Cisco WAP4410N Wireless-N Access Point

Cisco Small Business Model WAP4410N Wireless-N Access Point allows you to add Wireless-N (802.11n) to your network with greater range and mobility. The WAP4410N supports 802.11n, and also backward supports 802.11g and 802.11b, allowing you to use your existing wireless devices.

The WAP4410N Access Point has three detachable 2dBi omni-directional antennas.  You can connect the WAP4410N Access Point to your network by using either a PoE switch or a standard switch.  The WAP4410N supports multiple Virtual LANs.

The WAP4410N works right out of the box with the default settings. You can however change the settings so that they work on your existing network by using the a web-based configuration utility.  It’s easy to configure the WAP4410N Access Point.

To configure the WAP4410N:

1. Connect the WAP4410N to your network or switch.
2. Connect your computer to your same network as the WAP4410N.
3. Configure your computer to be on the same subnet as the access point. The default IP for the WAP4410N is 192.168.1.245 and a default mask is 255.255.255.0.
4. Open a web browser, either Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.
5. In the address bar, enter 192.168.1.245 and press Enter key.
6. In the User Name and Password fields, enter admin. The default user name and password is admin.
7. Click Log in.

After you login to the WAP4410N, you should change the default password.  You may change the default settings, such as IP address or subnet mask, and you may configure the access point to support multiple virtual LANs or subnets.

Where to get the WAP4410N? Follow the link below:

 

Cisco WAP4410N Wireless-N Access Point – PoE/Advanced Security

How much memory can you install in Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop?

You can install up to 2 Gigabyte (GB) of DDR2 memory in a Dell Inspiron 6000 notebook.  The Inspiron 6000 laptop uses a Mobile Intel 915GM Express Chipset.  It has 2 memory slots with maximum support of 2 GB of memory.  It comes pre-installed with 512 Megabytes (MB) of memory — 256 MB is installed in each slot.  These pre-installed memory modules are removable to allow upgrade.

The Inspiron 6000 uses DDR2 memory technology which supports DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-4200 and DDR2 PC2-3200 speeds.  Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-4200 and DDR2 PC2-3200 with a maximum of 1 GB per slot.  So, to upgrade the Inspiron 6000 memory up to 2 GB, you need to buy 2 non-ECC modules of 1 GB or 2 non-ECC modules of 2 GB.  You don’t have to install the memory in pairs.

Here is how to install the memory in each slot:

Slot 1	Slot 2	Total
1 GB	1 GB	2 GB
2 GB	2 GB	2 GB
1 GB	2 GB	2 GB
2 GB	1 GB	2 GB

Note:  During boot up, the system warns about a new amount of the total system memory.  Press F1 to continue or F2 to go into the setup.  So, press F2 to go into the setup.

What if you try to install 2 GB in each slot or 2 GB in one slot and 1 GB in another slot?  The system only recognizes a maximum of 2 GB, so whatever over the limit is ignored.  This is the limitation of the chipset in the computer.  You can not change this limitation unless you replace the chipset.  Does it sound like changing a motherboard?

In conclusion, Dell Inspiron 6000 only supports a total of 2 GB memory, using DDR2 memory technology with DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-4200 and DDR2 PC2-3200 speeds.  It does not matter how much you try to exceed the limit, the chipset only reads 2 GB of memory present.

References

1. Dell Inspiron 6000 Documentation on Dell’s Support Site
2. Dell Inspiron 6000 specs and Laptop specifications – CNET Reviews
3. Computer memory upgrades for Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com
4. The overview of the Mobile Intel® 915GMS Express chipset

Memory for Dell Inspiron 6000

1. Crucial Technology 512MB 200-Pin PC2-4200 533MHZ SODIMM DDR2 RAM
2. Crucial 1 GB DDR2-667 Sodimm
3. Crucial 2GB Set (2x1GB) 200-Pin PC2 5300 667Mhz SODIMM DDR2 RAM

Memory Specification for MSI K8N NEO4 Motherboard

 

An MSI K8N NEO4 motherboard has 4 184-pin DIMM slots using Double Data Rate (DDR) memory technology.  It supports both single channel and dual channel DDR-266 (PC-2100), DDR-333 (PC-2700), DDR-400 (PC-3200) standards and supports 2.5 volt DDR SDRAM DIMM.

The four DIMM slots are color coded — DIMM1 (Channel A): Green, DIMM2 (Channel B): Purple, DIMM3 (Channel A): Green, and DIMM4 (Channel B): Purple.

The color code determines whether a single-channel or dual-channel operation is used when a combination of DIMM module is installed in the slots.  It also determines the maximum speed of the combined memory installed in the slots.

