Lenovo product specs

Lenovo X220

Just came back from buying new laptop. I monitored for about a month used goods internet board Yad2 and finally I found a hot deal. Lenovo X220 (4291-4CG) for 4,000 NIS. New one like this here in Israel starts from 8,400. I was so lucky and that seller came with unboxed laptop. It's manufacture date was Dec 26th 2011 (less than a month)!

Lenovo X220 4291 specs

This is CPU-Z validation page with hardware details.

At Cisco I had older model X201 for less than a year and now when I'm layed off, I was need a good "work horse" at home. As I buy things for long period, I wanted a strong model. And, honestly, I wanted same Lenovo. I never saw something good like this at other manufactures. I also know how to dessasebmle it, I knew where Lenovo sits in Israel, was there several times. But who wants to pay about 10K for laptop?

But my post is not about the laptop. It's about how to check it's spec details by model. Most people selling used laptops write only few main things about them like CPU, RAM, HDD specs and if it has scratches, how cool it is - more epithet that facts. But to know more details you should refer to Lenovo data sheet. So I was always asking for product id (type-model) of the laptop.

Lenovo X201 3626 product sticker

Now, knowing product id, I found a good place where to check full specs. Google not always lead to right results. Your start point is Lenovo - Personal Systems Reference (PSREF). Here you can find index for current and withdrawn products, look for exact specs: CPU type, chipset, memory, HDD types, screens, network cards, other details.

Highlighted links are:
History file - place to understand files structure

Find you model, remember sheet name from column
Index of current products
Index of current products (Western Europe)
Index of withdrawn products

Search for type-model or sheet name in these
ThinkPad Notebooks
ThinkPad Notebooks (Western Europe)
Withdrawn ThinkPad Notebooks; 2005 to presen

Parts lookup by type and s/n http://support.lenovo.com/en/ibasepartslookup
Warranty lookup http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/warrantylookup
X230 How to identify models with IPS

Update (2012-02-09)
Got nice case for my laptop Case Logic ULA-112 for 120 NIS.

Samsung Galaxy S2

So that finally happened. I got new Samsung Galaxy S II.

The Galaxy feels not complete without a good case.

The best case so far is Case-Mate Tough that I got from MyLaptop.co.il home held store in Ra'anana for 189 NIS with free Momax screen protector PSPCSAI9100 (made in Japan) that by itself worth 40 NIS.

Now, some useful information.
Must Know Tips & Tricks For The Galaxy S II
Samsung Galaxy s2 i9100 Test before buying with service menu and USB OTG test (rus)
XDA Developers: Improving battery life
Battery University

Service menu codes
*#06# - IMEI number
*#0*# - testing
*#*#4636#*#* - phone info
*#44336# - software version
*#34971539# - CameraFirmware Standard
*#301279# - How to disable HSPA / HSDPA for better battery life

More codes from http://mobilecon.info/samsung-secret-code.html
Code
phone information : *#*#4636#*#*
hard reset* : *2767*3855#
factory reset** : *#*#7780#*#*
change end call/power option : *#*#7594#*#*
service mode : *#*#197328640#*#*
file copy screen (backup media files) : *#*#273283*255*663282*#*#*
wlan test : *#*#526#*#*
shows wifi mac address : *#*#232338#*#*
gps test : *#*#1472365#*#*
another gps test : *#*#1575#*#*
bluetooth test : *#*#232331#*#*
shows bluetooth device address : *#*#232337#*#
gtalk service monitor : *#*#8255#*#*

codes to launch various factory tests:
packet loopback : *#*#0283#*#*
lcd test : *#*#0*#*#*
melody test : *#*#0673#*#*
device test (vibration test and backlight test) : *#*#0842#*#*
touch screen version -warning!!- : *#*#2663#*#*
touch screen test : *#*#2664#*#*
proximity sensor test : *#*#0588#*#*
ram version : *#*#3264#*#*


codes to get firmware version information:
pda, phone, h/w, rfcalldate : *#*#4986*2650468#*#*
pda and phone : *#*#1234#*#*
fta sw version : *#*#1111#*#*
fta hw version : *#*#2222#*#*
pda, phone, csc, build time, changelist number : *#*#44336#*#*

