for Acer Timeline 1810 but works well on other Acer Laptops as well.

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Windows 7 Wallpapers (Include Latest RC)

Here is the Updated Windows 7 wallpaper Collection

The latest release it up to RC (Release Candidate)

I have place the Original Windows 7 Wallpapers + RC Wallpapers + Windows 7 Beta Wallpapers into one zip file.

I have also rename & tag some of them to avoid file clashing with the original Vista Wallpaper.

After you download you can safely extract them to
C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper
They will not overwrite your original Vista Wallpapers.

Download them here

If you are using Windows Xp and would like to download Vista Wallpapers,click here

You can simply extract them to your Wallpaper Folder they will not overwrite your original Wallpapers or the Windows Vista Wallpapers as well.
Enjoy

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Windows Vista Wallpapers

For Windows Xp/Windows 7 users who wish to have the Vista Wallpapers Collection, I have uploaded them here 

If you are interested in Windows 7 Wallpaper, click here

If you are using Windows 7 please rename the files before extracting to your Windows 7 Wallpaper Collections.

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Acer Aspire Fan Control

I found this nifty utility.
It is supposedly for Acer Aspire One to control the fan unit.
So I downloaded and installed it thinking it would fail but it actually works for Acer Aspire Laptops too!
Here is the website

How to use:
When you complete the download, extract it.
You will find an Executable and an installer.
You need to run the Installer,Reboot then run the Executable.

Note:
The Fan Setting Stays even after you uninstall the program
You should notice the temperature of your laptop should fall even more and the fan spins more frequently if you lower it.

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Vista Cursor For Windows Xp

I am sure Xp users are bored of seeing Hour Glass after a while
I have Linked 2 Sets of Vista Cursor
( I didn't make any of them and I have forgotten where I got this from)

Vista Cursor Black
Vista Cursor Blue

• Extract the file to a folder

• Right Click the Install.inf and Select Install

• Go to Mouse Property in Control Panel
• Select the newly installed Mouse Cursor Set
  
• Apply then Save the Cursor Set

And you are done !

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How to Use Modded Drivers for Atheros Wireless

OK I guess everyone must be thinking isn't the Microsoft Drivers for Atheros Good Enough
I guess posting a screenshot will change your minds

Take a look at the modded driver options below

To install this driver
Go to this website
Find the corresponding driver for your operating system
Download and extract to your folder

Next Go to the familar>> Control Panel>> System>> HardWare>> Device Manager

Method 1 (Not Recommended as it is difficult to do driver rollback take a look at Method 2 below instead)


Right click & uninstall the device driver repeatedly for the atheros network adapter until it no longer auto install the Microsoft Driver as shown below

For Windows Vista/7 remember to check delete the driver software for the device

Then right click on the unidentified Network Adapter and browse to the folder you extracted the modded driver to install it.

Method 2 (Recommended as it is easy to do rollback)

A more convenient way to "force" the installation is to

1. Right Click the adapter
2. Choose "Update driver"
3. Choose "Browse my Computer for driver software"
4. Choose "Let me pick from a list of device driver on my computer"
5. Choose "Have Disk"
6. Browse to the extracted folder containing the driver and choose the "netathrx.inf" for 64bit Windows or "netathr.inf" for 32bit Windows.
7. Select OK and you are done

Finally you will be able to enjoy the new driver options !!
If you are a wireless expert you will certainly like the new additional settings.
Also LaptopVideo2go claim there will be a performance boost with this driver.

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Ultimate Windows Tweaker Update

Edit:
There is an update to Ultimate Vista Tweaker, however the updates do not introduce new significant tweaks

Tweak Vista to remove as many unwanted functions as possible to make it faster and more responsive
Ultimate Windows Tweaker is actually a front-end for Windows Registry no additional Services or Programs is installed into your system
Get it here
You can alternatively find the registry entries manually and tweak it however it is not worth the time when someone already made a user friendly front end

Tweaks I used
____________________________________________________________________


I disabled the annoying pop up balloon tips because pop ups really irritates me
____________________________________________________________________


I set the Shutdown time to a lower setting
It is not good to set it to the lowest because Vista has lots of services, setting it too low can cause Service Abortion pop ups which is not a good thing and the default shutdown time is too long

I set Menu Speed to fastest because Vista animation is rather slow hence it irritates a user who wants to do real work This tweak will make Vista more responsive

Disable Vista built in Zip if you use third party compression tools no use having 2 identical tools on the machine (Most of the time 3rd party compression tools are better

Disable ReadyBoost because it is really useless
You are better off buying RAM upgrades

Disable Tablet Input if you are NOT using a Tablet
____________________________________________________________________

Disable Autoplay
Autoplay can sometime cause Virus Programs on Thumbdrive to be executed you will not want to test Vista security or your Anti Virus's abilities by enabling this

Disable Windows Mail if you are using Outlook or Thunderbird or anyother Email Client

Disable Windows Media Center if you are not using your PC as a entertainment Centre for TV Programmes
____________________________________________________________________



Hide your server from browsing list so when you connect to a network other PC will not know you are connected to the network

If you don't use Remote Desktop into this machine disable it

Disable File Access to this machine from other PCs in the network for better security

Disable IPC for other users again a security setting

Disable Recent share so your network access history to other Computers will be safe from prying eyes (this is not Internet History but LAN History)

Auto Discovery of Media is redundant (If you want the media files just copy it to your PC :P)

Set the bandwidth setting according to your network performance (Mine is high)
____________________________________________________________________

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