This motherboard allows you to install up to 4 GB of DDR memory by populating all four slots with either a single-sided or double-sided DDR module in each slot.  Each DIMM slot supports 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB and up to a maximum size of 1 GB.  You need to install at least one DIMM module in the slots, and you should install it in the green slot first. 

Each DIMM can work respectively for single-channel DDR, and you may install memory modules of different type and density on different-channel DDR DIMMs.  However, there are some rules while using dual-channel DDR, and the same type and density memory modules are necessary while using dual-channel DDR, or instability may happen.

Dual-Channel DDR Installation

Green DIMM1 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM2 (Channel B)	Green DIMM3 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM4 (Channel B)	Total Memory
1 GB	1 GB			2 GB
		1 GB	1 GB	2 GB
1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	4 GB

Single-Channel DDR Installation

Green DIMM1 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM2 (Channel B)	Green DIMM3 (Channel A)	Purple DIMM4 (Channel B)	Total Memory
1 GB		1 GB		2 GB
	1 GB		1 GB	2 GB
1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	4 GB

To gain the maximum memory speed of DDR-400, MSI recommends the following memory combination when using either a single-sided or double-sided DDR memory module.

Note:  A single-sided memory module has chips that occupy one side of the module.  A dual-sided memory module has chips that occupy both sides of the module.

MSI Recommends Memory Combination

DIMM Slots				Maximum Speed
DIMM1	DIMM2	DIMM3	DIMM4
Single-Sided				DDR-400
		Single-Sided		DDR-400
Double-Sided				DDR-400
		Double-Sided		DDR-400
Single-Sided		Single-Sided		DDR-400
Double-Sided		Double-Sided		DDR-333
Single-Sided	Single-Sided			DDR-400
		Single-Sided	Single-Sided	DDR-400
Double-Sided	Double-Sided			DDR-400
		Double-Sided	Double-Sided	DDR-400
Single-Sided	Single-Sided	Single-Sided	Single-Sided	DDR-400
Double-Sided	Double-Sided	Double-Sided	Double-Sided	DDR-333

Conclusion

An MSI K8N Neo4 motherboard supports DDR-266/333/400 using 184-pin SDRAM DIMMs.  Each of the four DIMM slots supports a maximum size of 1 GB.  So, you can maximize the size of the memory up to 4 GB by installing a 1 GB of either a single-sided or double-sided DDR memory module in each of the four slots.  You enable a dual-channel memory operation when you install a DDR module in a green DIMM1 and a DDR module in a purple DIMM2.  You enable a single-channel memory operation when you install a DDR module in a green DIMM1 and a DDR module in a green DIMM3.  You should follow MSI’s combined memory configuration when you want a maximum memory speed of DDR-400.

References

1. MSI Computer Corporation – K8N Neo4 Platinum/SLI
   http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=K8N_Neo4_Platinum/SLI&class=mb
2. What is Dual Channel Memory & How do I use it Correctly?
   http://www.legendmemory.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=317

DDR Memory for MSI K8N NEO4

1. Corsair VS2GBKIT400C3 Value Select 2GB 2 x 1GB PC3200 400MHz 184-Pin DDR CL3 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit – From CORSAIR VALUE SELECT
2. Crucial 2 GB Kit (2 x 1GB) DDR PC3200 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC 184-PIN DIMM – From CRUCIAL TECHNOLOGY
3. Kingston Technologies 1GB DDR SDRAM Desktop Memory (KVR400/1GR) – From Kingston H. Corporation
4. OCZ OCZP4001G DDR 400 PC-3200 Platinum 1GB Module – From OCZ Technology
5. OCZ Technology 2 GB DDR PC-3200 Kit (OCZ4002048ELDCPE-K) – From OCZ Technology

ECS P4M900T-M (V1.0) Motherboard

Buy this ECS P4M900T-M Motherboard

I bought this motherboard to replace my old AOpen MX46 motherboard that had 8 bulging capacitors. I bought it at Fry’s Electronics and at the time, Frys had it on sale for $99.95 as a combo with an Intel Duo Core Pentium 4 1.6 GHz. I thought it was a pretty good deal.

I bought the combo because this ECS P4M900T-M mainboard does not support my old Pentium 4 1.8 GHz, which uses a socket 478 and this new board uses a socket LGA 775. Well, I was not only replacing the CPU and motherboard, but also a case because my old case has a power supply that uses only 20-pin power connector. This new motherboard uses a 24-pin power connector.

