Last Saturday, my car broke down again and it happened while I was on my way back to Tampin to service my car after 5000km. On top of that, it had to break down right in the middle of nowhere. I was smacked right in between some Malay villages where their main transportation is the motorcycle.

Long story cut short, there are still kind hearted and good people out there. They offered to jump start my car, fetch me to the nearest village to find a mechanic, call another mechanic, fix my car temporarily and let me go without paying because I only had RM10 in my wallet at that moment.

I am truly grateful that these Malay villagers were kind enough to help a stranger at that moment.

Immediately, I went to the workshop when I reached Tampin and the mechanics suspected that it could be caused by the wiring as most of the wires were either burnt, torn or short circuited. It isn’t my fault for not maintaining the car or knowing what’s the cause because I am not a mechanic and the car is 17 years old, its not going to work like a brand new car.

Exotic cars for sale, anyone? Kidding. It should be an antique actually. -lol-

The next day, which was yesterday, I dropped my camera from 4 feet high and sprained my neck. which I didn’t even know how I sprained it.

Sighs.

It was Gabriel’s birthday and despite everyone in the midst of rushing their final year projects, thesis and assignments, we gathered together to celebrate his birthday at Delifrance, a newly opened cafe at Dataran Pahlawan. Prior before this, I bought a RM20 worth of “Buy 1 Free 1″ coupons and hence, we headed out to try out the cafe and ate our hearts out. The gang members are Gabriel, Jeremy, Alexander, Vincent, Raymond, Chi Ho, Jerry and yours truly.

Gabriel has been using his Nokia 3315 for the past 4 years and was the last person among us to use a colour screen mobile phone. It was his birthday and there was no better time than this to change his mobile phone. Before we went to Delifrance, Gabriel went to buy his “toy”. He had laid his eyes on Motorola ROKR E2, which looked very similar to his Nokia 3315, and in no time, he paid RM600 for it. I don’t know why he opted for Motorola, but beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

Put your hands together and welcome Gabriel to the world of colour screen hand phones!

In no time, we were at the entrance of Delifrance, making it ourself comfortable with the sofa seats. Looking through the menu, apart from selling breads, they do serve complete meals which includes starters, pastas, salads, pies, pizzas, main course, desserts, hot and cold drinks and many more. The prices are in between the range of RM11.90 and RM22.90, very reasonable and affordable for a small town like Malacca. Since we had “Buy 1 Free 1″ coupons, all I did was ordered 2 of each dishes that looked promising so that we could try most of the food and enough to share among ourselves.

First to come was the spaghetti with meatballs. You can’t go wrong with spaghetti and true enough, they did it fairly good. The sauce was good, with chunks of meats in it with no too sour or sweet tomato based sauce. The meatballs were just another commercialized meatballs that you can buy from the frozen department. However, it tasted quite good despite being a little hard and not juicy enough. The garlic bread was crispy and went well with the sauce.

Lamb stew was next and this was quite good too, although our first visit tasted much better. I think they slightly overcooked it, hence, the chewy and rubbery texture on the meat. It came with a serving of salad (Kind of pathetic, I would say.) and 2 scoops of mashed potatoes. I love their mashed potatoes, a lot. The lamb was covered flooded with yummy-licious mushroom sauce and the plate was dried up by the time we finished our stew.

We had lamb shank too! Soft, tender and succulent meat, flooded in a pool of I-don’t-know-what-sauce sauce. Again, our lamb shank during our first visit tasted better too. How good was the lamb shank? Just look at Raymond and the answer is clearly showed to you. However, I feel that something is missing from this dish, especially the sauce. Maybe they need more ingredients for garnishing and flavouring purposes.

The beef brisket tasted weird for my liking. It’s basically a big piece of beef meat (I have no idea which part.), served in a sweet, sour and spicy sauce. It tasted really weird because of the combination of all three flavours. The meat was good though, but definitely not the sauce. I don’t recommend this unless you really want to try and have a niche for weird flavours.

