GodMode

[mckitterick]

This is a really neat tool: GodMode for Windows 7. Here's how it works.

Yes, I finally bought a new computer, my first since... geez, the 1990s, I think. (Shut up.) I've been using an ancient computer my mom gave me after viruses fried the hard drive and memory, and a work laptop for mobile computing, upgrading their memory and video and everything else along the way. Well, when those both finally became unusable, and the English Department IT guy said that they didn't have a decent laptop that I could use, I figured it was time to buy a new machine.

After much research and deals-hunting, I got myself a wicked-fast and beautiful laptop so it could serve all my functions: work and class demonstrations, writing both at home and on the road, telescope imaging with my astro-camera, coffee-shop goofin' off, and so forth. This is not a tiny computer, at more than 15" wide and more than 10" deep, but I wanted awesomeness more than portability for how I use a computer.

Here are the technical details: lenovo IdeaPad Y550P (324156U). Processor: Intel Core i7 720QM running at 1.60GHz. 15.6" screen (and I attach an external LCD for multi-tasking). 4GB DDR3 1066 memory (expandable to 8GB). 500GB, 5400rpm hard drive. DVD±R/RW media drive. NVIDIA GeForce GT 240M 1GB GDDR3 dedicated video card that can output true-HD video (via the HDMI port) to an external monitor. LAN and WiFi Link 5300 802.11a/b/g/n connectivity. 6-cell lithium-ion batter that's reviewed to last between 3 and 3-1/2 hours, depending on use - that's pretty wow considering the hardware it's powering.

And it's pretty:


Click the image to see the story.


Anyhow, it comes with Windows 7, which seems pretty neat, and reviews say it's great and very secure, but it's taking some getting used to. So I went in search of the secret GodMode feature I heard about on the radio. Here's how it works:

Create a new folder and name it thus:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

(No ohs, only zeroes.)

After you do that, the folder gets a cool icon that lets you know you can enter GodMode by opening it. Basically, this is an Uber-Control Panel that houses tons of control and configurations options all in one place. Super handy.

I'm at the office right now, installing software: Microsoft Office (KU has a deal for Office - only $10 for those with a KUID - and the same deal for Windows 7) and Sophos Anti-Virus.

I see that Sophos virus protection has finished installing; I'm off!

Best,
Chris

Comments

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

My new machine is pretty kick-ass, so I can't say how Windows 7 compares to Vista. But with 4GB memory and this quad-core i7 processor... well, it knows what to do almost before I think it.

[tully01.livejournal.com]

Just got a new i5 notebook, and am jealous of your CPU.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I considered getting the i3 for power-saving reasons (or even lower-oomph ones), but for the few times when I'm not using it as a desktop replacement, it seemed pointless to go for lower power ;-)

[tully01.livejournal.com]

Yeah, i3 is OK for a general-use laptop or a dedicated carry-around but not for more intense apps. I'd have gone i7 but the price difference was a hill too high for me right now. Thus the i5. When I build my new home unit, it will have to have more oomph than the lower-end chips.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wouldn't have gone the i7 route if it hadn't been for Newegg's massive sale....