Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Review & Install

Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Review & Install - Intro

Are you in the market for a Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Directional Cross Polarised LTE MIMO Antenna? Here are the wheres and whys, and my findings having purchased one.

Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Review & Install - What is It?

The Poynting XPOL-2 V2 (Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Directional Cross Polarised LTE MIMO Antenna) is an antenna (like an aerial) that you attached to your 4G router, and it "collects" more signal strength from the available signal, leading to the following advantages:

• Lower latency
• Higher Bandwidth
• Less Drop Out
• Stronger Signal

The antenna consists of 5 meters of high quality low loss coaxial cables, and gold plated SMA connectors, and the antenna itself, which is at 25cm x 25cm (9" x 9") plastic box with female threaded attachments on rear.

The cable come pre-attached, and the box included mounting brackets. You will need a round section pole to mount it on. 

Square 50mmx50mm lower section with round tube on top.

Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Review & Install - How to Install

In order to use this antenna, you will need a 3G or 4G router such as:

• TP-LINK TL-MR6400 (As pictured below - I have this one)
• TP-LINK AC750 MR6400
• Huawei B593 B315 B525 E5186
• NETGEAR M1 MR1100 NIGHTHAWK ZTE MF279
• Huawei E5186

Some of the later model of the TP Link MR200 (Version 3) do not have removable antenna, make sure your router has SMA connectors, or you will have to buy adaptors TS9 is another popular fitting that is easily adapted.

Open the box, and inside you will find all that is required to attached the antenna to a pole  it will not be easy to mount to a square post, or a wall, as setting the direction of the antenna, so its front flat face is pointing at the nearest mobile mast. It will require a round post to the mounted on.

It is important to note that this antenna will likely improve you 3G 4G experience whether it is mounted internally or external. External is preferential owing to lack of obstacles such as walls. 

In my case I used, a square wooden lower post, and a short length of round tube, on the top, which allowed for rotation. If you are looking to fix this to a wall then perhaps a "Satellite Wall Mount Bracket " would do the job.

The cable is 5 meters long. So this runs down from where you have mounted the antenna (some report putting in loft works OK) and at some point you will likely have to drill a hole in the wall. You need a 20mm drill bit, so you can get both connector though side by side. It is best to wrap the connectors in a little masking tape, to stop them getting dusty or scratched. 

Drill a hole in wall to pass through cable (on right in this picture)

One of the trickiest parts of the setup is pointing the antenna accurately at the mobile mast. If you can see the mast then that is all well and good, but if not it can be tricky to envisage where the mast is. I guessed at first and I was around 5 degrees off, which was the difference between 75% signal and 100%, so it is worth getting right.

I used the "measure" function on google maps to draw a line from the antenna location, to the nearest mobile mast. The line will cross something that you can see (house next door for example), and it is easier to line up with something close by than trying to guess. It transpires it is 1.9miles to my nearest mobile mast. 

Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Review & Install - Why Would I Need One?

If you are in any of the following situations, then you might benefit from using this XPOL-2 antenna:

• Rural and urban areas
• Poor data signal reception (indoor or outdoor)
• Slow data transmission connection areas
• Unstable connection
• Increase system transmission reliability
• LTE fringe areas (close to an LTE area, but just out of reach)

In my case I was probably non of these, as I could get about 16MB a second using a cheapo external antenna, but I needed a higher bandwidth so as to get more data (I had three kids using video chat during lockdown for CV19 2020), and had read that a good quality antenna would help. It did.

The new antenna, nearly tripled by down load speed, and upload speeds. I also noticed a slight drop in latency time (a good thing). 

Strangely enough despite this large jump in performance the signal strength did not change. With my router still telling be 75%, which was the same as the cheapo antenna. However, after fine tuning the direction of the antenna, which was off by about 5 degrees this did go up to 100%.

Download speed went up to over 50MB/s after this fine adjustment. 