Nb:
hard reset will erase all file and setting in memory, it`s like reformat the firmware. Once you press it, there is no turning back.
factory reset only delete the account, system and setting application.
And be careful with *#*#2663#*#* (touch screen version), don`t upgrade the version it`s same like do a hard reset

Home refrigerator need a glass door

Image courtesy of http://www.ebuild.com/articles/941142.hwx

I don't know why, but it's easy for to grab fruits when I see them in front of me (especially on a plate). And more difficult to go look in a fridge. And I also like them cooled.

Hey, refrigerator makes, make more like that on picture!

Glass will also requires you avoiding mess on shelves and less spoiled products will go to trash (money saver).

Waiting tone tune for cellphones

Greatings for this idea going to BezeqInt and their stupid customer support (more details will follow).

Sometimes, when talking with support people, it's not a bad thing to record conversation that can save your ass in a future. So, instead of warning them by yourself all the time (price negotiation can go beyond 3-5 calls a day), we need a waiting tone that do that for us. It's a track that playing when somebody calls you and hear it instead of old-school single tones. It will do the job and also fun for people calling you, right huh? ;-)

Stop sending to yourself using Microsoft Outlook

I see people around still sending e-mails to themselves in CC or even TO fields that makes me smile :-)
That's because they need to track sent e-mails in a inbox, because by default it goes in Sent Items folder and to see it you need to switch view.

Nowadays, you have Search Folders that can easily help you to track your conversations - recieved and sent. I use it since I started use Outlook at work here in Cisco, since 2007.

The solution

See also
Create Custom Search Folders
How to Use the Query Builder for View Filters and Advanced Searches
Learn to narrow your search criteria for better searches in Outlook

QAS - Quality Airport Services

"We aim high in services" - such motherfuckers. Fail in a passenger services.
They never answer the phone they gave 972-3-975-4300. And you will never know why your luggage was not arrived with you.

To get them or any assistance, call following phones or top-level managers.

Duty Manager
972-57-771-4341

Passenger Services Manager
972-3-975-7240

Full list of phones at their QAS Contacts page.

Ливанов

Сегодня юбилей у Василия Ливанова. Посмотрев сюжет на первом, я получил очередное подтверждение своему аргументу в пользу просмотра зарубежных фильмов с оригинальной звуковой дорожкой, но с субтитрами.

Голос - это неотъемлимая часть игры актёра. Я не могу представить чужой голос Шерлока Холмса, Доктора Хауса, Шелдона, Барни Стинсона, Дона Дрейпера, Майкла Вестена, Декстера Моргана и других персонажей.

Поэтому, отрывайте жопы, смотрите в оригинале, читайте субтитры. Вначале тяжело, зато потом вы будете блевать от переводов.
(Кстати, я не спорю, есть приятные исключения в виде профессионального дубляжа хорошими российскими актёрами, которые можно сосчитать по пальцам).

NetBeans 6.9 and Lenovo TrackPoint in Windows 7

Problem
Recently I installed new NetBeans 6.9 on my Lenovo X61s and found that TrackPoint is not working for scrolling with middle button.

Solution
You need to find TrackPoint file tp4table.dat where programs mappings listed.
Under my Windows 7 Enterprise 32-bit I found it in C:\Program Files\Lenovo\TrackPoint\.
Use file search, if you have a trouble finding it there.
Now open file with write permission (if you non-privileged user, use admin account) and add following to the programs section.
; NetBeans
*,*,netbeans.exe,*,*,*,WheelStd,0,9

Don't mess with [AutoScrollTable] section at the end of the file were syntax goes like this
*,*,iexplore.exe,*,smooth
NetBeans fix should be inserted before auto scroll table part. Believe me, I tried that for two days asking myself a lot of "why this not working" :-)

To apply settings, open Windows Task Manager, find process named tp4serv.exe (PS/2 TrackPoint Daemon) and end it. As it run as your user, you don't need administrator to rerun it again. Go to C:\Program Files\Lenovo\TrackPoint\ and run tp4serv.exe again.
If that doesn't help to apply settings, try to restart Windows or check other related precesses: SynTPEnh.exe and SynTPLpr.exe; restart SynTPEnh.exe.

