10 things that can go wrong when you upgrade your operating system

Upgrading to a new operating system — whether it’s one personal computer at home or an office full of workstations — can be a stressful experience. You do it to take advantage of new features or to be able to run new applications, but you approach it with trepidation because you know there are always things that can go wrong(SONY VGP-BPS13B/S Battery). In this article, we’ll look at some of those potential problems and explain how you can prevent them or work around them if they do occur.

1: Insufficient hardware

In general, new operating systems require heftier hardware than their predecessors. A system that runs the old OS just fine may run the new one very slowly or not at all, so be sure to check out the hardware requirements before you do the upgrade(SONY VGP-BPS13S Battery). You might need a faster processor and you almost always need more memory. Other components might need to be upgraded, too. For example, Windows Vista requires the proper video card to support the Aero interface(SONY VGP-BPS13AS Battery).

If you get the new operating system installed and find that performance is inadequate, you might be able to make the necessary hardware upgrades. However, if your computer needs several components upgraded to run the new OS, it might be less expensive to buy a new computer. And of course, if the system is a laptop, it may be difficult or impossible to upgrade the hardware to a level that will run the new OS(SONY VGP-BPS13A/S Battery).

2: Setup errors and freezes

Probably the worst case scenario is when the Setup process fails in the middle of an upgrade. This can leave you stuck in computer purgatory, with neither the old operating system nor the new one usable(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15G Battery).

A possible cause is insufficient disk space. According to Microsoft’s specifications, Vista Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate require at least a 40GB disk with 15 GB of free space. You might be able to install with less space, but you may encounter problems(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15T Battery).

This can also be caused by a hardware issue. For example, Vista seems to be more sensitive to a bad RAM module than XP. Replacing or removing the bad RAM allows Setup to proceed normally. In other cases, the problem may lie with the hard drive or with the optical drive running the installation media. Some users have solved this problem by installing drivers for the hard drive before selecting the drive on which to install the OS(SONY VGP-BPS13/B Battery).

3: Driver problems

Driver problems are one of the most common causes of all sorts of trouble connected with an OS upgrade. Just because you get through the installation process and the OS runs, that doesn’t mean things haven’t gone wrong. You may find that your soundcard no longer works or that you can’t print in the new OS. That’s usually a driver issue(Dell INSPIRON 1764 battery).

The first thing to do is check the Web site of the hardware component vendor for updated drivers. Unfortunately, vendors sometimes don’t update their drivers to work with the new operating system, especially on older devices. Sometimes, this is a technical issue, but the cynics among us will note that they have a vested interest in forcing you to buy a new card or printer(Dell INSPIRON 1564 battery).

4: Activation error

What could be worse than installing your new operating system and then, when you go to activate it, being told that you don’t have a genuine copy of Windows? Microsoft’s recent operating systems, including Windows XP and Vista, use Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) technology(Dell INSPIRON 1464 battery), which requires activation after installation (and after you upgrade certain hardware components). If you don’t activate Vista within 30 days, it will go into a limited functionality mode, where you can no longer use the Aero interface and will lose other premium features(Dell INSPIRON 1420 battery).

However, Vista Service Pack 1 (due to be released in early 2008) is supposed to change this behavior so that systems identified as non-genuine will pop up a nag screen but won’t have their functionality disabled. Even a nag screen is an irritant, though, if you mistakenly get caught up in the cogs of the antipiracy mechanism(Dell INSPIRON E1505 battery).

If the validation tool won’t run on your computer (and thus prevents you from downloading updates), the first thing to do is run the WGA diagnostics(Dell INSPIRON 1525 battery).

5: Application incompatibilities

Another common thing that goes wrong when upgrading an OS is that you’re no longer able to run some applications. This can be mildly annoying if your favorite game won’t work, but it can be a minor catastrophe if a mission-critical business application fails to run(SONY VGP-BPS13B/B Battery).

