Many of you did not upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, but are planning to upgrade to Windows 7. How dare you leave the Microsoft upgrade path? As a punishment, you can't upgrade directly from XP to 7; you have to do what's called a clean install, which means you have to jump through some hoops to keep your old data and programs.
Not to worry, we'll show you a couple ways to deal with the pain of installing Windows 7 on your XP machine. And afterward, Microsoft will forgive you your trespasses. Maybe.
Before you start, do these three things.
1. Run the Windows 7 upgrade adviser. It will let you know if your computer can handle any version of Windows 7.
2. Check the Windows 7 compatibility center. This is different than the upgrade adviser. It will tell you if you need to update your drivers or apps to make them work in 7.
3. Make a copy of your hard drive, just in case things go horribly wrong. I recommend using Macrium Reflect; it's a free download available from Download.com.
OK, now you're ready to upgrade.
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In honor of our special guest, Micky Hoogendijk, we cover gadgets with an international flare. You might think that a show as classy as this one might not include any questionable content. You would be wrong.
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EPISODE 158
Giorgio Armani extends designer touch to new mobile
Samsung Blue Earth sees light in Sweden
http://dvice.com/archives/2009/10/lgs-pop-touchsc.php
Dolce Gusto single-cup coffee maker is a beautiful thing
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It's not too late. Grilling season is still in effect. Perhaps you've been putting it off, too intimidated by last year's grit and grime. The residue left over from a season of hot dogs and hamburgers can certainly be off-putting, but it shouldn't stand in the way of a good time. There are only so many days left in grilling season; it's time you dusted off your favorite grilling utensils and joined in on the ritual searing of meat.
Ready to grill.
(Credit: Brookstone)The Motorized Grill Cleaning Brush just might give you the needed encouragement to fire up the grill.
When set in motion, two rotating brass bristle brushes spin in opposite directions, knocking off grease grime from your grill grates. An integrated stainless-steel scraper allows for manual control when it comes to cleaning the extra tough buildup. Using four C batteries, the brush helps you to clean the grill without scrubbing or the use of chemicals--and all at the push of a button.
Of course, letting the heat of the grill loosen up baked-on grime usually works well enough, but that buildup can be a daunting foe to overcome. Grills sit unused, caked in grime all across the country. I'm sure you know a few would-be grillers who always seem to wiggle out of hosting the grill party. Come to think of it, this might be the best use for this gadget: a not-so-subtle gift to your grill-phobic friends.
Whether from Walgreens or Purell, this little item will not save you.
(Credit: Eric Franklin/CNET)I'm getting married next week, so Dong takes this opportunity to get an idea of my mood and anticipation level. I think he may actually be a little sad. You know, missed opportunities and all.
Then, Dong tells us all about jailbreaking and unlocking iPhones and why he's a stinkin' terrorist for doing so. With how-to instructions even!
Also, we announce our contest winner. Thanks to everyone who entered.
To subscribe to this podcast, visit us at our main page and click the podcast link on the right. Don't forget to leave us voice mail at 1-800-947-6399 or e-mail us at insidecnetlabs@cnet.com.
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The CleanKey keyboard.
(Credit: Devlin Electronics)A friend of mine once spilled coffee on her computer keyboard and then took it to a sink to clean that muck off with soap and water. She ended up having to get a new keyboard. Now I know what I should get her.
Devlin Electronics is offering a new keyboard that you can wash with water without harming the circuit board inside.
The surface of the keyboard is sealed to make cleaning easy.
(Credit: Delvin Electronics)Dubbed "CleanKey," the keyboard is waterproof and fully submersible, even when it's still plugged in. You can also quickly wipe the surface, which is sealed and has no crevices for dust (and bacteria) to hide, as traditional keyboards do.
Devlin Electronics designed the keyboard mostly for health care institutions and schools, where illness can spread through shared computer equipment, such as keyboards and mice. The CleanKey was inspired by numerous studies highlighting the potential health risks of computer keyboards, which are said to be frequently dirtier than the average toilet seat.
Devlin Electronics also designs computer mice that have similar attributes, allowing for quick cleanups and disinfection.
Personally, I just wonder what it's like to type on one of these keyboards. Hygiene aside, once you've put a layer of protection on, things won't feel as real as they are supposed to anymore.
The CleanKey products are only available by order and it's unclear how much they cost.