Tested on
Product Version: NetBeans IDE 6.9 (Build 201006101454)
Java: 1.6.0_21; Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM 17.0-b16
System: Windows 7 version 6.1 running on x86; Cp1252; en_US (nb)

More info
"Mouse wheel scroll" not working on Touchpads
Thinkpad Scrolling fixed for Safari and IntelliJ
Trackpoint Scrolling with Java
Google on tp4table.dat

Bonus
Firefox fix
; Mozilla Firefox
*,*,firefox.exe,*,*,MozillaWindowClass,WheelVkey,0,11

Other Java programs fix (if not works by defaults)
*,*,*,*,*,SunAwtFrame,WheelStd,0,9
*,*,*,*,*,SunAwtDialog,WheelStd,0,9
*,*,*,*,*,SunAwtCanvas,WheelStd,0,9
*,*,*,*,*,SunAwtFrame,WheelStd,0,9

Window names can be found with free AutoIt tool, kudos for tip to Andy.

012 Smile internet

Looks like now, my internet connection is fine.

After I've spent a lot of time last week on my cell phone with them, their VoIP box passed away, and they replaced it by new one after 2 days. Another fail is when I ask for free call back from support because I on my cell, they saying "wait, it will not take more than a minute" and then again and again.

All was need is a right support guy, his name is Eugene.
He is not tell to Cisco employee "type ping on black screen, it's spelling P-I-N-G" or "you need a PC technician, you have problem with your PC" that's just so unprofessional for support host. I guess, the main issue on any support service its experience and quality of that young boys and girls, 012 is the worst company.

Also, if 012 representatives (not support) promise to call you back on next day to check is that fixed or when to take replacement, that will never happen.

But anyway, thumb down for 012, better choose Bezeqint or Netvision.

012

I want to clarify why I complain about 012 and why you should avoid buy their service.
I'm not saying that it happens with all their clients, but from what I know - you better find another provider.

I work at Cisco and till April 25th 2010 our company was paid for home broadband internet, usually 5 Mb / 512 kb. I was happy subscriber of HOT business as infrastructure and Bezeqint Business as ISP.

Now, as company reduces costs and employees need to switch to self paid internet. Cisco called all ISP to the office and the come with different deals - 012 Smile, Netvision, Bezeqint and Orange. Most of us chose 012 cause of lowest prices. They have bundles (ISP + infrastructure) or just ISP service.

Compare details on 012 deal to Cisco versus regular request as new client, prices in NIS.
Client type: Business vs. Private
ISP cost: 30 vs. 90
HOT cost: 72 vs. 80
Bundle cost: 102 vs. 130
In summary, if you are new client you will pay 130 NIS every month for 5/512, if you from Cisco - 102 NIS. Pretty good prices for us, because we have a big group of people looking for internet.

Now, when I switched to 012 from Bezeqint, here start my problems.
The major are
- torrent traffic is shaped (more details in next post)
- L2TP connection lost from 2-4 times per day
- support is also playing ping-pong with you sending you to HOT, HOT to 012 and so on.

Before Cisco (3 years ago) I was also using 012 and was very unhappy with them because of same things. I thought they changed - wrong! Now they won't let me leave and keep fucking my brain every day (details to follow).

By the way, you can try them for 14 days and disconnect without even say a reason as new remark to law says.

012 vs Bezeqint

This is a simple check I made yesterday evening - same torrent files were tested over 10 minutes.

Bad ISP - traffic shaping - 012 Gold lines

Good ISP - no shaping - Bezeqint

More details to follow...

012 Smile - Voice box after router

How to connect 012 voice box after your router and control it.

