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Since I last ran a reader Q&A a few weeks ago, I’ve received another compelling question. Reader Robert has an older Emachines desktop that recently developed a problem: “I installed a driver updater tool, and when I deleted it, it did something that changed my BIOS. the black screen appears when I boot up and reads: ‘System BIOS shadowed. Check time and date settings. System CMOS checksum bad–default configuration used.’”
Robert says he’s tried contacting both Phoenix Technologies (maker of the BIOS) and Emachines, and neither company could help. (The BIOS dates back to 2003, and the system itself is long out of warranty.)
Fortunately, this sounds like a pretty easy problem to fix. I don’t think the driver-update utility is to blame here, but rather a poorly timed CMOS-battery failure. See, most desktop motherboards have a small battery that supplies power to the BIOS even when the machine is turned off. This battery might last two years or it might last 10, but when it fails, you’ll often see an error message like the one above. (Your system will also fail to keep proper time, as the clock is one of the elements powered by that battery.)
Most CMOS batteries are standard CR2032 “button” cells, which cost no more than a few bucks at your local drugstore, but check your motherboard documentation just to be safe. Replacing one is usually a two-minute job: pop out the old one, pop in the new one, and you’re done. After that, you’ll probably need to venture into the BIOS to reset the clock and double-check other system settings (like boot priority).
Just be glad this didn’t happen to your laptop. Laptops use CMOS batteries just like desktops, but on most models they’re difficult–if not impossible–to replace. which begs the question: After all these years, why haven’t laptop manufacturers figured out a better way to power the CMOS?
Not long ago a neighbor came to me with a malware-infested laptop. Some particularly nasty trojan had made its way onto the system (despite the presence of a certain big-name security suite, cough, ahem), rendering it more or less inoperable. the Start menu wouldn’t work, programs wouldn’t run, and I couldn’t even get Task Manager to appear.
In cases like these, I always turn to my trusty flash drive, which I keep equipped with a few of my favorite malware-busting security tools. And the best way I’ve found to make sure I have the latest versions of those tools is with SSDownloader (short for Security Software Downloader).
This open-source utility reminds me a lot of Ninite, the fab freebie that downloads and installs your favorite software. SSDownloader works much the same way, but obviously focuses exclusivley on security. the app is portable, meaning it runs fine from a flash drive. (There’s no installation required.)
When you launch it, you’ll see five pretty self-explanatory tabs: Free Antivirus, Security Suites (Trial Versions), Malware Removal, Firewalls, and other Tools. Within these tabs you’ll find around 50 programs; check the box next to the ones you want to fetch, then click Download. It’s that simple.
Impressively, SSDownloader can auto-detect your operating system (Windows XP or Vista/7) and even whether it’s 32- or 64-bit; it’ll download the correct software versions accordingly. It doesn’t run or install any of them, though–that part’s up to you.
Here’s a random sampling of what’s available: Avast Anti-Virus Free, Panda Internet Security (trial), Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (a personal favorite), HiJack This, Comodo Firewall Free, WinPatrol, LastPass, and CyberGhost VPN. In other SSDownloader makes it a snap to download a wealth of essential software–most of it freeware.
The interface is a little rough around the edges, but I can’t recommend this tool highly enough.
If you’ve got a hassle that needs solving, send it my way. I can’t promise a response, but I’ll definitely read every e-mail I get–and do my best to address at least some of them in the PCWorld Hassle-Free PC blog. my 411: . You can also sign up to have the Hassle-Free PC newsletter e-mailed to you each week.
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there hasn’t exactly been a rush of 3D handsets on the market, although that’s to be expected really. a couple of months ago we saw the Optimus 3D from LG, which was definitely unique but had quite a few problems. Now here’s HTC, tentatively dipping its toe in the water with the Evo 3D, which as a 3D display and twin cameras for shooting your own 3D clips.
The HTC Evo 3D uses the technology pioneered by Nintendo’s 3DS, and in common with it, you’ll be pleased to know you can watch these stereoscopic masterpieces on your phone without wearing glasses. however, a glance at the state that Nintendo finds itself in with the 3DS (it has dropped the price dramatically) seems to indicate that people aren’t really all that interested in a pocket sized 3D experience.
First impressions of the HTC Evo 3D
Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S, the Evo 3D appears rather big and clunky. Specifically it measures 126x65x12mm, and it weighs a hefty 170g. That’s around 3mm thicker and 50g heavier than the Galaxy S. You’ll either really want that 3D feature, or the kudos of having the latest gimmick, to put up with this size and weight in your pocket.
The phone reminded us of the HTC Sensation when it came to the build quality of the handset. You’ll find the power switch, and headphone jack on the top of the phone. The right hand side is crammed with the volume control, a button for the camera, and the control for 2D/3D display. Meanwhile all on its lonesome on the left hand side is the microSD port.
Screen play on the HTC Evo 3D
The HTC Evo 3D has a decently sized capacitive 4.3inch touchscreen with a high resolution of 540×960. The resulting images were crisp and sharp. again, echoing the Sensation, four Android buttons are located beneath the Evo’s screen. these are Home, Settings, back and Search. Impressively easy to use, the buttons are touch-sensitive with a speedy response time.
The two camera lenses are positioned within the rubber casing on the rear of the handset. when both the cameras are activated they work together to shoot in 3D.
