GeekwithEnvy

Computers

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Step Down

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Steve Ballmer

Steve Ballmer (57) has announced that he will be stepping down as CEO of Microsoft within the next twelve months. Steve Ballmer has been CEO of Microsoft since 2000, he filled the position after Bill Gates stepped down.

Although Microsoft has remained quite strong under Ballmer it seems that lately the software giant has been struggling with it’s identity. This change up could shake things up enough to push the company forward towards future innovation and hopefully we will see some strong results.

“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,” Ballmer said. “We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”

Steve has always been extremely passionate about Microsoft, as is evident in many of his early promotional videos and appearances for the company. I highly recommend you check out this video.

 

How To Boot to the Desktop in Windows 8.1

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Windows8DesktopBoot

The new Windows 8 Start screen is great but it’s not for everyone and having to click to get to the desktop just a waste of time if you never use it. Thankfully, there is a way to get past this and it’s built right into Windows 8.1. Yes, there are no secret codes, buttons or hacks necessary to accomplish this.

Just follow these steps:

  • Boot up your computer and click the “Desktop Tile” to enter “Desktop Mode”
  • Right-Click on the “Task Bar”
  • Select “Properties”
  • Select the “Navigation Tab”
  • Place a check in the checkbox next to “Go to the desktop instead of Start when I sign in”
  • Click “OK”

That’s it, it really is that simple. Next time you reboot your computer it will take you right to the desktop, no questions asked.

Don’t have the Windows 8.1 Preview and you want to try it out? Microsoft has you covered on their Windows 8.1 Preview page.

 

 

Cubemen 2 on the Way to Wii U

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An outstanding indie-game, Cubemen 2, is going to be making it’s way to the Wii U. The game is already available for PC, Linux, Mac and iOS and has be very successful. You can battle against up to six (6) others, regardless of platform, or against the AI in a RTS style action game that includes many modes like capture the flag and skirmish.

The game boasts over 4000 user created levels that you can download and play or even create your own. In Cubemen 2 you can also personalize your units the way you want for a truly customized experience. This will be a great addition to the Wii U which is a solid piece of hardware in need of great software titles like this.

“I’m really proud to be able to announce this,” said Nic Watt, Creative Director at Nnooo. “We’ve spent the last few months working with both Nintendo and 3 Sprockets, the game’s developer, to make this a reality. Cubemen 2 is an amazing game and a great fit for Nintendo players. We can’t wait to see how creative they are, whether in tactical multiplayer online or in the new levels they build.”

Cubemen 2 is expected to be released late 2013 / early 2014 as a downloadable title on the Wii U in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Price to be announced.

Cubemen2SS

How To Update Mac OS 9 to 9.2.2

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Okay, this may sound simple enough but if you don’t have the updates on disc somewhere then it can be next to impossible to find the update files for Mac OS 9. Part of the reason it’s so hard to find updates to OS 9 is the fact that Apple has basically dropped all support for the OS. However, the aging OS is still used by many enthusiasts and vintage computer users around the world and if you need to do a clean install you’re going to want the updates. Everything is still out there, you just need to know where to look.FinderLogo

First, let me get you up-to-speed on some of the work you will need to do once you obtain the update files. These steps will help if you have a newer Mac or a Mac with OSX installed and will make the process much easier. Please stick around for the final steps or you might not get things to work.

  •  Step one, get the files!  You can obtain most of the older updates through this link.
  • The updates you will need are 9.1, 9.2.1 and 9.2.2. The first two are prerequisites and will need to be downloaded and installed before continuing.

Once you have downloaded each update folder, you need to prep them before you can use them on your older Mac. This guide assumes you are doing the prep work on a newer version of OS X. Here is what you need to do:

  • For Update 9.1, open the folder, you should see 15 (.bin) files, select them all. Next, Control click or right-click on a (.bin) file in the selection and choose “open”. This will open all of the (.bin) files. Now sort the files in the folder by “kind” and you should see all of the extracted files separated from the original (.bin) files. Now, take all of the extracted (.part) files and the single (.smi) file and burn them to a disc (CD-R*). You will now be able to load this disc into your older mac and proceed with the update by opening the (.smi) file and then launching the installer.
  • For Update 9.2.1, extract the file from the (.bin). Next, the process is a little different from the 9.1 update. You can try to load the single (.smi) by burning it to a disc and then mounting it on the older Mac, but I found that this doesn’t always work. I find it’s better to convert the (.smi) to a (.dmg), mount it, then burn the files contained within the image to a disc.
  • To convert the (.smi) to a (.dmg) on your OSX machine, Open, Disk Utility, then click in the white space in the box to the left so you are not selecting any mounted disks. Next, click Convert. Find the 9.2.1 (.smi) file and click Convert. Choose read-only with no encryption and then choose a save location. Click Save. You will be prompted to use (.dmg) instead of (.smi), click “Use (.dmg)”.
  • Now you can open the new (.dmg) file and burn all of the files to a CD-R. For Update 9.2.2 use the same process as 9.2.1.

** Please note that attempting to use a USB stick to update instead of a CD-R will likely result in failure. Mac OS 9 doesn’t seem to recognize the files correctly when loaded on to a flash drive. Your best bet is to burn the files to a CD-R.  Also, remember that many older Macs that run OS 9 do not have DVD drives, so don’t forget to use a CD-R for those machines.  A CD-RW may also be suitable.

How To Straighten Bent Pins on a CPU

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Computer processor (CPU)

So you’ve somehow managed to bend the pins on your CPU, don’t freak out! There are few things you can do to try to fix this.

Yes, in my early days of tinkering and building my own PCs I did end up bending a pin or two. Hopefully, once you’ve done it you’ll learn to never do it again.

  • The first thing you want to do is get a credit card, not to buy a new CPU of course, but to help you straighten out the pins on the chip. A gift card, drivers license or similar sized card may work as well.
  • Make sure the card slides between the pins easily but still comes in contact with the pins. You don’t want it to be too thin or it won’t straighten out the pins.
  • Slide the card through the rows of pins that are affected from both top to bottom and side to side. This will ensure that the pins are straightened from every side.
  • Once your sure everything looks good, carefully attempt place the CPU into the socket. Don’t force it into place or you will likely bend more pins! If you have any trouble, take out the CPU and re-align your pins.
  • If the pins are are in really bad shape you can use an empty mechanical pencil tip to place over the pin and stand it upright.

That’s all you should need to do!

*It’s important to note that after several attempts the pins can break and no one wants that, so make sure you do your best to align them in the first few attempts.