Install Linux to USB from Windows (actual install, not just live Linux)

If you're looking to install Linux to a USB key from within Windows, and not just to create a Linux Live USB key, then this will be of interest to you.

I started with a laptop with Windows 8, no CD drive, and 1 blank USB disk on key. I wanted to install Linux to the USB key. I wanted that USB key to be bootable.

1. Download and install Oracle Virtual Box.

2. Download ISO of Linux version that you want to install.

3. Create raw vmdk that points to USB:

Go to Virtual Box installation folder in an administrative command prompt:

VBoxManage.exe internalcommands createrawvmdk -filename "c:\Users\<Username>\VirtualBox VMs\USB.vmdk" -rawdisk \\.\PhysicalDriveX

The PhysicalDrive # comes from the disk #. To find the appropriate value go to Disk Management and find what disk is the USB key. For example Disk 2 maps to \\.\PhysicalDrive2, Disk 3 would be \\.\PhysicalDrive3.

4. Load Virtual Box as an administrator. Create new VM. I chose Debian as that was the distribution I was installing. Do not allocate a new virtual disk. Instead select "Choose existing". Choose the vmdk file you created above.

Now you have a virtual machine that uses your USB key as it's hard disk.

5. Run the installation through Virtual Box. Make sure your USB key is not being used. Close all windows to it. Be prepared to lose any data that is on it, as this process WILL format the USB key.

If you finish the installation, you should now be able to use the same USB key to boot your system with. That's what I did. It's a great way to get Linux installed to USB without needing a CD or CD ROM drive (or an extra USB key for the installation).

I can now boot my laptop on from USB. The nice thing is that while I was debugging wireless I would sometimes want to add packages. I could reboot into Windows and download packages from there on the USB key. I then reboot back to a non-vm run and I can then debug and attempt to get wireless working. Not only is wireless working now, but the desktop environment I installed (XFCE) from the non-vm boot is actually working fine when loaded within Virtual Box.

Nachum

x220t Windows 8 Camera upside down

I have had Windows 8 installed for a while and the only thing that never seemed to work right has been the camera. It has been upside down. I searched for all sorts of drivers, registry modifications, and anything I could find. I couldn't get the camera to flip right side up. To the point -> I got it right side up!

Short of all of it is that if Windows 7 settings indicates to flip the camera, then Windows 8 doesn't flip it back. Seems like the camera stores internally whether to flip its output. Once that option is set, Windows 8 drivers don't yet have the option to change them back. Go into Windows 7 and flip the camera back. That'll solve the problem.

x220t Windows 8

I spent the last couple days installing Windows 8 on my x220t tablet convertible and a new SSD CT128M4SSD3.

Here are some hitches and solutions:
1. Won't install to SSD. Keeps saying that Windows can't be installed to this partition or something like that. Using Shift-F10, you can get to the command prompt. Using DiskPart you can play with this disk. I physicall removed my HDD first as to not risk affecting my Windows 7 partition and data. In the end, I finally got it working by converting the SSD to GPT, and NOT doing anything else. Once the disk was marked as GPT, all went well.

2. Windows Update installs updates and then reverts them saying they failed to install. Update the Conexant audio driver first (through Windows Update). That fixes the rest of the updates so they all update smoothly.

3. From my experience, do NOT install Wacom driver from Wacom. It makes the accuracy of the touch screen go way down. Not sure why. After I uninstalled Wacom's generic Tablet PC driver, touch got more accurate.

4. Camera stays upside down, haven't yet figured out how to fix that. The Lenovo Integrated Camera Driver for Windows 7 doesn't work on Windows 8 (Ricoh Bison). Even though it looks like it's installed, it won't show up in the camera app or skype.

5. Microphone doesn't work. Disable the mic's Audio Enhancements option through the sound applet in the control panel.

6. Auto rotate doesn't work. Install Windows 7 version of Tablet Shortcut Menu. Go to location of Tablet Shortcut Menu link, and set compatibility mode to "Run as Administrator". It only opens from the desktop mode of Windows 8, will not open from the Start screen. Once in the tablet utility, choose settings. Then check the Auto Rotate checkbox.

