How to Upgrade HP-MINI 210 Netbook Memory: FACTS NOT FICTION

We've got a couple of HP-mini's and they're nice little netbooks, but when I wanted to upgrade them to 2GB, that's when the bullshit started. Trying to find any resources online about the specific makes and models and which chips they require is truly maddening. Making it even more maddening are the journalists that add to the steaming pile of misinformation. However, after taking the time to read through all the bullshit and sort it all out, I've got the actual FACTS that should help other HP Mini 210 owners sort it out as well.

We have both an HP Mini 210-1032CL that uses DDR 2 RAM and the HP Mini 210-1142CL that uses DDR 3 RAM. Notice that in both those product specifications that even HP incorrectly states that both machines have a fixed limit of 1GB RAM. Make sure you get the right memory for your HP Mini 210 because they may take different chips than the 2 models I have which are linked above to the exact memory I purchased for those specific models only.

Check out this PC Mag article about the HP mini 210-1142CL for a sample of the inaccuracies that are swirling around these netbooks.

The Mini 210-1142CL comes with 1GB of DDR3 memory and there's no easy way to manually upgrade to 2GB. Netbooks like the HP 5102 and Asus 1005PR have memory slots that are easily accessible.

Unless the author of this article got a different unit than mine, or my HP mini is mislabeled, this is 100% inaccurate BULLSHIT! A typical example of why I don't read PC Mag and haven't since the early 90s but I digress.

The slightly misleading information starts right on HP's website with the HP mini 210 overview:

1GB DDR3 system memory, or upgrade to 2GB if you select Windows 7 Home Premium

Many people think that means you can only use 2GB if you upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium which isn't true, it's just 2 different bundling options from HP. If you buy the low end bundle you get Windows 7 Starter with 1GB RAM. If you buy the high end bundle you get Windows 7 Premium with 2GB RAM. This doesn't mean you can't buy the cheapest version of the netbook and upgrade the memory to 2GB RAM with Windows 7 Starter.

Here's the best part, most of the world posts that Windows 7 Starter has a limit of 1GB RAM further blowing misinformation smoke up everyone's ass when Microsoft's own website plainly states that Windows 7 Starter takes a max of 2GB RAM!

How easy is it to replace the memory in an HP Mini 210?

To replace the memory you simply remove the battery, push 2 red buttons, bottom of the case pops right off with a little insistence (OK a LOT of insistence) , then you see the memory card held by 2 little spring clips, you unlock the clips, remove the old chips, slide in the new chips, replace cover and battery. DONE!

If you don't believe me, watch the video!

To summarize:

• HP Mini 210 series will accept 2GB RAM
• Windows 7 Starter uses a max of 2GB RAM
• No upgrade to Windows 7 Premium is required
• PC MAG authors should get their facts straight

Good luck and hope this helps all you HP Mini 210 owners out there twisting in the wind looking for answers!

Are Joomla! Users Lazy or Just Stupid?

Let's start by looking in Google for the default Joomla! title "Welcome to the Frontpage" and Google claims there's 5,000,000 results with all those words in the title.

Absofuckingtively unfuckingbelievable.

However, many Joomla! users seem to somehow manage to change their title but leave the meta keywords and description as follows:

<meta name="keywords" content="joomla, Joomla">
<meta name="description" content="Joomla! - the dynamic portal engine and content management system">

Why does Joomla! even allow pages to be published without all these fields properly set is beyond me. It's simply amazing that the software could easily teach their users better practices and easily help them rank better yet allows the system defaults to be published.

Any hungry SEOs out there looking for some low hanging Joomla! fruit?

Possibly some easy money to be made if the price is right.

Google Navigation Goes Batshit in Cul-de-Sac

I knew the location of this one particular neighborhood bar would probably make any navigation system nuts so I put Google Navigation to the test and it failed hysterically.

You can see the problem on this map:

View Larger Map

The place is called Steamies, located at 3403 Pacific Boulevard, San Mateo, CA‎ which is where Google thinks that big red marker is on the screen.

There's nothing there but a clover leaf getting on and off Hillsdale Blvd.

