Disclaimer: This was tested on an HP TouchSmart IQ507, but should work on the entire IQ500 series, though the IQ504 runs on a different video chipset.

To get things started, you’ll need a copy of iDeneb v1.3 10.5.5 which can be found on any number of torrent sites. While you’re waiting for it to download, or for the disc image to burn to a DVD, take a few moments to create a new partition under Windows Vista. Name it OSX, and format it as NTFS for the time being.

Step 1: Enter your BIOS and disable the on board audio, then exit saving changes. Next boot off the DVD, select your preferred language, then click Utilities on the menu bar. Open Disk Utility, on the left-hand side, select the partition you created under Windows, then on the right-hand side, click on the Erase tab. Click the drop down for Volume Format and select Mac OS Extended (Journaled), hit Erase. Confirm your choice to erase the volume. After it completes, close the Disk Utility.

Step 2: Back on the Installers welcome screen, click Continue, then blindly agree to the license terms that will popup.

Step 3: On the next screen, select the partition you just formatted as your install destination. Click Continue.

Step 4: You should now see an Install Summery screen, click Customize. Scroll down and expand the options for Patches 10.5.5 Ready, and select the following patches:

Fix -> ICHx Fix
Fix -> AppleSMBIOS -> AppleSMBIOS 667

Click Done, then Install.

Step 5: After the install completes, reboot and complete the Setup Wizard that loads.

These instructions only cover the basics at this point, since I haven’t had much time to mess around with drivers. I’ll be updating this post as soon as I get greater hardware support figured out.

The biggest annoyance right now is that you have to disable the on board audio every time you boot into OS X or else it won’t recognize the keyboard and mouse. Needless to say, working audio drivers are high on my priorities list.

Update: Here’s how to fix the video resolution.

Edit the com.apple.Boot.plist file located in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist and add the following:

<key>Graphics Mode</key>
<string>1680x1050x32</string>

Open Disk Utility and Repair Permissions. Restart.

Please note, fixing the resolution will not enable QE or fix the calibration issue.

The following items work:

• Ethernet
• Memory Card Reader
• FireWire
• DVD Burner
• Webcam (works, but doesn’t function with some apps since the graphics card isn’t supported)
• Touch Screen (no way to calibrate, so it’s off by an inch or so)

The following items don’t work:

• Audio
• Wireless Card
• Bluetooth
• Video Card
• TV Tuner

Last week a friend of mind tried to install Windows XP on his system after installing Ubuntu, and of course the result was that he lost his bootloader.

Don’t panic though, just boot off your Live CD and open up a Terminal window.

Then execute these commands:

sudo grub

root (hd0,0)

setup (hd0)

Close out the Terminal and reboot, and you’re good to go! Just don’t forget to eject your Live CD. This should apply to any Linux distro that uses the Grub bootloader.

It’s probably happened to all of us LCD owners at one point or another… somethings scratches that beautiful real-estate you’re so proud of, and it makes you cry a little on the inside every time you see the glaring blemish. Good news! I’ve found a way to remove scratches… even fairly deep ones!

Disclaimer: I’ve tried this trick on one screen, a Samsung LCD TV (LN40A550). I can’t be sure it works on all LCDs, and I’m pretty sure it won’t work on the glossy type, only the anti-glare screens.

Ready for it? A white pencil eraser! Not the white ink pen erasers, which are rough, but a soft, white pencil eraser.

When we received our screen at work it had several deep scratches in one corner. It looked as if something sharp like a screwdriver scratched it. After reading somewhere online that white erasers worked, I gave it a shot. I was able to completely remove them by rubbing them with a white pencil eraser for a couple of seconds, then cleaning the residue with Windex and a soft cotton cloth.

Don’t believe me? Check out the pictures after the break. I can’t even tell where they were before, by sight OR feel. If your screen is scratched, consider giving this trick a try, then post a comment and let everyone know if it worked for you or not.

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Yes, this is blatantly illegal, proceed at your own risk.

The App Store is missing one feature which I deem key, and that is the ability to try applications before you buy. While some apps offer “Lite” versions which accomplish the same thing, I’d like something a little more consistent.

Enter the jailbroken iPhone solution.

Requirements: A jailbroken iPhone / iPod touch running 2.0.2 or 2.1

Stage 1:
Open Cydia.
Install Open SSH.
Restart.

Stage 2:
SSH into your device. Default username is root, default password is alpine
Then navigate to the following directory: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileInstallation.framework
Make a backup of the MobileInstallation file from the directory above.
Download the patched version of the file here for 2.0.2 or here for 2.1 (the 2.0.2 file might come up as a .dylib, if it does make sure and remove the .dylib extension after you copy it to your device)
Copy the patched MobileInstallation file into the /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileInstallation.framework
Set the permissions for MobileInstallation to 775
Navigate to /private/var/mobile/
Set permissions for the Applications directory to 777. Make sure reclusive is checked.
Navigate into the /private/var/mobile/applications/ directory.
Create a new folder named Documents in the /private/var/mobile/applications/ directory.
Set permissions to 777.
Navigate to the root level.
Open the Applications folder.
Create a Documents folder here as well. Set permission to 777.

Restart the iPhone/iPod.

Download an application from the app store (one of the free ones will work just fine)

Now you’re free to download and install cracked IPA’s! Obviously for legal reasons I can’t link straight to a source for cracked IPA files, but they’re pretty easy to find, just do some searching.

Today’s young men are overly feminized, indecisive, binge drinking good-for-nothings who need a backbone and a brain. Or so my grandpa might say. For those of us who endeavor to rise above that description and desire to achieve real manhood, Tom Chiarella has a few things we can work on to get there. My favorite?

29. Understand quantum physics well enough that he can accept that a quarter might, at some point, pass straight through the table when dropped.

Sometimes the laws of physics aren’t laws at all. Read The Quantum World: Quantum Physics for Everyone, by Kenneth W. Ford.

Followed closely by:

30. Feign interest. Good place to start: quantum physics.

It’s Esquire, so you know going in there will be questionable content in the general area. You’ve been warned.

The 75 Skills Every Man Should Master

I could care less, but Facebook launched their GoogleTalk clone chat utility the other day. And apparently, just like GoogleTalk you can run it in the sidebar in Firefox. Woot.

The upside to this is now you can chat with all your friends without having to open up Facebook, and you’ll be free to browse other websites while chatting.

To add the Facebook chat to your Firefox sidebar, press Ctrl+Shift+B to bring up the Bookmarks Organizer.

Go to Organize -> New Bookmark and type the following address: http://www.facebook.com/presence/popout.php

Also mark the box that says “Load this bookmark in the sidebar”.

Yes, I did just use the word “pwns” in the title of my post… blame it on the fact I’m typing this on my iPhone since Apple has my computer for the next week.

So apparently Spybot has a nasty habit of taking away your ability to disable your Windows Firewall, go figure, so now when you go to disable it, the disable option is grayed out and cannot be selected.

Here’s how to disable it manually:

Click Start

Hit Run

Type services.msc

Once it opens, find the entry marked “Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing [ICS]” and right-click on it and hit Stop.

Now right-click on it again, and select Properties.

On the General tab change the Startup Type to Disabled. Click Ok.

And there you have it, no more Windows Firewall. Of course I would recommend installing another firewall solution after disabling the Windows Firewall, but that’s your call.

Here are some instructions for installing NES games on your iPod touch or iPhone. These will best benefit you if you already have a jailbroken iPod or iPhone and a wireless network.

Updated: 1-15-2008
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The topic you’re looking for has moved.

In a few shorts steps you can add a calendar like the one below to your desktop (OS X only).

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