Feel free to leave additional tips in the comments section.
Nachum

Windows 8 install experience

I just upgraded my desktop computer with a new Z77 motherboard and i7 core. Intel has decided not to support Vista x64 for the Z77 chipset. This makes a lot of things not work properly. So I went ahead and purchased the Windows 8 upgrade.

On Windows Vista x64, Windows 8 allowed me to create USB media. So I created a USB Windows 8 install key.

Windows 8 "Keep Nothing" option did not delete my files. Keep Nothing refers to what is upgraded and available as installed and usable programs. It also refers to not bringing over favorites, contacts, settings, documents, etc into the new Windows 8 installation. Files in the root of your hard drive will not be moved so long as they don't conflict with Windows' installation folders. Windows installation folders will be moved to Windows.old or Windows.old.0000 if Windows.old exists, and so on.

This is identical to what happens when you install Windows Vista, or Windows 7 on a hard drive without formatting it.

That was my first big worry, as I could find no information indicating what Keep Nothing did with other files and directories in the root of the hard drive. I ended up backing up hundreds of gigs of data to make sure it wasn't lost. After I installed Windows 8 and verified it's behavior, I then reran the install from the USB key while formatting my hard drive. Now I let Windows 8 re-partition the drive.

Windows 8 creates multiple partitions. I am not sure why. But the advantage for me was to finally convert over to GPT. I couldn't do that without re-partitioning.

So far, I am not as dissatisfied as I expected to be. I really thought this would be horrible. As I haven't yet done heavy development on this system, I can't say for sure how the Windows 8 behavior will affect me. We'll see that soon enough.

Windows 8 did freeze on me once. Right after cleanly installing Windows 8, I poked around, and I found the "PC Settings" menu, and chose to run Windows Update from within that menu. That just got stuck. 0% downloaded, and then no response to anything except mouse movement. Couldn't get out of it, couldn't ctrl-alt-del, couldn't do anything.
Even after reboot, I couldn't get the updates to install, but this time I went to the Control Panel, and clicked Windows Update. It just wouldn't download anything.
I got around that by installing all of the updates on this page:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35670
relating to KB2770917.
I picked this update to install manually as it appeared to be the most comprehensive of the updates that Windows was itching to install.

After all of these updates were installed, Windows Update started working.

My installations have so far been working. Hopefully I can continue PCI Express development on this system soon.

Unlock iPhone

Since my AT&T contract expired almost a year ago, I have always been looking for ways to unlock my 04.11.08 baseband. Here's what I've found out. AT&T has been unlocking out of contract iPhones since April 8 2012! I can't believe how long it took for me to find out!

If you are out of contract (2 years or paid Early Termination Fee), then call AT&T and ask them to unlock your iPhone. You will need to be fully paid up (no outstanding debts to AT&T). At that point they will put your iPhone on the unlock list.

Finally I can take my iPhone out of the country or use T-Mobile if I like.

"The Coming Revolution" by Zamir Cohen - Good Laugh

I just received a new book as a gift from my mother. It is a 'scientific' look into how the Bible and Judasim was correct all along. It is written by Zamir Cohen, a prolific writer and Rabbi from Israel.

I started reading this book last night, and I can say that after finishing a couple of chapters I am confident in my analysis of the whole book.

A chapter begins with an incorrect scientific assumption that was prevalent anywhere from a few years ago to a few thousand years ago. This incorrect scientific assumption is then later revealed to be false. The logic from bad science to newly proven good science is backed up with a lot of scientific proof from many different sources in astronomy, chemistry, physics, and many other fields.

Zamir now pulls out a series of quotes from the complete range of Jewish learning, and uses these quotes to prove that Judaism knew the previously stated science, and must have known that from the Jewish God.

At first glance this seems to be really clear proof of how the Jewish God handed over many of the secrets of the world to the Jews, and this proves how Judaism is the one true religion.

There are 2 glaring flaws in all of this. The first flaw is how Zamir ties the quotes to the science.

The first chapter is about the big bang theory. Zamir describes a world where everyone, since the beginning of man's existence, believes that the world had always existed in a steady state. He implies that the Jews were the only group of people to believe that the world didn't always exist as it is today. He then goes on to describe the scientific steps which show a preponderance of proof for a moment of creation (ie the big bang). Now he goes back and shows how the Jews had known this all along.

