I have a 160GB harddisk drive now. Although I always install new huge harddrive for others (160/250/320GB), I never used it myself because I was still using 40GB for my notebook. This is the first time I have a 160GB harddisk drive for my notebook. It is 4 times bigger than my previous harddisk capacity.

Since last week, when I switched on my notebook, it kept on restarting and I couldn’t used it until I got my new huge harddrive and reinstall everything 2 days ago. I planned to get a new harddrive and did not bother to do anything on the old harddrive, first reason is I planned to reinstall the OS and program on new harddisk, and I do not want to waste time repairing the old system files. Second reason is because that old harddrive is almost full, and I needed to do a lot of backup before I can reformat and reinstall everything. Third reason is because the old harddrive have made some clicking sound, I was lucky enough to retrive all the data. I did not dare to access the harddisc too frequently in case the data get corrupted.

Haha … Let me show you the capacity clearer.

I suddenly have no idea how should I use such a big space. I am not going to download movies because I do not have time to watch it, the downloading speed is faster then my watching speed. I also do not like to put unnecessary files on harddisk because it will mess up my files. Hmm… The only thing that I think of now is photo. Yes, I have a lot of photos. I will reload them from DVD/CD to the new harddisk. The rest of the space I will use it to store backups of my important data.

If you are familiar with computer parts, I am sure that you know that there are 2 type of harddisk, PATA (IDE) and SATA. Now SATA is taking over the place of PATA harddisk drive, SATA price is lower, and the speed is faster. Who want the PATA anymore? I want it. I need it. Because my poor old notebook is still using the PATA. I cannot find the converter. When I first searched for 2.5 inch notebook PATA (IDE) HDD 2 weeks ago, my suppliers told me that either no stock or the price was too high. I am afraid that it is the end of my notebook life. I kept on searching. Only recently they have stock coming in. I know that PATA is not going to extinct so fast but soon, and their price keep on increasing, unlike the new SATA harddisk.

Here I made a comparison:-

SATA - Faster transfer rate, Price keep on dropping, 1TG or more available.

PATA - Slower transger rate, Price keep on increasing, smaller capacity available.

If you have an old computer, I suggest that you think carefully how long you still want to stick to it or prepare to get a new computer. If you still want to use it for years, you may need to get ready the parts now just in case you cannot find the parts anymore, or the price of the parts become expensive.

RAM is a good example. New faster DDR2-Dimm 2GB costs around RM100, but the old slower PC133-SDRAM 512MB costs about RM 200. The capacity is 4 times less and slower, but the price is double. But those who still use the old computer need it. So another suggestion, if you have budget, it’s better to get new system instead of upgrading old type of system.

This is my old 40GB notebook harddisk drive. I wanted to show you my new 160GB harddisk, but I cannot wait to used it and I installed it into my notebook right after I brought it home. :p I am not going to say bye bye to this harddisk yet, I connect it using an external USB connector. Haha… it funtions as a 40GB flash disk. I have a big flash disk now.

Another tips for you if you plan to buy computer. Never buy a secondhand old computers which cost hundreds. They are not upgradeable, or their parts may be expensive. The old computers usually have no warranty too. If you can double or tripple your budget, you actually get 8 times, 10 times bigger capacity, faster or more benefit. Some new part now is offering life time warranty.

When I talk about IT, I can have a lot of thing to share with you, but I have to stop it here. This blog is talking about nature, but I do not think it is out of topic, because computers have merged into our life and we may not be able to deny that it is not part of the nature. :p

Have you ever thought about how many days have you been staying on this world since you were born? I have found a quick way to calculate it using Microsoft Excel.

As the example above, if you were born on 8/8/2008, You are 74 days old today, and on Chrismas day of the year 2035, you will be 10000 days old.

Here is the trick:-
0.  Open a new excel files.
1. Enter your birth date (in cell B1).
2. Enter today date (in cell B2).
3. The answer for the number of days until today since you were born is =B2-B1.
4. The answer for the date of your 10000th day birthday is =B1+10000.
5. [for B3] After doing the plus and minus operation on date, excel may display number in date format because the answer is not formatted properly. Therefore, the next step would be formatting the cell B3. Change the cell format from date to number.

It is very simple and easy if you have the basic skill on Microsoft Excel.

I have a feeling when I look at my age in the unit of days. I have only been living in this world for 10700+ days. If I have a long life and can reach 100 years old, it would be only 36500+ days. I feel that life is short.

I should not waste anymore time, and should work harder to pursuit my happyness.

Recently, I have been working on network cables.  These are the tools that I use.  On the left, it is a tester.  The orange colour punch tool is used to connect the cable to the jack.  The green colour tool is called crimper that is used to connect the RJ45 plug to the cable.

Network cable and the jack.

After the network cable is punch down into the jack, it looks like this.  This is not a difficult job, but concentration is important, because the colour code must be followed exactly.  Each network cable has 4 pairs of copper wires which means there are 8 wires:
1. Blue
2. Blue + White
3. Green
4. Green + White
5. Orange
6. Orang+ White
7. Brown
8. Brown + White

While I was doing the termination, I check it at least twice before I punch the wire down.  My mind is full with colour code.   Blue, White Blue, Brown, White Orange… …  :p

Usually you can find the network jack on the wall, where it allows you to connect your computer to the wall jack using a network cable.  Have you ever seen and have a close look at it?  I am the the person who make it work behind the scene by connecting it from one point to another point such as to the server.

Next, this is a RJ45 plug on a network cable.  With the tools, I can make any length of network cable.  However, if the wire is not crimped properly into the plug (for example wrong colour code or wire not inserted properly), the network will fail.  That’s why I need a tester to confirm that each cable is working properly.

This is a new type of RJ45 plug where the wires are aligned in upper and lower rows.  It is more challenging to crimp compared to the old type.

I have cut the cable where it was too long, I used it for… … 

Hmm…  It’s time to relax my mind by creating some artistic things with the wires.  Does it look better than the messed up cable? :p