In some cases, you can get an uncooperative application to work by running it in compatibility mode. In Vista, navigate to the program’s executable and right-click it, select Properties, and then click the Compatibility tab. Select the Run This Program In Compatibility Mode For check box. Then, in the drop-down box, select the operating system under which you were previously running it (for example, Windows XP (Service Pack 2) (SONY VGP-BPS13 Battery).

If this doesn’t work, another solution is to run the older OS, such as XP, in a virtual machine using VM software, such as Virtual PC or VMWare. Install your incompatible applications on the virtual machine and you can use them in a window on your Vista desktop. Be aware that you need to have a license for the older OS to run it in a VM(HP PAVILION DV6000 battery).

Of course, another option is to upgrade your applications to versions that are compatible with Vista.

6: Wrong OS edition

What else can go wrong when you upgrade your OS? With Vista, especially, you might finish the upgrade process and discover that you’ve upgraded to the wrong edition. That’s because Vista comes in four editions that are available at retail, each with its own set of features(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31B Battery).

What if you install Home Premium edition and then find that your computer can’t join your Windows domain? Or you install Business edition, only to find that Windows DVD Maker is missing? Did you know that Home Basic doesn’t support the Aero interface that gives Vista its special “eye candy” look(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31M Battery)?

Be sure to determine exactly what features you want and need before selecting an edition for installation. You can find a quick features comparison of the Vista editions on the Microsoft site. If you do install the wrong edition, all is not lost. Through the Anytime Upgrade program, you can get a more feature-filled edition of Vista online. Find out more about that here(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31J Battery).

7: Data loss

Your data is the most precious thing on your computer. The operating system and applications can be reinstalled, but data is often unique and you might not ever be able to re-create it. Upgrading your operating system (as opposed to wiping the drive and doing a fresh installation) should leave your data intact, but what if something goes wrong(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31E Battery)?

It’s best, as a matter of course, to store user data on a different partition from the one on which the operating system is installed. Storing it on a different physical hard disk is even better, and for the best protection of your data, store it on a server or other computer on the network. Wherever you store it, make sure it’s backed up regularly — especially just before you perform an upgrade of the OS(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S battery).

Loss of valuable data is one of the most frustrating, but also the most easily preventable, things that can go wrong when you upgrade the operating system(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31z Battery).

8: Performance problems

Your upgrade installation proceeded without problems, but when you reboot and start using the system, you discover that the new OS runs much more slowly than the old one did. What’s up with that? Usually the problem comes down to one of the items discussed above: insufficient hardware, the wrong drivers, application incompatibility, etc(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ38M Battery).

One of the most frequent complaints about Vista is that it lags in performance when compared to Windows XP. Short of upgrading the hardware, there are ways to increase performance, such as using ReadyBoost, disabling certain services, using CPU priority settings, or even turning off Aero. See “Follow these tips to boost Vista performance” for additional details(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ210CE Battery).

9: Permissions/access problems

You’ve upgraded to a new operating system and now you’re being denied access to some of your files. Here’s a common scenario: You try to open a folder called Documents, but you get an “access denied” message. It may be that what you’re clicking on isn’t the Documents folder at all, but a “junction” or type of shortcut. Read more about that here(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ160 Battery).

This can also happen with real files and folders if your user account information has changed in the new version of Windows. Or you might be trying to access system files. You may be able to fix the problem by taking ownership of the object. You’ll need to be logged on as an administrator to do that. For more on how this works, see “Easier Way to Take Ownership and Grant Access Files or Directories in Vista(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21 Battery).”

Another possibility is that the file or folder was encrypted with EFS in Windows XP Pro. If you’ve now installed Windows Vista Home Basic or Home Premium edition, EFS isn’t fully supported. However, if you have the EFS certificate that was used to encrypt the file, you can decrypt it at the command prompt. For more information on how to do that, see “Troubleshoot “access denied” when opening files or folders(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21m Battery).”