The scientific community begins to believe in the big bang -> God created the world!

Perhaps this is a bit of a stretch?

The second flaw relates to the astronomical amount of Rabbinical quotes, relating to all areas of life, in the complete range of Jewish learning. The quotes that Zamir chooses are only the ones he can manage to thinly tie to some form of science. Jewish leaders and Rabbis since Judaism began have been passing on knowledge to their students. They would spend their days teaching these students, and much of what they said has been written and passed down. It would be highly unlikely if all of their quotes would be wrong (even the quotes that relate to science). It is much more likely that a few of the things stated would prove to be correct.

Let's take a room full of the insane and write down everything they say. In 10 years, let's see if, of the thousands of jabberings of gibberish, any of them are true. If any of them are true, then I'm converting to Insanism. Clearly they have a window into the truth of the world!

Let's have Zamir Cohen write a book about all of the quotes from even a single book of ancient Jewish learning, and scientifically prove everything in that book. Now that would be a mind-blowing read.

Unlimited voice, text, and a ton of data for less

I have been an AT&T customer since I got my first iPhone late in 2009. I have been paying a $100+ bill every month. I like having unlimited talk (and not just mobile to mobile).

Sadly, my iPhone is locked and jailed. But I still searched for ways to lower my bill.
Go here: http://goredpocket.com

I now have a prepaid account with auto-refill every month. The cost is $60. No additional fees. I have unlimited talk, text, and 2 GB of data. This is half the price of what I used to pay.

NOTE: Auto refill didn't work the first time for me. That wass sad, but I was out phone service for one morning until I noticed and re-ordered. Beware the auto-refill! After this happened, I attempted to re-enable auto-refill one month later just at renewal time. Now 2 months have passed since auto-refill first failed, and this time around auto-refill worked properly. Hopefully it will keep working.

I have a locked iPhone that is working fine on Red Pocket as they are an AT&T MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).

Before:
Unlimited voice
200 texts
3GB data
~$120

Now:
Unlimited voice
Unlimited texts
2GB data
$60

Unbelievable. Been using Red Pocket for almost 2 months, and it is providing me the same reception as AT&T (as they are using the AT&T network).

The caveats are:
Bad customer support, takes forever to get a hold of a CSR (Customer Support Representative)
No visual voicemail (iPhone voicemail button now calls voicemail instead of displaying it)
No MMS (Group messages will still work if you disable MMS in the iPhone options)

Saving $50+ a month is worth it.

Block Instant Preview

If, like me, you hate the instant preview button in google search, then here's the solution for you:

(Instant Preview is the previewing of the website on the right side of the screen which pops up when you click or stop the cursor over the rectangular button immediately to the right of each result.)

Thanks to my friend Roie for coming up with this solution.

Install Stylish for Chrome or Firefox. Use a custom style that works on 'URLs on the domain' of 'google.com'. Set the code to:

.vspiic { background: none !important; }
.vspii { border: none !important; height: 0px !important; }

Enable the style.
That's it. You have now disabled instant previews in Google search both for http or https.

Windows 7 wrong taskbar icon

Glitches happen. When my Taskbar icon for ExceedOnDemand.exe decided to switch to the big blue question mark, I was frustrated. My desktop and Start Menu icons for starting ExceedOnDemand looked good. It was the icon that appears on the taskbar once ExceedOnDemand is open that was wrong. Instead of seeing the usual icon, I was seeing the icon that belongs to "Windows Help & Support".

I'll save you the time of trying to figure this out, and I'll just let you know that it has to do with the pinned settings of the Taskbar and the Start Menu. The folder:

C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned

contains Microsoft specific information for determining which applications are pinned to the Taskbar. This folder is the one responsible for showing the wrong icon every time I launched ExceedOnDemand.

I would suggest moving the whole folder (User Pinned) to a back up location. This will restore the proper icons and completely reset the pinned items in your Start Menu and on the Taskbar.

About: Windows 7 Taskbar Icons, Windows 7 Pinned Icons.

Nativity scene in Redwood City

Reading the newspaper last week led me to a nice adventure last night. Tapestry Church in Redwood City has built a model of Bethlehem 2011 years ago and they would be showing it for 3 days ending this past Friday night.