The SensorKlear Loupe magnifies and illuminates a digital SLR's sensor, and a window on the side lets it be cleaned.
(Credit: Stephen Shankland/CNET)LAS VEGAS--Camera cleaning accessory maker LensPen announced a new product to help remove dust, hairs, specks, and other detritus that sticks to digital SLR sensors.
The $59.95 SensorKlear Loupe, announced here at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show, is a magnifying glass that attaches to a camera's lens mount. Its four battery-powered LEDs illuminate the sensor, and unlike rival products such as VisibleDust's Sensor Loupe, a gap in the side allows you to clean off the sensor.
Unsurprisingly, the company recommends use of LensPen SensorKlear II to actually clean off the schmutz. The pen and loupe together cost $69.95.
Newer SLRs are equipped with a small motor that can shake the sensor or its cover to help rid it of debris, but sensors still have problems with dust flecks even when combined with new coatings not as prone to attracting flecks in the first place. Larger specks, especially when shooting with narrow apertures, can produce dark blemishes on photos.
It's neon yellow, putty-like, and looks like a toy, but Swiss-made Cyber Clean is actually a cleaning product for computers and other gadgets.
Cyber Clean squishes into a keyboard to clean debris.
(Credit: Expert Verdict)Made to squish in between keyboard keys and phone buttons, the yellow blob disinfects and picks up debris.
The Cyber Clean Web site claims keyboards harbor large amounts of germs, as well as waste that can be harmful to devices.
The site says the germ-killing goo is lemon-scented and biodegradable.
Though it's not available in U.S.stores, clean freaks (or goo lovers) can buy a one-pound pot for the equivalent of $16 on Expert Verdict.
(Via Oh Gizmo)
According to information found on popular Volkswagen enthusiast site, VW Vortex, Volkswagen of America has announced that owners of the Jetta TDI sedan and SportWagen will be eligible for a $1,300 federal income tax credit. This announcement is affirmed by the Internal Revenue Service, which has issued a certification letter that defines the credit more specifically as the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit.
(Credit:
VW of America)
Factoring in this new tax credit, the clean diesel Jetta is only about $700 more expensive than the gasoline version. While this is good news for VW, it's not like they need any help selling the Jetta TDI. With reports of hybrid-esque fuel economy, the TDI model has been predicted to sell like hotcakes despite the fact that diesel fuel is hovering at around $5 per gallon.
The 2009 VW Jetta TDI goes on sale in late August 2008.
Sucks the deep down dirt from your LPs' grooves!
(Credit: Nitty Gritty)Compared to iPods LPs are a lot of work. First you have to put the record on a turntable platter, cue the tonearm over the lead-in groove, and then gently lower the "needle" into said groove. When the record's over, you have to raise the arm and return it to the rest. If that sounds like hard labor stick with your iPod. But to audiophiles the turntable/record playing ritual is part of the analog experience, a preamble of good sounds to come.
Thing is--the stylus tracing the microscopic world of groove wiggles encounters more than just wiggles--whatever dirt and assorted crud that's adhered to the vinyl adds its own noise, clicks and pops to the music. Sure, when things are really bad you could gently wash the LPs with baby shampoo, rinse with lots of water and dry. That might help, but the deep down grime at the bottom of the groove will still be there, and still audible. The ground-in crud can dramatically increase what we perceive as "record surface noise." Record brushes can sweep some of the surface dirt off, but at the end of the day the only way to get the deep down stuff is to use special record cleaning fluid and suck it off with a vacuum. that's exactly the way record cleaning machines work--they squeeze more analog juice from used and even new records.
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Clean your hands, gadgets with lots of moist towelettes.
(Credit: Josh Lowensohn/CNET Networks)La Fresh, a company that specializes in those handy, self-contained disposable cleaning wipes, has a new product launching next week called the "Tech Pack." We got our (literally) grubby hands on the towelettes this morning and now have clean(er) glasses, hands, and electronics.
The kit comes with the standard hand and lens cleaners to clean your hands and glasses. It also throws in some dry, microfiber screen-cleaning wipes. The entire thing is bundled in a TSA-safe package you can throw in your bag or toiletry kit when you're traveling. I gave the wipes a spin on my digital camera and laptop and it made a noticeable difference, although if you've got actual solids on your screen (like latte remnants), you're better off with a wet solution.
The kit runs at about $10 and is biodegradable.