Poynting XPOL-2 V2 Review & Install - Conclusions

This is a high quality directional antenna, that really works. If I had swapped this for the stock internal antenna, I would have seen a 500% increase in bandwidth, as it stood I still managed to get a 300% increase even when replacing an external antenna from another manufacturer. 

It is quite expensive, at £110 (compared to £25 for cheapo version) but I am very pleased with it. 

If you are out of reception, or not getting enough bandwidth, I would give this a wizz, it works miracles. 

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How to Use LastPass without Toolbar or Button

How to Use LastPass without Toolbar or Button

If like me you don't want tool bars installed in you browser then you might want to avoid the lastpass toolbar which is a "persistant" offering from lastpass.

It is quite hard to use last pass without installing the toolbar. I am not sure why but when I log in with 100% correct log in details on firefox, I get told to try again.

But I would like to Use LastPass without Toolbar or Button. I expect functionality will be reduced, but I do not intend to do use LastPass very often just for some shared project passwords. 

I tried the same manouver in an ancient version of internet explorer (iexplore), and can access web based password vault: 

If you copy and past this link:

https://lastpass.com/?ac=1&lpnorefresh=1 

 . . .in to an old browser it should take you to  your password vault. 

The question: why does firefox not show the password vault? I have checked this with chrome, and also internet explorer (may echo with edge) and direct access is possible. 

So if you are experiencing problems access password vault with Firefox . . . try a different browser. 


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Windows - Clock is Showing the Wrong Time

Windows - Clock is Showing the Wrong Time

I have had a persistent problem where the clock on my Windows PC shows the wrong time, despite being corrected on a daily basis.

I have tried sooooooo many different methods to fix this none have worked. I have listed them here because one of them might work for you. There are people on forums who have spent many many hours trying to fix this. I can fix most stuff, but I couldn't fix this "properly". Please see green highlighted below for solution.

0 - Net Time (My "Solution")

After spending around 16 hours trying to fix this problem (please see below list) I came across a suggestion to use NetTime. It is a very small neat program that runs as a service, and instantly fixed the problem. If I had the same problem on another machine I would start here and spend the saved time cycling, walking or playing nerf with my son.

http://www.timesynctool.com/ - Link

Install this and all your troubles will be far away. I was so happy I donated some money to these chaps, but it is free software.

1 - Time Syncing 

Date and Time Settings > Internet Time > Change Settings

In this window you can selected automated syncing. Now I have had this enabled since I owned this PC (10 years) and never been a problem, but I disabled to see if it was the problem. It is not. But others have reported that is could be.

If you click the "update now" button this is the quickest way to put your date and time right, don't bother setting it manually!

2 - Windows Time Service

Type "Services" in the search box, open scroll down the list of services find "Windows Time". This service runs a sync between all computer on network. Somehow a master computer is chosen in the network, and perhaps you computer is syncing time with a computer with the wrong time.

Switch this serice to disabled. If it doesn't help, then you can always enable it in a few days time.

3 - Power Settings

This problem started after I switched from a power management plan which included hibernation / sleep, back to an always on power management plan.

I have read that hard disk turning off can cause a time problem, so choose advanced power settings and set "Turn Off Hard Disk" to "Never".

4 - CMOS Battery

There is a little battery inside you PC, Laptop somewhere that keeps the time keeping elements of you computer powered when it is not plugged in. If you computer keeps time whilst plugged in, but show a weird time and date when you plug in back in then perhaps it is a dead CMOS battery.

A time of 12:00 or 0:00 on start up is a sure sign of a dead CMOS battery.

5 - Screen Savers 

Some screen savers take a "picture" of the desktop and distort it to create screen saver effect. Clock will remain fixed time whilst screen saver is active.

6 - BIOS

When you switch on you PC you will often see a little message say "Press F10 to Enter Setup" select this option, to enter BIOS settings. Be careful not to change anything.

Navigate around using the arrow keys, looking for time and date settings, check they are correct.