Before that, I ordered some bread as our starters. However, it arrived when we finished our main course. It’s basically toasted bread with three different toppings, mainly the prawns, tunas and vegetables. These people took advantage of me, snapped up all the yummy toppings, leaving me behind with the vegetables only. This is so unfair! -roars- However, I had the free of charge dessert all to myself. It’s basically croissant topped with vanilla ice cream and a little bit of chocolate syrup.

The bill came up to RM190, with a total of 10 dishes and 8 glasses of iced peach tea. Gabriel forked out RM100 to sponsor the meal while the balance was divided among the 7 of us, which was about RM14 for the dinner. I guess the bill would have gone to RM250 if not because of the “Buy 1 Free 1″ coupons.

Of course, its impossible that we don’t do stupid things when we are hanging together.

Finally, a group photo of the “Rumah Bahagia” members, except Sanjev who has gone to India.

Happy birthday, Gabriel.

I was supposed to update my blog tonight but I just managed to lay my hands on a copy of original Windows Vista and I am in the process of installing it. Hence, all updates will be suspended until my notebook is up and running.

Update at 0120 : Installing Windows Vista.
Update at 0200 : Windows Vista installed.
Update at 0215 : Troubleshooting LAN and internet connection with Raymond.
Update at 0250 : Connected.
Update at 0323 : Installed Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger.
Update at 0400 : Installed Microsoft Office.
Update at 0430 : Configured all the major and minor details of my programs.
Update at 0500 : Minor troubleshooting with Raymond.
Update at 0520 : Transferring files.
Update at 0730 : Transferring files and off to bed.
Update at 1400 : Transferring files.
Update at 1600 : Installed required softwares.
Update at 1630 : Troubleshooting video and audio codecs.
Update at 2000 : Done!

With the help of Jasmine, I placed an order for a HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC DV2201tx (I named it D22!) on March 26 at the price of RM3,799, which was after a whopping RM1,200 discount from the actual price of RM4,999. For any models with the same specifications, the price will linger around RM4,500 to RM5,000. Hence, I would say, it’s a good bargain. Again, thanks Jasmine! Who needs PC Fair when we have Jasmine.

The notebook arrived at my door step on April 6, which was surprisingly fast considering that the salesperson told me that I would only get my notebook on April 18, 2 to 3 weeks from the date or order. Kudos for the speedy delivery. Egghead received his notebook 2 to 3 weeks later though, because he bought it during Christmas and New Year (holiday season).

The first thing I did when I got hold of my notebook (with the wrapper still intact) was to visit the computer shop to upgrade my RAM to 2GB. The default system came with 2 * 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 667Mhz and because I am running on Windows Vista Premium, I forked out another RM434 to change it to 2 * 1GB (2GB) so that I can run the operating system at a smooth speed and performance. On the other hand, I am still finding a buyer for my RAMs. Any takers?

As usual, the notebook came with its corresponding pamphlets, instruction booklets, a 6-cells lithium ion battery, adapter, plugs, a HP remote control and a Targus-inspired (Read : Targus-inspired, not Targus.) HP notebook bag. Inside the package was a small piece of cloth for you to wipe the surface of the notebook without scratching it.

The notebook cover / lid is a piano black polished surface, which gives the notebook a very classic and elegant look. Upon closer look, there are spiral lines on the surface. Due to its polished surface, you can see the reflection of objects on the cover. Black, is certainly the more preferable colour compared to the dull and plain silver colour, which most of the notebooks opted for. There’s a layer of protective plastic layer on the lid, which I am very tempted to peel off to reveal the oh-so-shinning-black surface.

The lid doesn’t have a lock mechanism like what most notebooks have. In other words, you don’t have to press any button to “unlock” the notebook to open the lid. All you need to do is just flip it open or press it to close. At certain angle, the lid will close on its own. It’s a spring mechanism, like you always see on auto closed doors. I am not sure whether you get what am I trying to say, but I like the concept that HP opted for.

On the left side, you have a security cable slot, S-video out jack, external monitor port, expansion port 3, RJ-45 (network) jack, USB port, 1394 port, 5-in-1 digital media slot reader and ExpressCard slot.

On the right side, you have the optical drive (LightScribe super multi 8X DVD-RW with double layer support), two USB ports, RJ-11 (modem) port and power connector.