2D vs 3D
This phone doesn’t just remind us of the HTC sensation, it pretty much is the Sensation just with 3D tacked on. you get a really powerful 1.2GHz dual-core processor on both phones, and the same sized 4.3-inch screen. The form factor is nearly identical, with the 3D giving the Evo an extra 0.8mm thickness and 22g.
With both phones you also get the Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. in common with HTC products, both phones have the skin it likes to slip over the Android OS – the HTC Sense 3.0 interface.
while it is fabulous to find this excellent skin on the Evo 3D as well, this is also a downside. Because it doesn’t take into account the 3D features on the phone at all.
Let’s take a look at the LG Optimum 3D for example. On the screen there’s a 3D Space, for collecting all your 3D content. Not so on the Evo. We’ve always been very impressed with the design of Sense 3.0, so it is puzzling that it hasn’t been adapted to include a purpose built area for gathering all 3D games. it wouldn’t have been hard to add an extra feature like that.
Once you turn on the handset there’s nothing to point you directly to the 3D aspects or content. This adds to the feeling that HTC has simply grafted 3D on to a 2D phone with very little thought or design involved.
there are some parts of the UI that simply would have looked stunning if they’d been in 3D too. think about the weather widget, with cloud, rain, storm or wind effects jumping out at you and shouting, "hey I’m on a 3D phone".
Shutter speed on the HTC Evo 3D
Not only do you get to watch 3D on this, or play 3D games, but you can make your own 3D clips. The equipment is there, but rather like shooting video clips on the earliest camera phones, this isn’t without its issues. some of which the Evo shares with the LG Optimus 3D, and some of which it has invented all on its own.
The handset has two 5 mega-pixel cameras. when taking static images in stereoscopic mode, this goes down to 2-megapixels. in today’s market that feels very old fashioned. And while you will get 5 mega-pixels when snapping in 2D mode, this does not compare favourably with the Sensation’s 8 megapixels.
For the best result in 3D, you need to shoot at close range. although any people or objects that are in the foreground look strangely disassociated from the background, as if they were taken on a blue screen and the background is a matt painting dropped in later. still, the initial effects of 3D on familiar scenes and people you know has a definite wow factor to it. Video is shot in 720p, in either 2D or 3D mode. you get the same novel result with moving images as well. as long as you keep the handset still, and don’t get too close to the subject.
you can’t use the zoom in 3D, and it doesn’t work that well over distances. The end result is a bit blurry. in order to view moving images taken at a distance we had to hold the camera as far away from us as possible. This is less than ideal. a general failing of 3D technology at this level, for now, is that it has to be viewed straight. You’ll need a steady hand or a handy, level surface to put the camera on.
even if we overlook the complaints we’ve raised about the handset’s 3D performance, we still can’t figure out a place for the Evo. What would you actually use the 3D for on a screen this tiny? there is simply nothing about it that say 3D is anything other than a gimmick, rather than a technical breakthrough. And on top of it all, you can’t even share your 3D images and clips around as so few people have 3D technology.
One of the most popular uses of phone camera technology is to take a quick shot and then upload it to a Facebook page. And sure you can do this with your 3D images. But without a 3D screen, all anyone is going to see is the sort of flat, poor quality image you get on a £20 phone. The only people who are going to realise you’ve actually got a £500 top of the range phone are those who you regale with the clips on your phone. Maybe down the pub.
then there’s the YouTube 3D channel. you can stick your clips there for other 3D enthusiasts to watch. plus, if your friends have those red and green 3D glasses, they can watch them too even if they don’t have a 3D monitor, TV or phone. you might have to buy them all a pair though.
The next thing to consider is 3D itself. Sure there’s that great wow factor when you first look at the clips, and your friends and family will feel the same way. to start with. But without that novelty value, you’ll quickly remember how rubbish 3D is to watch on a little screen. to put it simply, your eyes hurt. And the visual cortex in your brain isn’t that thrilled about it either. You’re then left with a problem. you have tiny little, comparatively low res, 3D video clips and still images that no one really wants to watch. or to put it another way, compare a huge 3D blockbuster like Avatar, which is shown on a gigantic screen with surround sound, while the audience sits in comfortable seats. And a 2 megapixel clip of your dog viewed with your mates huddled around your phone.
On the 3D download
to make up for the home made stuff, at least you can download some great 3D multimedia. Except the HTC seems to make this as difficult as possible. There’s no easy way to figure out how you do this. Ideally there would be some app available, or better yet a part of the user interface, that takes you straight to the 3D stuff.
The fact that the 3D effect disappears when the screen is tilted is particularly annoying when playing games. And in comparison to the Nintendo 3DS, well there is no competition. The Evo can’t hold a candle to it when it comes to gameplay.
Connectivity on the HTC Evo 3D
We’re much happier with this handset when it comes to looking at the actual phone features. given the pricepoint of the Evo 3D it is, as you’d expect, loaded with connectivity options. There’s 14.4Mbps available through the HSDPA, and there’s also super fast A-GPS. Now, if the GPS had been in 3D we’d have seen a good reason to buy this phone. Sadly, it is only in 2D.
The 3D really sucks the life out of the batteries as well. you will need to either carry the charger around at all times or invest in a few extra batteries.
The HTC Evo 3D review verdict
One day 3D technology will improve. You’ll get it on everything that really matters and makes a difference, like sat-nav. The price will drop and it will become ubiquitous on mobile phones. right now it is so raw, and so under-used as to be pointless. Save yourself the £100 and go for the HTC Sensation instead.