This is my device

Make: AudioCodes
Model: MP-202 (012 uses MP-202/012/CBL)
I got with M.Date 12/2008

user@wazup:~$ sudo nmap -sS -O 10.100.101.1

Starting Nmap 5.00 ( http://nmap.org ) at 2010-05-06 01:24 IDT
Interesting ports on 10.100.101.1:
Not shown: 995 closed ports
PORT     STATE    SERVICE
23/tcp   filtered telnet
443/tcp  open     https
992/tcp  open     telnets
8080/tcp open     http-proxy
8443/tcp open     https-alt
MAC Address: 00:90:8F:09:93:DC (Audio Codes)
Device type: general purpose
Running: Linux 2.4.X
OS details: Linux 2.4.18 - 2.4.35 (likely embedded)

Also another suspicious ports
2555 open uknown
8023 open unknown
2945/sctp filtered h248-binary
7626/sctp filtered simco

UDP scan took 20 minutes.
user@wazup:~$ sudo nmap -sU 10.100.101.1

Starting Nmap 5.00 ( http://nmap.org ) at 2010-05-06 01:26 IDT
Interesting ports on 10.100.101.1:
Not shown: 983 closed ports
PORT STATE SERVICE
53/udp open|filtered domain
67/udp open|filtered dhcps
68/udp open|filtered dhcpc
161/udp open|filtered snmp
789/udp open|filtered unknown
965/udp open|filtered unknown
1007/udp open|filtered unknown
1105/udp open|filtered unknown
1900/udp open|filtered upnp
16503/udp open|filtered unknown
20678/udp open|filtered unknown
21524/udp open|filtered unknown
21644/udp open|filtered unknown
21780/udp open|filtered unknown
21898/udp open|filtered unknown
49173/udp open|filtered unknown
55043/udp open|filtered unknown
MAC Address: 00:90:8F:09:93:DC (Audio Codes)

So, to place this box after your router and control it, you need to connect your PC via cable in LAN/PC port, wait for IP address from it, check a Gateway IP and use it in browser with 8080 port (https://GATEWAY-IP/ also works). Username is "user", password is "wel-012!" (all without quotes). Set Connection Type to "Automatic IP Address Ethernet Connection".

No you need to set QoS rules for SIP and RTP protocols - this will help prioritize voice traffic over other, so when you need to call, your torrent will not affect you, because voice will get high priority.
Ports are 5060, 5061, 5004, 5005.

If support guys can't reach it, setup port forwarding to black box, they should be happy.

Led indication
SIP registration status LED indication - a successful registration ('online' state) is indicated by a LED flashing slowly (a very short flash every 4 seconds). This indication is per phone line.
The LEDs labeled 'Phone 1' and 'Phone 2'reflect the status of the phones connected to the MP-202:
ON - During power-up and when the phone is off-hook.
OFF - Normal / the phone is on-hook
Flashing - Phone is ringing

See also about that in Hebrew

Learning Adobe Flex

Last week I learned some Adobe Flex.
They got great video course - Flex in a Week - recommended if you want a smooth start without too much reading.

In frame of this week, I did a small project - company car chooser. Most big companies (like mine Cisco) offer to their employees leased cars. Sometimes it profitable, sometimes not (out of this article scope).

So, people should choose a car and CarChooser will help them to make a first choice (or minimize options) by simple criteria filtering like budget, major car specs, tax rates (for Israel). It uses Google Image Search service for preview images, so it's very cool. Before that we have simple cars table with names and links to makes pages. You need to open 5-10 links until you find how much you will pay, how it looks like and can you use trunk for folding bikes with food at once.

Online demo
Source code on GitHub

See also
Flex developer center
Flex/AIR Application Scope Tips

PHP

I was unable to install today PECL extention PDO_MYSQL via

sudo pecl install PDO_MYSQL


The problem was that after configure, make can't find mysql header files.

...
In file included from /tmp/pear/temp/PDO_MYSQL/pdo_mysql.c:31:
/tmp/pear/temp/PDO_MYSQL/php_pdo_mysql_int.h:25:19: mysql.h: No such file or directory
In file included from /tmp/pear/temp/PDO_MYSQL/pdo_mysql.c:31:
/tmp/pear/temp/PDO_MYSQL/php_pdo_mysql_int.h:36: error: syntax error before "MYSQL"
...