7 - W32tm.exe

 "W32tm.exe is used to configure Windows Time service settings. It can also be used to diagnose problems with the time service. W32tm.exe is the preferred command line tool for configuring, monitoring, or troubleshooting the Windows Time service."


Perform the steps mentioned below and see if it helps.
a: Press Windows key + X. (or open command prompt)
b: Then click command prompt(admin)
c: Now type the following commands and hit enter:
net stop w32time
w32tm /unregister

w32tm /register

net start w32time

w32tm /resync

Restart the computer to test the issue again.

8 - Change Time Zones

Change to a different time zone, apply changes, and then change it back to your normal time zone again.  

9 - Scheduled Task to Update Internet Time (Hammer Time)

I created this Windows Internet Time Update Program, which you can download here. Save this some where, and then set up a scheduled task to run it every time you start you computer, or everyday at a certain time. If the problem is very bad you can scheduled the task to run every 30 minutes, effectively updating your time to a server of your choice, every 30 minutes or less, hammering the problem in to submission. Boom.

You can also use the

10 - File Transfer Time Pause

I have heard that windows pauses time during file transfers. Is it something to do with this mechanism.

11 - Corrupt File System

You could run file checker. (Built in to windows) you dont need to download anything:

Windows 7

1. Click the Start button and in the search bar, type cmd.
2. Right-click on cmd.exe and select Run as Administrator.
3. Click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt that appears, and once the blinking cursor appears, type SFC /scannow and press the Enter key.
4. System File Checker starts and checks the integrity of system files.

Windows 8/8.1/10

1. From the desktop, press the Win+X hotkey combination and from the menu select Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Click Yes on the User Account Control (UAC) prompt that appears, and once the blinking cursor appears, type SFC /scannow and press the Enter key.
3. System File Checker starts and checks the integrity of system files.

If you find corrupt files, you might try to repair them.

12 - System Error 1290

When trying step 7 above I got the below message: 

C:\Windows\system32>net start w32time

System error 1290 has occurred.

The service start failed since one or more services in the same process have an

incompatible service SID type setting. A service with restricted service SID typ

e can only coexist in the same process with other services with a restricted SID

 type. If the service SID type for this service was just configured, the hosting

 process must be restarted in order to start this service.

This post suggests using the below added underlined command line prompt:

.\net stop w32time
.\w32tm /unregister
.\w32tm /register
.\sc config w32time type= own
.\net start w32time
.\w32tm /config /update /manualpeerlist:"0.pool.ntp.org,1.pool.ntp.org,2.pool.ntp.org,3.pool.ntp.org",0x8 /syncfromflags:MANUAL /reliable:yes
.\w32tm /resync

You may then get It results  "Access is denied (0x80070005)"

 ..  . . the storey continues. 

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CST Laser Trackball CST2545W-RC Review

CST Laser Track Ball CST2545W-RC Review

This CST Laser Track Ball Review CST2545W-RC is a heavily built large offering, which is made in the USA, it will set you back about £120 if you are buying this in the UK. It is probably worth it if you are having posture related issues, such as shoulder pain as it removes all requirements for you to push a mouse with tense shoulders all day.

The video above shows the trackball in use with me narrating on the task I am performing. There are some advantages, and some disadvantages.

Update 2022: After 3 years this piece of kit has been very good. I use it everyday, and even for stuff I would have switched back to a mouse for, I still use this. Having got quite used to it now. I did have a slight problem with it in that I used it one day with very sandy hands, and the sand got inside. I had to take it apart and clean out the interior. This was an easy task and needed doing any way. 

Pros - Comfort and "Throw and Catch"

The comfort is good. There is no need to tense you shoulder or upper arm. I found this aspect to provide more comfort from the outset.

When moving the pointer from one side of the desktop to the other you can throw and catch the ball. This is demonstrated in the above video.

Cons - Learning Period & Drag and Drop

It takes a while to learn how to manipulate your hand so as to achieve a drag and drop. You will be using all-sorts of muscles in you forearm that you may not be used to using, and this can take time to get used to.

