So I recently decided to upgrade my wireless network as I bought myself a new Linksys Wireless N router and thought I would begin the fun task of resetting everything currently going to my old router. This is where the fun begins, so I set up the new router on my desktop, which took me a bit since the installation CD was programmed by a gang of sadistic asshats that for some reason felt a need to turn off my connection and then tell me that it wasn’t working. I sorted that out via technical services and the first thing they told me to do is discard the CD as we would just set everything up manually, which was a lot easier.
After setting that up it was time to move to my laptop, this actually wasn’t too bad, but then it was time to move to all the consoles. I started with my Xbox 360, bad move, I found my network SSID with no issues but for some reason the Xbox kept asking me for a WEP key!? This was odd since I never set one up on the router, instead I had setup a more secure WPA Personal passphrase. After banging my head against the wall and trying to call up the router tech support I resorted to the master, DrunkPandas. We tried fiddling around with the damn thing and then he asked me the golden question, what adapter was I using on my 360. Well of course the old black one that I had setup on my original Xbox, I wasn’t paying another $1000 bucks for another one. Well there in lies the problem the old black model Microsoft Wireless Adapter is not compatible with WPA and can only accept WEP.
So what does this all mean, don’t try to use the old black wireless adapter with anything past WEP encryption, it just wont work and give you headaches, like me. Since the PS3 and Wii have built in wireless adapters that accept WPA and WEP, PS3 actually accepts WPA2, this was a none issue and went very smoothly. Curious how this will work out on my DS and PSP next?
Overall:
New Wireless Router N - $100
Calling tech support - Free
New Xbox 360 wireless adapter - $100
Getting a headache - Priceless
It seems Alienware has heard the cries from owners of their pimped out 15″ gaming laptop, the M15x. We reported on the overheating and cracking issues last week. Already, Alienware has pushed out a fix.
You’ll have to email Alienware to get the new beta Bios release, X29b P3A30. You can shoot them a line at area51_m15x@alienware.com and ask for a copy, since this is a beta release. A full public version should be available shortly.
The new bios allows the GPU fan to spin up to 5400rpm to give better cooling. Your laptop might get a bit louder, but it’s not going to overheat and downclock your graphics card anymore.
Ruh Roh Raggy. Alienware has some cleaning up to do. Apparently, their new M15x monster gaming laptop is killing itself.
The gaming laptop is having some major overheating problems and the cases are cracking simply from opening and closing the lid. Not good at all. A few users over at Notebook Review have done some extensive testing on their own and found both the M15x and it’s predecessor, the M550, having heat issues, but the M15x seems to take the top spot with both overheating and the case cracking.
As the biggest manufacturer of gaming notebooks, you would expect Alienware to get these issues right. They did indicate they did not see these issues in testing, but many users are still having issues. Hopefully they’ll get on the ball and get the heat and cracking issues worked out.
Benjamin “Ben Heck” Heckendorn has done it, he has made an Xbox 360 Elite into a functioning laptop. The laptop is complete with an HDMI to DVI connection, IR sensor, built in keyboard and even a camera. Here he shows off by playing a bit of Halo 3 on his contraption, I have to say this is pretty cool to see. I wonder if he will try to make a Wii and a PS3 version?
You may have noticed I’ve been a bit absent the past few days. If you were jumping for joy, you’ll be glad to hear I’ll be down for the count for a bit longer. My Dell laptop decided to kick the bucket, a mere 2 weeks after the warranty expired. So I’ve decided it’s time to take the plunge and switch to Mac.
I picked up a 15″ MacBook Pro yesterday from my local Apple Store. I got home to discover that they keyboard intermittently stops working. Just my luck. Anyway, I’m heading back to the Apple Store in a bit to exchange this out for a different laptop. I should be back in full force tomorrow afternoon/evening.
While I’m away, if anyone has an recommendations for cool apps for Mac, or good versions of FTP or SSH software, let me know in the comments.
We're like Spaceballs... we're making Loot Ninja everything. Coming soon we'll have hats, shirts, hoodies, possibly banana hammocks if one Editor has his way...
Check out the shirt prototypes here and the hats here
