PCTips Box

Updates and service packs do not serve as exclusive methods of adding functionality to Microsoft’s operating system. In this regard, feature packs are designed to enhance a Windows platform with various components and features on top of the standard releases that are part of a product’s lifecycle. Case in point: Windows Vista Feature Pack for Wireless made available as of April 16. This is Microsoft’s way of delivering added functionality to Windows Vista on top of the recently released Service Pack 1.

“This software update includes the following components or features that improve wireless support in Windows Vista: Bluetooth version 2.1 support, Unified Pairing user interface, Windows Connect Now updates. Some of these features may work with existing hardware. However, you must have new hardware to take advantage of the new functionality,” Microsoft revealed. (more…)

Most notebook batteries are lithium ion. Lithium ion batteries can slowly lose their capacity to hold a charge. But they hold their charge better over some time compared to other rechargeables like nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride.

Shut Down (or Hibernate) instead of Stand By. There are things you can do to extend the charge of your batteries when you’re using your notebook on battery power. You should shut down completely instead of putting computer on Stand By mode to preserve your battery power. The hibernate feature saves you computer’s state in your hard drive but completely shuts down the computer. (more…)