In addition, I had to buy a new memory module to use with ECS P4M900T-M board because my old AOpen MX46 uses DDR 400MHz, but ECS P4M900T-M uses DDR2 667MHz, 533MHz or 400MHz. As a total, I paid about $280 for the motherboard combo, 1 GB of Corsair DDR2 memoy chip, and a case with 500-watt power supply. 

Fortunately, I could still use two of my EIDE hard drives because ECS P4M900T-M provides both IDE and Serial ATA interfaces. I know I lose some disk performance, but I save some money by not upgrading to SATA drives at this time. This ECS P4M900T-M supports Windows Vista technology by design; however, I use my old Windows XP Home Edition, which I had the license from my old broken computer.

Even though ECS P4M900T-M can only support a maximum of 2 GB of memory, it is a great motherboard. I do not say it’s one of the top motherboards on the market, but others can not beat the price (listed $59.95 at amazon.com) and features that ECS P4M900T-M offers.

Features: 

• Windows Vista Ready
• WHQL Certificate
• Core 2 Quad
• Intel Core 2 Duo / Pentium D / Pentium 4 / Celeron D processor
• LGA775 Socket
• Serial ATA
• FSB 1066
• RAID0, RAID1 
• DDR2 667
• 64bit support
• USB 2.0
• PCI Express
• Integrated LAN
• Integrated Graphics
• 64-bit support
• High-quality 6-channel audio

Detailed features and specifications

Another thing I like about this motherboard is the driver CD-ROM in the package. After installing Windows XP Home Edition, 3 hardware devices are not recognized and installed by Windows. The driver CD-ROM has a tool that performs an automatic hardware detection and loads necessary drivers for each device that the tool dectects. A few reboots are required to properly registered newly installed devices, though.

Overall, I am happy with this motherboard as I experience the speed 3 times faster than my old AOpen MX46 Pentium 4 1.8 GHz motherboard. In addition, I am learning a lot from this motherboard when I challenge with a 24-pin power connector, LGA775 socket, and DDR2 memory module.

I am looking to boost the performance of this motherboard by upgrading my IDE to Serial ATA hard drives, Windows XP Home Edition to Windows XP Professional or maybe Windows Vista, and upgrading memory to a maximum of 2GB.

For the last note, while shopping for ECS P4M900T-M, remember to choose the right package with all accessories possible. There is another package that says “accessories optional” on the box, which includes only floppy and IDE cables, but not Serial ATA cable and rear I/O panel. I made a mistake on this one. The rear I/O panel is required to be installed to the back of the case and so important for any case because it is custom designed to work with a specific motherboard.

The right package should include the following:

• Motherboard
• Manual
• Driver CD-ROM
• IDE, floppy cables
• Serial ATA drive cable
• Serial ATA power cable
• Rear I/O panel
• Screws

Related ECS P4M900T-M motherboard resources:

• ECS’s Website
• BIOS
• Drivers
• Manual
• Buy ECS P4M900T-M

Boot Compaq Armada E500 from CD-ROM

The Compaq Armada E500 notebook provides easy settings for the boot options, which you can configure to boot your computer from. The default settings of boot order found in Boot options are as follows:

Boot options	Boot order
Notebook MultiBay	Third
Notebook Floppy	Second
Notebook hard drive	First
Notebook Ethernet	Fourth

This configuration is stored in the computer setup program or the basic input / output system (BIOS). In order to change a boot sequence to boot from a CD-ROM, you need to enter the computer setup and change it under Boot options in the Advanced menu.

Enter the computer setup and change to a CD-ROM boot

1. Turn on the computer. When the Compaq logo displays, press F10. Or,
2. During Power On Self Test (POST), and after the memory check completes, press F10 as soon as you see a small white square flashing on the top right corner of the screen.
3. In the computer setup, use the right arrow to move the selection to the Advanced menu.
4. Use the down arrow to move the selection down to Boot options, and press Enter. The Boot options menu pops up with four boot order as described above.
5. Use the down arrow to move the selection down to Third (Notebook MultiBay) under Boot Order.
6. Press the left arrow twice to change the order of Notebook MultiBay to First.
7. Press F10 to accept the change.
8. Press ESC to jump back File menu, and then move the selection down to “Save changes and exit”.
9. Press Enter. If asked to save changes and exit, press F10.
10. The computer is restarted. If you already have a bootable CD-ROM in the drive, it will boot from the CD-ROM.

When you are done with loading or reinstalling operating system, and you want to reset the boot order to the default setting, follow step 1 thru 5 above. Then press the right arrow twice to change from First to Third order. Again, follow step 7 thru 9 above to complete the change.