So I learned how to make an extension manually.
I ran locate mysql.h, copyed all mysql headers from there to current folder and now you can make it

phpize --clean
phpize
./configure
make


make install won't worked for me.
pdo_mysql.so placed in modules dir, copy it to extentions dir (php -i | grep extension_dir) and enable in php.ini.

These steps will not add PDO_MYSQL under the PEAR, so you need to maintain it by yourself. But to update list of installed packages, you can do this trick

sudo pecl install -rB pdo_mysql

-r means do not install files, only register the package as installed
-B means don't build C extensions

Some other good to read links
Topic : pdo_mysql.so driver Installation

Израильские сайты

Более-менее полезные источники информации.

Для поиска по ним можно пользоваться расширенным поиском яндекса или фильтром "site:" гугла.

Безвозмездная раздача вещей

http://community.livejournal.com/hinam_ru/

и обмен

http://community.livejournal.com/ahlafot_ru

Про работу

http://community.livejournal.com/rabota_il/

О законе

http://community.livejournal.com/pravo_il/

Одафим, Стоки, Базары

http://community.livejournal.com/odafim_il/

Right way for Windows 7 installation

Here is what you need to tweek after OS install.

Enable Administrator account

1. run cmd as administrator
2. type net user administrator /active:yes

Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows 7 or Vista

Enable ping response

1. As Administrator
2. Go to Windows Firewall
3. Open Advanced settings
4. Find and enable following rules
   
   
   1. File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In), Domain
   2. File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv4-In), Public
   3. File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv6-In), Domain
   4. File and Printer Sharing (Echo Request - ICMPv6-In), Public

Alternative way how to do that - How to Enable Ping Reply in Windows 7

Remote Desktop connections

Allow Remote Desktop Connections

What to set, if local users have no passwords

Wired LAN priority

Wired lan over wireless priority

1. open Control Panel
2. go to Network connections
3. open Advanced menu
4. select Advanced settings
5. in the connections box reorder them as you want them to be

There is now good way to disable DVD auto eject, see search results on that.

Windows Updates
Allow all users to install updates on computer.


Popular issues

Windows 7 taskbar disappearing?

See also

Right way for Windows XP installation

Windows 7 RC Failed Trust Relationship helped me on password change in domain (or this post)
19 Tips Every Windows 7 User Needs to Know
Enable TFTP and Telnet clients
Disable CTRL+ALT+DELETE sequence for logging

Git aliases

I found this very useful in day-to-day git work.

[alias]
    a = add

    s = status --short
    ss = status

    b = branch -a
    ba = branch -a -vv
    bs = !git-branch-status
    bsi = !git-branch-status -i

    c = commit
    cm = commit -m

    co = checkout

    d = diff --color
    ds = diff --color --stat
    dsp = diff --color --stat -p
    # files changed between commits
    dn = diff --color --name-only

    l = log --color --decorate
    ls = log --color --stat --decorate
    ln = log --name-status --color
    lsp = log --color --stat -p --decorate
    lg = log --graph '--pretty=tformat:%Cblue%h%Creset %Cgreen%ar%Creset %Cblue%d%Creset %s'
    lga = log --graph '--pretty=tformat:%Cblue%h%Creset %Cgreen%ar%Creset %Cblue%d%Creset %s' --all
    l10 = log --graph '--pretty=tformat:%Cblue%h%Creset %Cgreen%ar%Creset %Cblue%d%Creset %s' --all -10
    # for complicated branches
    lsd = log --graph '--pretty=tformat:%Cblue%h%Creset %Cgreen%ar%Creset %Cblue%d%Creset %s' --all --simplify-by-decoration

    ru = remote update
    sb = show-branch --sha1-name

    ls-del = ls-files -d
    ls-mod = ls-files -m # including remote files
    ls-new = ls-files --exclude-standard -o
    ls-ign = ls-files --exclude-standard -o -i

Update (2012-11-11)

https://gist.github.com/4056358

Выбираем DVD-привод

Решившись брать новый привод взамен еле дышащего старого Optiarc AD-7191S, я полез на forum.ixbt.com.