10: Interface problems/learning curve

Although learning a new interface is always part of the process of upgrading the operating system, you can certainly feel as though something has gone terribly wrong if you discover that you no longer know how to do simple tasks or you simply don’t like the new ways of doing things(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11z Battery). You can ease your transition to a new operating system such as Vista by configuring settings to make the interface look and behave more like the older and more familiar versions of Windows. You can change the desktop back to the classic theme, get back the old hourglass wait cursor, set the OS to use the classic Start menu, return Control Panel to the old, classic look, and so forth(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11l Battery).

Something you should know about rootkits

Rootkits are complex and ever changing, which makes it difficult to understand exactly what you’re dealing with. Even so, I’d like to take a stab at explaining them, so that you’ll have a fighting chance if you’re confronted with one(Sony VGP-BPS13A/S battery).

1: What is a rootkit?

Breaking the term rootkit into the two component words, root and kit, is a useful way to define it. Root is a UNIX/Linux term that’s the equivalent of Administrator in Windows. The word kit denotes programs that allow someone to obtain root/admin-level access to the computer by executing the programs in the kit — all of which is done without end-user consent or knowledge(Sony VGP-BPS13B/S battery).

2: Why use a rootkit?

Rootkits have two primary functions: remote command/control (back door) and software eavesdropping. Rootkits allow someone, legitimate or otherwise, to administratively control a computer. This means executing files, accessing logs, monitoring user activity, and even changing the computer’s configuration(Sony VGP-BPS13S battery). Therefore, in the strictest sense, even versions of VNC are rootkits. This surprises most people, as they consider rootkits to be solely malware, but in of themselves they aren’t malicious at all(Sony VGP-BPS13AS battery).

One famous (or infamous, depending on your viewpoint) example of rootkit use was Sony BMG’s attempt to prevent copyright violations. Sony BMG didn’t tell anyone that it placed DRM software on home computers when certain CDs were played. On a scary note, the rootkit hiding technique Sony used was so good not one antivirus or anti-spyware application detected it(Sony PCGA-BP2EA battery).

3: How do rootkits propagate?

Rootkits can’t propagate by themselves, and that fact has precipitated a great deal of confusion. In reality, rootkits are just one component of what is called a blended threat. Blended threats typically consist of three snippets of code: a dropper, loader, and rootkit(Sony VGP-BPS13/B battery).

The dropper is the code that gets the rootkit’s installation started. Activating the dropper program usually entails human intervention, such as clicking on a malicious e-mail link. Once initiated, the dropper launches the loader program and then deletes itself. Once active, the loader typically causes a buffer overflow, which loads the rootkit into memory(Sony VGP-BPS13/S battery).

Blended threat malware gets its foot in the door through social engineering, exploiting known vulnerabilities, or even brute force. Here are two examples of some current and successful exploits(Sony VGP-BPS13A/B battery):

IM. One approach requires computers with IM installed (not that much of a stretch). If the appropriate blended threat gains a foothold on just one computer using IM, it takes over the IM client, sending out messages containing malicious links to everyone on the contact list. When the recipient clicks on the link (social engineering, as it’s from a friend), that computer becomes infected and has a rootkit on it as well(Sony VGP-BPS13B/B battery).

Rich content. The newest approach is to insert the blended threat malware into rich-content files, such as PDF documents. Just opening a malicious PDF file will execute the dropper code, and it’s all over(Sony VGN-FZ11E battery).

4: User-mode rootkits

There are several types of rootkits, but we’ll start with the simplest one. User-mode rootkits run on a computer with administrative privileges. This allows user-mode rootkits to alter security and hide processes, files, system drivers, network ports, and even system services. User-mode rootkits remain installed on the infected computer by copying required files to the computer’s hard drive, automatically launching with every system boot(Sony VGN-FZ38 battery).