On the front, you have the power light, battery light, drive light, wireless switch (Bluetooth and wireless LAN), consumer infrared lens, microphone jack and headphone jacks.

Opening up the lid and the first thing to catch my eyes was none other than the LCD screen. The colours are nothing but spectacular, especially with the BrightView technology, I basically can view my LCD from most of the angles. Resolution of 1280 * 800 means its a wide screen, which is the trend of most desktops’ and notebooks’ LCD monitors. On top of that, since I have my 15″ LCD monitor which I bought almost 4 years ago, I am trying my best to make it into a dual LCD display workstation for myself. Wicked, isn’t it?

On the front panel, you have the power button, media button, DVD button, media button controls, internal microphone, camera light, 1.3 megapixel web cam, volume mute button, volume scroll button and a two-button touch pad. The Altec Lansing speakers are sitting above the 101-keys compatible keyboard (not at the palm rest). Hence, not obstructing the sound output. Sound produced by the notebook speakers are crisp and clear, which is also rather loud for a notebook. Keys are soft are quite responsive for the mean time. Not sure about after wear and tear.

DV22 comes with a HP remote control, which you can power it up (not sure about offing it though), play, pause, stop, fast forward, rewind, mute, volume up, volume down and play DVDs. The remote control is very thin, just 1 or 2mm thicker than your SD card. There’s a slot for you to safe keep the remote control too!

Weighing at only 2.45kg, its relatively light. With such configuration, I got to say, it’s really a bargain. Not to mention, the design appeals to me.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600 (1.83Ghz)
120GB (5400 RPM) Hard Drive
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMM)
nVidia GeForce Go 7200 with 128MB DDR Dedicated Graphics Memory
14.1″ WXGA High Definition BrightView Wide Screen Display (1280 * 800)
1.3 Megapixel Web Cam
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD-RW with Double Layer Support
Intel Pro Wireless 3945a/b/g 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN and Bluetooth
5-in-1 Digital Media Reader
ExpressCard/54 PC Card Slot
Expansion Port 3
6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Windows Vista Home Premium
HP Mobile Remote Control

However, there’s a really huge mistake that HP and Compaq made in their package. Any PCs under Compaq and / or HP don’t come with their’s bundled essential CDs like the driver CDs and the operating system CDs. You read it all right, no CDs at all. As written in their pamphlets, restore your system without CDs.

In other words, the recovery CDs are residing inside your hard disk, taking up at least 9GB or up to 20GB, depending on your system configuration. If you ever need to reinstall your operating system or your drivers for your hardwares or restore your PCs to the original factory settings, you will be booting up from your hard disk with the help of HP’s Recovery Manager software. Although you have the option of backing up the recovery partition into DVDs, in my opinion, the idea of booting up and recovering your system from a hard disk isn’t a good idea at all and also has limited the things that a user can do.

First of all, the default or factory settings has only 2 partitions, mainly the C: and D: where C: is your data and operating system while D: is for the recovery partition. Assuming all PCs come in 120GB hard disk, who in the right mind will set a full 110GB into just 1 partition, leaving the remaining 10GB for the recovery partition? Why can’t there be a combination of 40GB - 40GB - 30GB or any other possible combination of partitions?

Disadvantages of using only 1 partition :

1) If C:\ is infected with virus and / or corrupted, all the data, files, MP3s, movies and documents are in the risk of being infected and / or corrupted, which is so not cool.

2) If a user wants to do a full format, how does one going to do so without erasing his / her data at the same? If the hard disk is partitioned into various partitions like C: for system, D: for musics, E: for pictures and etc., one can do a full format on C: only yet leaving the data out. Wouldn’t that be nicer, better and easier?

Note : Partition Magic 8.0 doesn’t work on Windows Vista.

Out of 100 users, how many PC users will create a Recovery CD upon their first booting of their new PCs? I did mine on the first boot though. Considering the laziness and procrastination factors in most Malaysian users, I would say, not many. By then, if anything happens to the recovery partition or the hard disk, what are they going to do? Where and how are they going to boot and reinstall their operating system?