As a Jew, raised Orthodox, I have never been to a nativity scene. Not even a small one. As this seemed like a good time, I chose to go to this nativity scene with my girlfriend. We got there around 7, considering it was open from 6 - 9:30 we thought this to be a good time to get there. We were surprised by the length of the lines of people waiting to get in. The line went about 5 blocks. We were disappointed. We were hungry. We were cold.

After parking, and getting over there, and trying to figure out the logistics of Ann holding the line while I got her heavier coat from the car, and me holding the line while she got some food, we were suddenly distracted by a troupe of Roman soldiers coming our way. At almost the tail end of the line, we stood watching the soldiers as they looked at all of us. Then the captain of this group came over to Ann and decided she would make a good wife for one of his grunts. Naturally I went in to take her back! That was it, we were now being fast-tracked to the front of the line. We actually tried to leave the group at first so we wouldn't lose our spot! Luckily one of the soldiers explained what was happening. This was how we skipped the whole line and got into the nativity scene really quickly.

Once inside, I was surprised to see a menorah lit with 4 candles. We also saw lots of stands (old style wooden shacks) with hebrew signs. מאפייה, פירות וירקות, נגר בניין, קדר, ומיון כיתיכם. They had some 'Jews' each wearing a Tallit, and discussing or possibly teaching Torah. Of course as you moved on, you started to see less Jewish things. There were lots of animals there. All tame (I wonder how they keep them so tame...). Then of course we saw the Nativity Scene! That was a site to see.

There was a row of angels, about 15 or so all standing from end to end over a manger. And of course one lead angel on the top with wings and a very angelic outfit. Inside the manger were the usual participants. The baby would be Jesus, and the rest of them, I'm not really sure. I guess Mary and then perhaps the disciples? That was quite a sight.

I can't see myself attending many more of these, but for a one-time look, it was quite entertaining. Definitely worthwhile seeing.

x220t fingerprint reader driver update

UPDATE: Apparently Lenovo has not found it worthwhile to fix the fingerprint reader software... Still misses some of the times. On those occasions you must input your password

It looks like Lenovo has finally updated the fingerprint software. Given that the fingerprint reader was intermittent, an update is very welcome.

Technically it looks like this reader software is more reliable. This has to do with the weird way the old reader software would have to overtake the default logon screen, and the length of time it would take to be ready. This new software looks smoother and better written.

32 bit:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/thinkvantage_en/fpr_595_7038_32ww.exe

64 bit:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/thinkvantage_en/fpr_595_7038_64ww.exe
Enjoy

Issues discussed:

x220t - fingerprint reader not working / broken

More new drivers for x220t

Lenovo's new site is very frustrating!!! But here are the new drivers:

New Ricoh Multi Card Reader Driver:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8ass82ww.exe
Thinkpad Monitor INF File:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/79oi26ww.exe
Intel Wireless LAN:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/8aw212ww.exe

alternate solution to x220t microphone problem

This solves the broken microphone issue on the x220t. When it is not working, try these steps, and let me know if it solves the problem for you as it does for me. I am using the latest Conexant driver from Lenovo version 8.32.23.0.

Open the registry.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000\Settings

(If you don't have this key, then it might be different on your system. Search for "AppsUpdates" to try to locate the correct path.)

Under Plugins\Capture\LFX, rename the key {70306ef0-7851-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66} to {70306ef0-7851-11dc-8314-0800200c9a66}.old

Under OEM, rename AppsUpdates to AppsUpdates.old, Flags2 to Flags2.old, and Flags3 to Flags3.old

Reboot

The Flags2 and Flags3 keys cause AppsUpdates to be created with this value: F8 00 0C 00. This value causes some of the input and output devices to be hidden.

The Plugin that I am commenting out is related to ForteMedia.

I am guessing that the Flags2 and Flags3 options were created to be compatible with ForteMedia. I am guessing again that the device that remains is either the wrong one, or ForteMedia is causing it to crash.

Hope this enlightens someone who can actually fix the Conexant driver....

Lenovo updated drivers

Lenovo has sadly created a new website for Thinkpad updates. This site sucks.