Sadly, user-mode rootkits are the only type that antivirus or anti-spyware applications even have a chance of detecting. One example of a user-mode rootkit is Hacker Defender. It’s an old rootkit, but it has an illustrious history(Sony VGN-FZ37 battery). If you read the link about Hacker Defender, you will learn about Mark Russinovich, his rootkit detection tool called Rootkit Revealer, and his cat-and-mouse struggle with the developer of Hacker Defender(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21J battery).

5: Kernel-mode rootkit

Malware developers are a savvy bunch. Realizing that rootkits running in user-mode can be found by rootkit detection software running in kernel-mode, they developed kernel-mode rootkits, placing the rootkit on the same level as the operating system and rootkit detection software(Sony VGN-FZ70B battery). Simply put, the OS can no longer be trusted. One kernel-mode rootkit that’s getting lots of attention is the Da IOS rootkit, developed by Sebastian Muniz and aimed at Cisco’s IOS operating system(Sony VGN-FZ72B battery).

Instability is the one downfall of a kernel-mode rootkit. If you notice that your computer is blue-screening for other than the normal reasons, it just might be a kernel-mode rootkit(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31J battery ).

6: User-mode/kernel-mode hybrid rootkit

Rootkit developers, wanting the best of both worlds, developed a hybrid rootkit that combines user-mode characteristics (easy to use and stable) with kernel-mode characteristics (stealthy). The hybrid approach is very successful and the most popular rootkit at this time(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31B battery).

7: Firmware rootkits

Firmware rootkits are the next step in sophistication. This type of rootkit can be any of the other types with an added twist; the rootkit can hide in firmware when the computer is shut down. Restart the computer, and the rootkit reinstalls itself. The altered firmware could be anything from microprocessor code to PCI expansion card firmware(Sony VGN-FW11M battery). Even if a removal program finds and eliminates the firmware rootkit, the next time the computer starts, the firmware rootkit is right back in business.

8: Virtual rootkits

Virtual rootkits are a fairly new and innovative approach. The virtual rootkit acts like a software implementation of hardware sets in a manner similar to that used by VMware(Sony VGN-FW11 battery). This technology has elicited a great deal of apprehension, as virtual rootkits are almost invisible. The Blue Pill is one example of this type of rootkit. To the best of my knowledge, researchers haven’t found virtual rootkits in the wild. Ironically, this is because virtual rootkits are complex and other types are working so well(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18S battery).

9: Generic symptoms of rootkit infestation

Rootkits are frustrating. By design, it’s difficult to know if they are installed on a computer. Even experts have a hard time but hint that installed rootkits should get the same consideration as other possible reasons for any decrease in operating efficiency. Sorry for being vague, but that’s the nature of the beast. Here’s a list of noteworthy symptoms(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E battery ):

If the computer locks up or fails to respond to any kind of input from the mouse or keyboard, it could be due to an installed kernel-mode rootkit.

Settings in Windows change without permission. Examples of this could be the screensaver changing or the taskbar hiding itself(Sony VGN-FZ190E battery).

Web pages or network activities appear to be intermittent or function improperly due to excessive network traffic.

If the rootkit is working correctly, most of these symptoms aren’t going to be noticeable. By definition, good rootkits are stealthy. The last symptom (network slowdown) should be the one that raises a flag. Rootkits can’t hide traffic increases, especially if the computer is acting as a spam relay or participating in a DDoS attack(Sony VGN-FZ11L battery).

10: Polymorphism

I debated whether to include polymorphism as a topic, since it’s not specific to rootkits. But it’s amazing technology that makes rootkits difficult to find. Polymorphism techniques allow malware such as rootkits to rewrite core assembly code, which makes using antivirus/anti-spyware signature-based defenses useless(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M battery). Polymorphism even gives behavioral-based (heuristic) defenses a great deal of trouble. The only hope of finding rootkits that use polymorphism is technology that looks deep into the operating system and then compares the results to a known good baseline of the system(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31M battery).

