When in doubt, re-flash the BIOS

I seem to have had a few strange issues recently that were apparently caused by an out-of-date BIOS. Just the simple though risky operation of re-flashing the BIOS to the latest version, has fixed the problem.


Problems like updating memory in old systems, where the latest purchased sticks of memory aren't accepted by the motherboard, installing a new CPU (Processor uCode missing), unreliable booting with integrated graphics, etc. have all been fixed by newer BIOS versions. I've always been a bit hesitant to perform BIOS updates as if it goes wrong can be the quickest way to trash a motherboard. So carefully checking the exact make, model and revision of each motherboard is essential. Always get your BIOS update from the motherboard manufacturer's website as the are many 'tweaked' BIOSes out there which could cause problems. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Some like DELL can actually be done from within Windows, some directly using a DOS program from a floppy and others direct from a USB memory stick.

Not upgrading to WHS 2011

I will not be upgrading to the latest Windows Home Server 2011 version. Microsoft's removal of the Drive Extender and folder sharing across drives plus the extra memory resources required means I will just continue to run the original Version 1 with PowerPack 3 on my DELL PowerEdge SC440 with just 1Gb of memory.

It is a pity that Microsoft has given up on the technology and the product. Certainly the software Drive Extender technology could be used elsewhere such as Small Business Server or even Windows itself. WHS would also seem to have a useful future as the centre of your digital home. Without hardware and the enthusiastic support from the community it will probably die.

Microsoft's Windows Small Business Server 2011

I've just completed my first Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 installation. It has been a successful exploration of the new features and wizards of Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010 and Sharepoint 2010. Though I'm impressed that most of the server software management functions are readily available to the novice user some of the settings, logs, reports, etc. have been buried even further into the depths. Email in particular is difficult to monitor. User's file replication and sharing sharing appears easier to configure with wizards to move this data, email storage are readily available and easy to follow.

The full Microsoft Outlook licences have now been removed completely and replaced by Outlook Web Access. No problem for novice users but Outlook aficionados will struggle to accept this will be forced to buy a Office 2010 version that includes the full program. Pity as most client computers now come with acceptable Word and Excel Office 2010 Starter variants.

All-in-all, a good upgrade from Microsoft for small companies who want to manage, secure and protect their data in an affordable, integrated package.

The Lure of Quad Core

I've always been a proponent of having more than one processor in a computer. Right from the early days of my Intergraph TD3 workstation which had two original Intel Pentium 90MHz CPUs and ran the first version of Microsoft's Windows NT. The ability to multi-task and the benefit of improved response time was immediately obvious. You could continue to work while printing or formatting a floppy.

Now, I'm convinced that quad core CPUs are almost the bare minimum for effective working. Both my admin and games systems both have four cores and the responsiveness is even better than dual core. Fast true quad core processors like the new Intel Core i5-2400 and plenty of memory is the way to go. Things just happen when you want them to.

DELL Vostro 460 and RAID

I had to order three new DELL Vostro 460 desktops for a business customer. To upgrade the basic configuration from 2Gb to 4Gb of DDR3 memory costs £60 plus VAT and to add an extra 320Gb hard disk drive to each costs £120 plus VAT. I decided to buy the extra bits myself at £18 per 2Gb stick of Crucial memory and Samsung 320Gb HDD for £30 each. In total for three systems saving myself over £500. Now the difficult bit, fitting the extras and reconfiguring to RAID 1 Mirror.

Adding the RAM was relatively easy of course, but fitting each extra hard disk drive less so. DELL mounts their hard drive in proprietary rails which they don't sell separately. However, you can screw the extra disk into to space for the optional optical disk drive. There is a 3-1/2" bay available but the SATA power lead won't stretch that far. And I don't think that business customers are going to upgrade to Blu-Ray drives that soon.

Then press F2 to go into BIOS and set the SATA device controller option to RAID. Save and install Windows. When complete, start the Intel Rapid Storage Manager and select protect your data by creating a volume. Wait a couple of hours and you have data protection at the desktop level for minimum outlay and trouble. Magic!

DELL Vostro 460 review

Let me start this review by saying that this is the fastest, most responsive computer that I've ever used and all my benchmark results prove this. And this is only a mid-range 'Sandy Bridge' processor the Intel Core i5 2400! With configurations starting at just over £400 this Vostro 460 mini-tower is a real bargain for anyone who wants a powerful desktop or as a basis of a value gaming system.

Opening the attractive case reveals further details that show the typical DELL attention to detail. Two 8cm fans spin slowly and quietly, and the quality 350W power supply. Also the six pin PCI-EX graphics card power adapter allowing you to install mid-range low power consuming graphics card like the AMD Radeon HD6850. There do not appear to be any USB 3 connections available or SATA 6GB/s sockets on the motherboard and these do not appear to be options either. There is an external eSATA and HDMI connectors on the rear of the case. Also an older VGA D-sub video connector instead of the more modern DVI.

A real disappointment is the use of proprietary metal rails to secure the hard disk drive. These are not available from DELL unless you purchase a really expensive extra hard drive. Also the memory upgrades are expensive as well, though with four slots you can always purchase the DDR3 DIMMs yourself and easily expand the capacity.

These points do little to dampen my enthusiasm for this excellent value desktop which really show the performance of Intel's new processor in an affordable package.

Selling second-hand PCs

I've been selling second-hand computers for a while now and I often wonder if it is worth it. When I sell a new DELL computer to a customer they often want to trade-in or for me to dispose of their old computer which I'm willing to do.

However it often involves a lot of work to wipe their personal data, restore Windows and then upgrade it to the latest version. I also add applications such as free anti-virus such as AVG Free or Microsoft Security Essentials, Adobe Reader Microsoft Works, Open Office, etc. So with the checking out the hardware this adds up top two to three hours work for just £50 to £100 I get for selling this computer. Fine, I am recycling old systems and giving them a new useful life to people who generally cannot afford a new one and I don't offer any warranty. But this is time consuming work with little in return.

The people who buy a second-hand computer for £50-60 do not want to spend another £40 to install it either. In fact they often expect first-class service for a third-class price. And if it fails they blame you: that PC that you sold me two years ago has gone wrong, so what are you going to do about it?

Selling on eBay is no solution either. The last DELL Dimension that I sold went for under £3. Not a good return on my time and effort. It is a pity as some of these are good computer from reliable manufact- urers like DELL, Compaq, Acer and HP and they could offer a useful life for another couple of years at least. But is it worth it?