There is a new x220t firmware 1.17, Intel AMT Engine driver, and Hotkeys integration utility. Since the site no longer lists the drivers in order, you have to manually go through the menus. What a pain.

support.lenovo.com

X-Men First Class - Great movie

Highly recommended. Did anyone else see Charles Xavier's image through the really tall wine glass? I could swear that they put Patrick Stewart's image in there... Or I could be imagining things...

BMW March 2011 iDrive Bluetooth issues

I bought a new 2011 BMW 335d back in May of 2011. The car is a superb. I love it. My only issue is with the iDrive system. There are design flaws and functionality issues. The Bluetooth system design is at the top of the list.

Scenario:
A potential client has called you as you're getting to your car. You are talking as your open the door to your new BMW. You get in, and you turn on the car. While you're talking, the iDrive system starts up. The Bluetooth module on the car kicks in and immediately grabs your call. Silence... The iDrive system hasn't yet initialized the microphone or the speakers. Seconds pass. 1.. You fumble with your phone to try and see if the call was dropped. 2.. You try to unlock the phone. 3.. Your scrambling to type your iPhone unlock code in. 5.. You see that the call has been routed to your car's Bluetooth. 6 seconds have passed and your caller has hung up just as the iDrive turns on the microphone and the speakers.

This is what would happen to me. I became trained at keeping my phone unlocked and in my hand whenever I was on the phone and starting my car. I would immediately switch the call back to my phone the moment the car would take the call.

The good news is that the BMW dealer can update the software as they did for me. There are virtually no changes other than a different look for the Bluetooth Active Call dialog, and the fix for this issue.

Glad to see that after lots of pushing and prodding, they finally did something to resolve this.

Laptop moves, everything frozen

The x220t detects movement and protects the hard drive in those situations. So why is the touch screen disabled during that time?  Fairly annoying

x220t firmware update: 1.16

Firmware version 1.16 released. Claims to fix noisy fan.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-77150

Lenovo x220t tablet sleeve (0A33883) review

I ordered the Lenovo tablet sleeve and have had it for a few days now. Tonight was the first time I took the laptop out. Here are my feelings:
The tablet handle and strap are located on the opposite side of the velcro that holds the tablet in. This is the wrong side for the handle! I am constantly worried that the laptop will fall out! Don't buy this if you are as worried as I am about a velcro piece holding the laptop in. All normal cases with a zipper open from the side of the handle and not vice-versa. I might walk by something that hooks onto the velcro and opens the case unintentionally. Argh!
The strap has a shoulder pad that is meant to go on the shoulder, except the piece doesn't reach the shoulder unless the strap is lengthened. It has to do with where the strap buckle on the adjustable strap is located in relation to the shoulder pad.

My opinion is to pass on this piece of junk. I can't tell you well useful it is as a tablet holder because I can't get past how stupid it is as a carrying case.

Getting your x220T to work

If you are having stability problems with your x220t, then perhaps this will help you:

I have found that downloading updated drivers helps to fix many of the issues.
Go here for drivers:
www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/product.do?template=/product.do?template=%2Fproductpage%2Flandingpages%2FproductPageLandingPage.vm&sitestyle=lenovo&brandind=10&familyind=595437&machineind=609389&modelind=609780&partnumberind=0&subcategoryind=0&doctypeind=9&doccategoryind=0&operatingsystemind=49979&validate=true

Install the BIOS too, but follow the directions!

I cannot use the Conexant audio driver as that kills the microphone, remove the Conexant driver if you have the same issue, the Windows standard driver works fine for now. Please post a comment if you have the same issue. I also had problems with the power button not being able to put the machine to sleep (yes I set everything correctly). The only solution I found to that was to completely uninstall power management driver, shutdown, and then reboot and reinstall the power management driver. This fixed it.

I have not had a crash or freeze since. The only problem that seems to occur is the random disappearance of the trackpad/trackpoint when resuming from sleep / tablet mode, and the inexplicable death of the fingerprint reader. Currently I have uninstalled the ultranav driver and utility. At least now I have a working trackpoint and trackpad.

It is sad that Lenovo doesn't work more on their drivers before releasing the laptop to the public.

Hope this helps you.

Issues discussed:

x220t - mics / microphone not working / broken

x220t - power button not working / broken

x220t - trackpoint / trackpad not working / broken