The amusing part is Steamies, at 3403 Pacific Boulevard, is down toward the bottom of the screen, that cul-de-sac is their parking lot.

You cannot park at or turn into 3403 Pacific Boulevard from Pacific Boulevard, you have to go a few blocks down and get there via Poinsetta.

However, Google Navigation assumed it was like the mistake on Google maps the the female voice was bitching to U-Turn and go to this street or that, anywhere except where we knew we had to get to get there.

Overall, I think Google Navigation is pretty decent but they scored a big fat assed goose egg on getting to Steamies.

Must Have Android Apps - HTC Hero and beyond!

I've been downloading and playing with a lot of new apps and some are downright mind blowing.

Better Keyboard

If you're still using Android phones that have yet to upgrade to Android 2.1 you MUST get the Better Keyboard app and pay the $3, it's more than worthwhile.

Why?

It does voice.

That's right, voice.

It allows you to talk in every input field on any app, any browser field, anywhere except for URL addresses which it forces you to type for some reason.

Google Translate

Next, install Google Translate and now you can talk into the phone, it translates your speech to text, then translates your speech/text into any language Google can translate.

Anyone remember the Star Trek universal translator?

Never thought I'd own one and it's getting damn close to being the real deal.

The only problem is currently it only understands English when listening so it's just a one-sided translator but since I speak English, that's good enough for me! ;)

Text-to-Speech

Install the TTS software and then your phone can actually say those foreign translations out loud which is kind of fun to hear it make the attempt.

Metal Detector

I don't know how the damn Metal Detector thing works but it just does.

It detects lots of different types of metal and get it anywhere near a computer, screen or other phone and it just goes nuts.

Now for fun you can change what it says so now my metal detector says "Searching for lame ass phones..." and when I put it next to an iPhone it starts buzzing and beeping with big letters on the screen decrying "LAME ASS PHONE DETECTED!".

Wifi Analyzer

Holy shit what a useful app!

I was having a problem with wifi at home and this Wifi Analyzer thing helped diagnose the issues in mere minutes and now we have better connectivity.

Not to mention when you're out traveling it'll help you find the best place to sit and use your laptop.

You might not use it often, but when you need it, it really rocks!

OK, got other apps to discuss but I'll get to it next time.

Shopping Online Makes Green Sense

Millions of people drive to stores daily wasting much more combined gas than that one scheduled delivery truck that drives by your house daily so why not just shop online, save time, gas, money, and for now ... taxes!

Where to get good deals.

Walmart will ship you clothing direct to your door for as little as $0.97!
You can't afford to drive to Walmart for that price!

Shoes.com and Zappos will ship your shoes for free.
I wear a 10.5 2E, which almost nobody stocks in brick and mortar stores. I could drive around town all day and still not find what I'm looking for OR get free shipping for what's immediately in stock that's easy to locate within minutes.

Amazon.com Prime shipping for a low $79 annual fee.
We buy a lot of stuff from Amazon and it shows up in 2 days for a small annual shipping fee. It's so convenient it's down right scary because anything we want just shows up in 2 days. With the local California taxes up to about 10% it doesn't require \much online shopping to cover the cost of that $79 fee either.

Groceries delivered for as little as $6.95!
Considering not everyone has a car this is cheaper than taking a taxi or even a bus to go shopping. For those busy people on the go it's a serious time saver, well worth the price and for those lazy people, it'll keep your ass on the sofa glued to the tube longer for a small fee. Seriously consider when you tip the pizza guy $5 for delivering a single pizza that your entire grocery order could be delivered, including a fresh deli pizza ready for baking!


Seriously people, I'm finding it easier and easier to live in a cave and avoid the crowded roads and stores thanks to the internet.

All my income is direct deposit, no trips to the banks.

Most of my bills, as many as possible, come electronically to avoid all the piles of paper.

All my bills are paid by BillPay, no stamps, envelopes, no trip to the post office.

Clothing and shoes just randomly show up at the door.

Computer memory upgrades just appear tax free.

So on and so forth, the delivery man comes often to our house.

Why not?

It's GREEN for my wallet and GREEN for the planet!