CDs or DVDs? Didn’t I say they didn’t make a Recovery CD at that time? Are you going to charge us at an incredibly expensive price just to get the Recovery CDs from you guys at that time? If the end users are shunned away by your hefty price tag to get the Recovery CDs, we are going to turn into pirated operating system, which will only cost us less than RM5 / USD1.56. So much for using original software. I certainly encourage people to use original software but if condition doesn’t allow, there’s no choice but to opt for the pirated version.

The user or in my case, I, cannot reinstall a clean Windows Vista without installing the bundled HP softwares, which I find it not useful at all. In other words, I don’t have the full control of installing the programs that I need or want. Come on, every one knows that the bundled softwares are either trial, useless, eat up space, take up more memory, running in the background yet doing nothing, clogging the desktop and menu bars and etc. It may be helpful for newbies or n00bs, but definitely not for advanced or experienced users like me. All I need from you, the manufacturer, is just the drivers and relevant / must installed softwares, not every software you created.

I paid for the Windows Vista OEM license. Hence, shouldn’t I be entitled to at least a Windows Vista OEM installation DVD? I paid a hefty price of RM395 (Price obtained from LiewCF.) for the license and yet, I don’t get my own CD-key. This doesn’t sound really right.

Due to the reasons above, I am actually considering of forking out another RM3xx to buy an original Windows Vista Home Premium from Microsoft, enlisting the help of Joan a.k.a Food Lover again. I know it sounds stupid since I have paid a copy of the Windows Vista Home Premium residing inside my notebook, but, I really don’t have much choice.

HP, your idea of backing up from hard disk / CD-less may be innovative or hustle free, but it doesn’t bring any good to the end users. How does the inclusion of 7 to 8 CDs or 2 DVDs or 1 dual layered DVD in every system is going to decrease your profit by 5% and / or increase your production cost by 5%?

Seriously, give us me back my driver CD and Windows Vista installation DVD. And also my CD-key.

I am not a hardcore PC user or even know how to put a stress test to my notebook as requested by Tien Soon, but, as I briefly used the notebook during the first 3 hours, running Windows Vista Home Premium on my notebook was smooth. As for a review on Windows Vista, I am not qualified at all to write one. Hence, I will just do a print screen of everything once I got my notebook fully setup-ed.

I am always a Dell fan because of its excellent products’ quality and after sales service (At least, that was what I had experienced with my desktop and notebook.). However, with such a bargain from HP, I couldn’t resist it but to put my faith and money on HP.

Every brand of notebooks will have their own problems (HP’s QuickPlay software created a havoc for Egghead.) and the end users are always the main and biggest factor. Hence, it really boils down to how the user take care of the notebook and the manufacturers’ quality control.

Nonetheless, HP is worth considering.

Call HP today at 1800-88-4889 on weekdays from 8.30AM until 5.30PM.

w00t?! w00t?! -lol- Who knows who will be reading this post right? -coughs-

P/S : The notebook is still lying untouched at the table outside my room. I’m still using my stage 4 terminally ill desktop.

First, million thanks to Jasmine of http://jazzmint.net/blog/ for the wonderful job she did in buying it for me. Thank you, Jasmine!

Everyone, please welcome the latest member of the Jason’s gadgets family - HP Pavilion Entertainment Notebook PC dv2201tx, code named dv22.

Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T5600 (1.83Ghz)
120GB (5400 RPM) Hard Drive
1024MB DDR2 SDRAM (2 DIMM)
nVidia GeForce Go 7200 with 128MB DDR Dedicated Graphics Memory
14.1″ WXGA High Definition BrightView Wide Screen Display (1280 * 800)
1.3 Megapixel Web Cam
LightScribe Super Multi 8X DVD-RW with Double Layer Support
Intel Pro Wireless 3945a/b/g 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN and Bluetooth
5-in-1 Digital Media Reader
ExpressCard/54 PC Card Slot
Expansion Port 3
6-Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Windows Vista Home Premium
HP Mobile Remote Control

An obligatory introduction post on dv22 will be written after I got the notebook fully setup, configured, files transfered and etc., in other words, usable. It will take a week or so.

Never feel so good and proud of myself before.