So you ran out and got yourself a shiny new computer with all the bells and whistles, including a speedy new dual-core CPU. Congratulations, you might just run into yet another Microsoft bug.
It seems that some people who run Windows XP Service Pack 2 on their dual-core machines end up experiencing "unexpected behavior." I know I did; this week I tell you how to deal with the problem. I also point you to articles and tools that tell you more than you ever thought you'd need to know about your PC's motherboard.
But Microsoft isn't all bad, you know. Not too long ago it bought up my favorite file-sharing tool, FolderShare; now it's offering the terrific service for free. Read on for details.
You're going to love this.
You spend a bundle on a fast motherboard. You follow Microsoft's advice and do all the necessary upgrades and patches. Then you find out that if your motherboard has multiple processors that support specific processor power management features, your system will experience decreased performance. Or in Microsoft's quaint way of putting it, "unexpected behavior."
Here's my story. My Intel motherboard has dual-core processors. A while back I noticed a slowdown--sluggish access opening files and loading apps. I did the usual: scratched my head a lot, cleaned my Temp and Internet cache folder, ran anti-spyware and antivirus scans, defragged the hard drive, and said nice soothing things to the computer.
Apparently enough people have complained, so Microsoft?s posted an article to address the problem, encouraging folks to switch to Linux or, as a last resort, a Mac (just kidding). Seriously, the company's posted a hotfix. The details are in a concisely titled Microsoft Knowledge Base article: "Computers that are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and that are equipped with multiple processors that support processor power management features may experience decreased performance."
Want to read more on dual-core processors? Read Tom Mainelli's take on the first releases, "Dual-Core CPUs Arrive."
Most people couldn't tell the difference between a dual-core processor and a heat sink. There's help out there for the uninitiated, like
And what about your own motherboard? If you can't recall all the details, Everest Home Edition can fill you in. Download a free copy from us.
Imagine this: You have a big file or two, or a folder stuffed with a couple of gigabytes worth of files. You want to share them all with a buddy. You thought of sending them as a file attachment or maybe popping them onto an FTP server.
A better idea is to create a folder on your PC, move the files or folders to it, and let your friends see it on their PCs almost instantly. You can do this easily with FolderShare, a Web-based tool I raved about eons ago. In November the company was scarfed up by Microsoft, and now FolderShare is a freebie. I encourage you to take advantage of this terrific, easy-to-use service, with unlimited file transfers. About the only restriction is that files can't be larger than 2GB.
I like Google's Maps, and Google Earth is cool, too. But MSN Local Live's Bird's Eye view blows Google's offerings out of the water.
Start by sticking an address in the "(use current map view)" field; zoom in using the slider on the upper left side of the page. Switch to the aerial view to hone in on the location. Click on "bird's eye" and hold your breath. For a change of perspective, click on the compass for a view from a different direction.
Steve Bass
