Create USB XBMC Installation Media

Requirements:

1. Access to a Windows PC.
2. A program called "unetbootin".
3. A 2GB+ USB Drive.
4. An XBMC 10.0 Live CD image.

Warning : The contents of your USB key will be wiped.

Instructions:

Step 1: Download the XBMC 10.0 Live CD.

1. Open the following link to download the XBMC 10.0 Live CD image.
2. Save the file to your desktop.
3. Open the following link to download unetbootin.
4. Save the file to your desktop.
5. Minimise all your applications and double-click on "Computer" or "My Computer":

   

6. Make a note of the drives listed in my computer, then insert your USB drive into an available USB port. A new drive letter should appear, if prompted to format the drive click "Format" and proceed to the next step, otherwise right Click on the new drive and select "Format..."

   

7. When presented with the Format options, choose FAT32 and Default Allocation Size :

   

8. Once formatted, minimize all your windows again and double-click on your downloaded unetbootin application

   

   If prompted by a Vista or Windows 7 security warning, click on "yes".

9. When UNetbootin loads, choose Diskimage and browse to your downloaded XBMC 10.0 iso file, ensure your USB drive letter is selected and click OK

   

   Once complete, click "Exit". Do not click on "Reboot Now".

CONGRATULATIONS - YOU NOW HAVE AN XBMC LIVE USB KEY, that will work on most PC’s!

Source: http://www.mini-itx.com/projects/xbmc-ion/module/1

How to boot from USB (bios setting): Set your BIOS to boot from USB

How to run XBMC Live from USB (do not install, it will wipe your Windows unless you know what you’re doing): Test your XBMC Live USB Stick

IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60 Laptop Upgrade

Kak Cah said she loves her laptop with square screen (4:3), and doesn’t want a new laptop unless it too has a square screen.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a new laptop out today that has 4:3 screen… All the new laptops are either 16:9 or 16:10.
So my only option is to upgrade this computer to the max!
Upgrades I’ve done so far:

1. Memory (RAM) upgraded from 1GB (2x512MB) to 2GB (2x1GB) then recently to 3GB (1x1GB and 1x2GB).
2. Wireless card from 802.11g (54Mbps) to 802.11n (144Mbps)
3. 15” Screen from 1024x768 XGA (TN panel) to 1600x1200 UXGA (IPS Panel) FlexView Screen.  Yes it look much better overall (sharper, richer colors, etc) and not to mention huge increase in desktop real estate.  The original screen broke, so I figured I’d upgrade at the same time while replacing it.
4. Hard drive from 80GB 5400RPM to 200GB 7200RPM
5. OS from WIndows XP to Windows 7

Today, time to upgrade the CPU!  The CPU that’s currently in the laptop is an Intel Core Duo T2400 running at 1.83 GHz.  This is the same CPU that’s running inside of the Mac Mini (Lubis mini).

Below is the old CPU… The die contains 151 million transistors.


The new CPU is a used Intel Core 2 Duo T7600.  I got it off eBay for $145.  Brand new 3 years ago it was over $600.  This is the fastest CPU with the same socket (Socket M or ZIF 479 mPGA)  ZIF = Zero Insertion Force.  mPGA = Mobile Pin Grid Array.  It has twice the amount of L2 cache (primary factor of the great performance increase), supports 64-bit and also Virtualization.

As long as your T60 has a rev 03 motherboard and the latest BIOS, it should be compatible with this upgrade.

New CPU below… Notice that the die is much bigger (it contains 291 million transistors, close to 2x the transistors of its older sibling).  The back also looks busier.


Side by side comparison below. Left is the new processor (T7600).

It was rather simple to get to the CPU.  You need to remove 1) Palmrest 2) Keyboard 3) Top bezel 4) Heatsink bracket and 5) Heatsink itself


Below: Heatsink removed, exposing the old CPU in it’s socket, Video card (ATI Mobility Radeon x1300) to the right of it and the northbrdige chipset (i945PM) under the video card.

While the heatsink was out, I also replaced the fan.  It runs a bit quieter now, too.

Now here is what we’ve been waiting for: Benchmarks!
PerformanceTest 7.0 32-bit
Red is before the upgrade, Blue is after the upgrade.  See HUGE performance increase in raw CPU performance, Memory performance and 2D performance.  I like.

Windows Experience Index (WEI)
Before…

After…

The computer definitely feels faster and quieter.  In fact I am typing on it now!  This upgrade is definitely a lot easier than I expected, and took a lot less work than replacing the LCD screen.  Anyways, I am running out of things to upgrade.  Only thing that would net in a measurable difference is probably an SSD!  Maybe next year…  But this processor upgrade definitely give this laptop a new lease on life – 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo is pretty powerful… glad I did this upgrade!

PS: This cpu upgrade is also compatible with Mac Mini.  If I can get a good deal on another, I'll upgrade the Mac Mini at home in the future.