I tried out "click lock" for a while to see if this would help but it didn't. The DPI setting I have also left of default.

Some Photos

 

Conclusions 

This is well worth the switch to improve comfort and posture, I would hesitate to make the switch if not required for practical reasons, not because it is not good to use a trackball but because you will burn up some time learning to use it.

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8GB or 16GB of RAM for Heavy Multi Tasking

8GB or 16GB of RAM for Heavy Multi Tasking - Intro

RAM is fairly cheap and easy to install. But how much do you need for heavy multitasking?

8GB or 16GB of RAM for Heavy Multi Tasking - Observations

Prior to my upgrade I was running 4GB of RAM, but owing to 32 bit limitations of 3GB and two 500MB graphics cards, I can only see 2GB of available RAM in performance manager.

This 2GB of RAM was always maxed out, hovering around the 1.8GB mark most of the time during day to day use. I use a 4 monitor set up so can have a awful lot of stuff open.

I recently upgraded to a 64 bit system, and so now I can use more RAM. I have installed 16GB, but how much of this will get used.

Typically I have open:

• 4 Browser Windows (3 or 4 Tabs Each)
• 3 MS Word Windows
• MS Outlook
• >10 Large PDF Files
• MS Publisher with lots of Photos
• Modelling Software or,
• Sketch Up or,
• AutoCAD

So how much memory does all this stuff take up? Just 3.67GB:

Windows is actually using a lot more memory standby memory, if we look in resource monitor we can see only 1.4GB Free with around 11GB used in standby. Standby memory hold on to applications that have been closed, in case they are needed again, this will gradually "fill up" the longer you have your machine switched on and you open and close programs.

8GB or 16GB of RAM for Heavy Multi Tasking - Conclusion

8GB will almost certainly be plenty for heavy multitasking. Any more than 8GB and really you are looking at server amounts of memory that give no real benefit. 

Would I have bought 16GB of RAM knowing what I know now? Probably not. But its would still be tempting because the more available memory for standby the better. . . . and there in lies the rub.

As a note aside the best performance upgrade you can ever make (in my opinion) is a solid state drive SSD. Even a old, low spec computer will work twice as fast with an SSD.  

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Does Microsoft Office USe Multiple Cores?

Does Microsoft Office Use Multiple Cores?

Having recently upgraded from a 4 core to 8 core system, I am wondering how well access (by example) uses multiple cores.

So whilst transferring a 65,0000 entry access database to excel, I have observed the below CPU behaviour.

So besides showing I need more memory, the performance monitor shows that work load is spread over 4 cores, possibly 5.

Changing priority of the process does not change this spread. A lot of people say that you don't need more than 4 cores unless you are doing crazy rendering or editing. They are probably right!

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Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Intro

If you have been using some kind of multi OS boot loader on you computer and then decide to go back to a single OS you could run in to problems with booting your computer.

If you are migrating from a Linux type boot loader then start at step 1. If you have only been using windows then skip to Step 2.

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Step 1

The first thing to check is that your your disk is "flagged" a a boot drive. The easiest way to do this is to boot a copy of puppy linux from a live CD, and run "gparted". Once you are at the puppy linux desktop choose:

Menu > System > GParted Partition Manager

1. Select the Drive with Windows (sda internal drive for example)
2. Click OKAY button.
3. Right Click on the Windows Partition
4. Select "Manage Flags"
5. Check the "Boot" check box.
6. "Close" the check box screen
7. Shutdown system

At this point remove the puppy linux live CD and try to reboot. This may work on its own. If not proceed to Step 2

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Step2

Next we need to fire up the recovery console, which is done by booting from your relavnet operating system CD / DVD.

For XP

1. Boot from CD
2. Choose to Repair Console. At command prompt. . .
3. Type "fixmbr" press enter, confirm prompts.
4. Type "fixboot" press enter.
5.  Type "exit"

For Windows 7, 8 and 10

1. Boot From CD
2. Run Start Up Repair

or . . .  .