Начитавшись вдоволь кучу постов, в голове обрисовалась следующая картина:
1. Нет идеального устройства для всего, есть хорошо пишущие (Nec или Pioneer) и хорошо читающие (Lite-On и его клоны); к приближённо-универсальным можно отнести Pioneer;
2. Чем дальше, сложнее найти что-то стоящее. Грамотные люди запасаются проверенными временем моделями в прок (покупают сразу несколько штук ака домашний склад).
3. Грамотные люди ставят 2 устройства: одно для чтения, одно для записи (см п.1);
4. Lite-On делает OEM версии своих продуктов для сторонних фирм типа ASUS, HP - т.е. начинка родная, стикеры - нет. При точном совпадении можно переделать клон в родной лайтон при помощи родной прошивки
5. Все манипуляции с перепрошиванием делаем на свой страх и риск и обычно лишают гарантии - что логично в принципе.
6. Есть популярный ресурс cdfreaks, где есть хорошие обзоры девайсов и мегакодеры дотачивают напильниками заводские прошивки, за что им огромный респект.
7. Привод это половина проблемы - болванки тоже бывают говно полное.
8. Как проверяется: записывается на качественном резаке и проверяется через DVD info tool качество записи
9. Отличная запись - C1 average < 2, C2 = 0; хорошая - C1 average < 10, C2 = 0; Jitter желателен менее 8% (отсюда)

Выследить нужную модель можно с помощью Google Alerts, который о появлении этих моделей в поисковом индексе пришлют вам уведомление на почту или рсс.
Вот пример моих запросов (искал в Израиле)
(nec | sony | optiarc) (ad-7203s | ad-7243s) site:co.il
liteon ihas324 site:co.il
pioneer (dvr-116d | dvr-117d | dvr-216d | dvr-217d) site:co.il -inurl:fxp.co.il

Список рекомендованных девайсов (в основном чёрная лицевая панель и SATA интерфейс):
Lite-On: iHAS-220, iHAS-222, iHAS-224, iHAS-324, iHAS-422, iHAS-424
Pioneer: DVR-116D, DVR-117D, DVR-216DBK, DVR-217DBK
Benq: DW1655
Sony Optiarc (Nec): AD-720xS, AD-724xS
Различия в моделях: AD-7240S, AD-7241S (с LightScribe), AD-7243S (с LabelFlash)

В своём выборе я придерживался стратегии "какие девайсы есть у крутых мемберов на этих форумах (обычно написано в подписи к постам или в профилях) и что из них есть в продаже за доступные мне деньги". В итоге я приобрёл Sony Optiarc AD-7240S и Pioneer DVR-216DBK. Теперь охочусь на Lite-On iHAS-324 (важно заказать iHAS324-08, а не iHAS324-98).

Полезные ссылки:
Читать в первую очередь! Что, чем и как прошивать: ссылки по теме
CD-Recordable FAQ
Советы со всего света
DVD±RW SATA - работает только в PIO
Пример поиска модели Sony Optiarc AD-7240S на форуме через Яндекс (не забываем ставить галочку) и через Гугл
Troubleshooting: Enabling/Checking DMA in Windows Vista, XP, 2000, Me, 9x
F.A.Q. for PC DVD-Writers
The NEC/Optiarc F.A.Q.

Skype HQ

По мотивам поста на хабре привожу примерные настройки для более качественного видео в скайпе.

Ищем конфиг скайпа (config.xml) и подправляем видео настройки на что-то подобное

<Video>
<CaptureHeight>480</CaptureHeight>
<CaptureWidth>640</CaptureWidth>
<Fps>25</Fps>
</Video>

Файл конфига Windows XP у меня был в C:\Documents and Settings\<WINDOWS-USER>\Application Data\Skype\<SKYPE-USER>\config.xml

Ссылки:
Skype video calls with high resolution and frame rate
High Quality Video
Хачу ищо!

Updates 2.0

The new way of software updates is update checkers (can use both)

• FileHippo.com Update Checker
• AppHit.com Software Update Checker

And another cool service for installing software via checkboxes is Ninite - you select programs you want to install from the list and it do that with no pain! But be aware here about all programs will be installed with their defaults (usually suits for most people).