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

[frugurl27.livejournal.com]

Totally just did this on Andy's Windows 7 netbook. Thanks for the tip! :D

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

I have a Lenovo, which alas came with Windows Vista,which sucketh. The program, not the computer, which is fairly awesome.

go you

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

I loves my MacBook, but that looks way cool.

the PC I'm most in contact with these days is a slave to the IRS, so it is very limited because it is locked into the payment system.

Sounds like you have a new good friend/servant

Re: GodMode

[drpaisley.livejournal.com]

As Flemco puts it so elegantly, "I do not believe in your invisible friend."

[jimvanpelt.livejournal.com]

Hi, Chris. Thanks for the very cool Godmode hint. I was so excited that I ran up stairs to tell my computerphile 17-year old about it.

He has known about Godmode since the beginning of the school year.

Argh.

[roya-spirit.livejournal.com]

might dish out the bucks for Windows 7 then. Vista really hasn't been awful on this laptop once I upgraded the memory by 2 Gig.

[countrycousin.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Didn't know about this one. [been a long time since I was 17 :-) ]

[stuology.livejournal.com]

Have you given the 20D camera a shot yet? (Hahaha).

I did find out through unrelated reading that Canon did make a camera specifically for astrophotography--the Canon 20Da. They added a low-pass IR filter in front of the CMOS sensor, live view mode, which wasn't available in their DSLRs until recently, and improved noise reduction for low-light photos than the 20D you have.

Congrats on updating your computing experience to today's standards.