1. Boot from CD
2. Run Reocvery from Command Prompt
3. Type "cd\" to change directory to hard drive. Enter
4. Type "bootrec"
5. Choose a switch such as /fixboot or /fixmbr e.g. bootrec /fixmbr
6. You can also "rebuidlbcd"

After try all of the aaove if you still can't boot properly . . .

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Step 3

A full repair i.e. copying over you windows install. 

For XP this is:

1. Boot from CD
2. Press Enter to "Setup XP"
3. Press "r" to repair.

This will look like you are doing a fresh install, but really you will be re-installing over the existing OS so much should be the same.

 Please post any comments below. .  .

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Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux

Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux (Debian) - Intro

Whilst I am in love with the idea of a free OS, and a bundle of apps to go with it, I do require an OS to function fully. I have found that if you have Canon printers, you can spend hours (8 or 9 hours) trying to get the printers configured, with no success.

This is no doubt the fault of Canon, but in short if you intend to use Linux with a Canon Network Printer you are in for a battle. Particularly if you are new to linux.

I have tried to get things to work using Lubuntu (Ubuntu light)  & Puppy Linux (Slacko). I found the OS's to be feature rich, and snappy (especially puppy), but I will be reverting to windows owing to lack of print ability.

Linux Versions Tried

• Puppy Linux - Slacko
• Lubuntu - Version 14

Printers

• LBP6300n
• LBP7100n

Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux (Debian) -What is Involved

I did not get my printer to work. Here is a list of the things I tried. In order to start the install process you will need the IP address of the printer, which is hopefully static. You can get this by logging in to your router and looking under attached devices or similar.

• Installing a large variety of "generic" print drivers included in the driver data base included within each OS.
• Downloading Drivers from HP and try both auto and manual install procedures.
• Adding in numerous services / packages at the console (similar to command prompt in windows).
• Copy and paste missing files in to root directory using root privileges at command prompt.

So in short you are looking at copy and paste of quite a bit of code, hours of web research, and likely no success.

Like I say most things I can do computer wise but I have fallen flat on this one.

Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux - Process as Tested

So first download and extract (right click on downloaded driver file), and put the files in a new directory to keep things tidy. Then you can look for ppd files, which are buried 7 levels down in a single folder. Or search from within console (Ctrl+Alt+T).


Press "/" and enter to get the ">" sign up and then type or copy in:

locate *.ppd

You can then use this ppd, when prompted for in the printer install utility. After you have done this, in may case I was told I needed to find a missing file:

"Printer 'Canon-LBP6300-CAPT' requires the '/usr/lib/cups/filter/pstocapt3' program but it is not currently installed.  Please install it before using this printer."

So back in console. . .  .

locate pstocapt3

it will tell you where the file is and the copy it in too the director that the printer package tells you to

for example:

Idle - File "/usr/lib/cups/filter/pstocapt3" not available: No such file or directory.





You can not just paste a file in to the OS section, you will need "root" privalages, so you need to type.

sudo pcmanfm 





In order to open the file manager with root privileges to copy files over. In Ubuntu (rather than Lubuntu) I believe Nautilus is the file manager.

So then the problem persists and nothing prints still, and this was where I bowed out.

I hope you have better luck, or Canon make things easier somehow, I have heard that HP printers set up a lot easier.






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LBP7100Cn LBP7100Cn Power Saving / Sleep Mode / Auto Shutdown

LBP7100Cn  LBP7100Cn Power Saving / Sleep Mode / Auto Shutdown

The below instructions can be found at the following link:

LBP7100Cn  LBP7100Cn Power Saving / Sleep Mode / Auto Shutdown

I had assumed with was a power saving mode on the LBP7100Cn  LBP7100Cn which of course it does save power, but could not find how to turn it off.

Canon call this feature "sleep" or "auto shutdown" rather than power saving mode both of which you can turn off from the below menu. .

This is a must if your printer is on a network remote from where most of the users are.

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Fastest CPU for XW6400 and XW8400

Fastest CPU for XW6400 and XW8400

Whilst on ebay a week or so ago I noticed that there were some used processors for sale that I might try in my XW8400.

This page might also be interesting if you have a Max Pro 2, as these use the same generation of processors as the XW8400, also the Dell Precision 490. However I do not own a Mac or  Dell!

In the quick specs document, the XW8400 and the XW6400 are shown as using:

• Intel Xeon 5100 Series 
• Intel Xeon 5300 Series

At present I am using 5160 which is a 3 GHZ , 1333 FSB, 4 MB, 771 Processor

52XX (5200) and 54XX (5400) Series CPUs in XW8400 and XW6400

Since the release of my XW8400, HP have launched the XW8600, and its little sister XW6600.

These use the processor families (THEY DO NOT WORK):

•  Intel Xeon 5200 Series
• Intel Xeon 5400 Series

Now the faster of these newer processors use a 1600FSB which I thought might cause problems, if I were to try it on my XW8400. But some of the newer processors use a 1333FSB. So I thought I would try one of those.

The cheapest I could find on ebay that would have improved performance on my machine was the X5260, which is a 3.33 GHZ , 1333 FSB, 6 MB, 771 Processor. I bought 2 for £5 each so throw away money really.

THEY DO NOT WORK. I tried both just to make sure and the machine will not start, I replaced the original processors and she booted. So that is a shame no upgrades for me. I would 99% assume therefore that all 5200 series processor will not work. And I would 95% assume that all 5400 processors will not work.

So what are the fastest Xeons for the XW8400 and XW6400?

So to conclude the fastest processors for the XW8400 and XW6400 are:

• Dual Core - 5160
• Quad Core - X5365 

BUT BUT BUT What is this I see? HP mention a processor - Xeon 5170 at 3.33GHZ . . .  .

Well it is not listed on the Intel website so rather disappointingly this is either a typo, or a ghost CPU!

Thorpy's Recommendation

If you are undertaking very CPU intensive operations such as video rendering or such like, then it may be worth getting quad core processors. However, the XW8400 at least works very well with a 5160 processor. This is very noticeable when doing normal computer use (opening and closing apps etc.) A 5160 can be had cheaply on ebay as can a heat sink.

If you are thinking of installing one quad core, I would recommend installing 2 dual cores. This will not only be cheaper, but it will help cooling. You will spread the heat load over two heatsinks.

I have not tried the 5365 (quad 3.0ghz) processor, but I have tried the 2.66 ghz 5355. I found them to be noticable slower during open cloase working, and they run much hotter. In fact I think I burnt out a mother board on one of my xw8400's due to over heating*.

*Rebuilding 16GB outlook data base unattended, on a hot summers day with non-standard low noise CPU fan.. . . your choice. 


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NVS 285 vs NVS 300

NVS 285 vs NVS 300 - Intro

I couldn't find a straight comparison of the NVS 285 vs NVS 300 on the web so have made this page.

NVS 285 vs NVS 300 - Bench Marks 

www.videocardbenchmark.net gives rating of 34 and 196 to the NVS 285 and  NVS 300 respectively.

NVS 285 - (From PassMark)

NVS 300

NVS 285 vs NVS 300 - Compared

Feature	NVS 285	NVS 300
Bus Interface Memory Size Memory Interface Memory Bandwidth MEmory Speed CUDA Processor Cores Display Connectors OpenGL Power and Cooling	PCI-Express 128MB DDR 64-bit 4.4 GB/s 350MHz NA 2 21 Watts (Passive)	PCI Express x16 PCI Express x1 512MB DDR3 64-bit 12.6 GB/s 16 2 3.3 17.5 Watts (Passive)
Picture
Video		Sunlight and Daylight Assessment