11: Detection and removal

You all know the drill, but it’s worth repeating. Be sure to keep antivirus/anti-spyware software (and in fact, every software component of the computer) up to date. That will go a long way toward keeping malware away. Keeping everything current is hard, but a tool such as Secunia’s Vulnerability Scanning program can help(Sony VGN-FZ11M battery).

Detection and removal depends on the sophistication of the rootkit. If the rootkit is of the user-mode variety, any one of the following rootkit removal tools will most likely work(Sony VGN-FZ11Z battery):

F-Secure Blacklight

RootkitRevealer

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

ProcessGuard

Rootkit Hunter (Linux and BSD)

The problem with these tools is that you can’t be sure they’ve removed the rootkit. Albeit more labor-intensive, using a bootable CD, such as BartPE, with an antivirus scanner will increase the chances of detecting a rootkit, simply because rootkits can’t obscure their tracks when they aren’t running. I’m afraid that the only way to know for sure is to have a clean computer, take a baseline, and then use an application like Encase to check for any additional code(Sony VGN-FZ220E battery).

Final thoughts

Opinions vary when it comes to rootkit removal, as discussed in the NetworkWorld article “Experts divided over rootkit detection and removal.” Although the article is two years old, the information is still relevant. There’s some hope, though: Intel’s Trusted Platform Module (TPM) has been cited as a possible solution to malware infestation. The problem with TPM is that it’s somewhat controversial. Besides, it will take years before sufficient numbers of computers have processors with TPM(Sony VGN-SZ55 battery).

Some ways to learn new skills on the cheap

The one thing we know for sure about IT is that the technology is constantly changing. Staying current with that technology, and acquiring the skills to support it, is a career necessity. Whether you simply need to learn the latest techniques or you want to completely retool(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11S Battery), if your employer or client does not fund the training, it could be very expensive for you. Fortunately, there are some low/no-cost alternatives to conventional training programs that might even be more effective and be a better fit for your learning style(sony vgp-bpl9 battery).

1: Public library

As obvious as this resource is, I am always surprised at how many people never think of it. Though some of the material may not be the latest, you might be surprised, especially if you have access to a fairly large metropolitan library(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ190 Battery). Do not forget about videos and DVDs either, especially for training on less technical, common applications, such as QuickBooks or Microsoft Access. If you are looking for business or methodology training, you may also want to look for audio books(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ150E Battery). You may not be able to find detailed information on the Rational Unified Process (RUP), but Six Sigma and other initiatives in which your company or client may be involved may well be there. Audio books also enable you to convert idle drive time, or exercise time, into a value-add for you and your client(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11l Battery).

If you are stuck in a small town with limited resources, consider approaching a larger library system to become a guest patron. Many times this is available to the public for a fee, but your local library may also have a reciprocal agreement with them, in which case access to the other library system may be free(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11z Battery). Also, if you do teaching at a school of any type, you may be granted access to a library system if you can show proof of your status as a teacher.

University libraries are another rich store of material from which you can learn new skills. But unless you are a student at the school, it may be less than straightforward to check out materials(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11m Battery). If the university is state-funded, you might be permitted to check out material if you are a resident of the state. If the university you approach does not permit you to check out material, you can always make a routine of camping out there for a couple of hours each week and learning on the premises(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ18m Battery).

2: Company library/resources

Many companies have their own libraries and training that are available for the asking. Training is usually a part of human resources, so you might start there if the company doesn’t have a formal training department(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21m Battery). If you are an independent consultant, does your client have a library you could tap into? It has been my experience that clients are generally quite willing to open up their training to outside consultants, especially if the training makes the consultants more effective in working with them(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ210CE Battery).

If there is a cost associated with the training, however, reimbursement can be complicated, as clients usually lack a process for accepting that type of payment. Very large companies have particularly difficult time accepting money for training, but do not give up. Your client’s department may still be willing to carry your training if they see a material benefit(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31z Battery).

3: Vendor training

It is to a vendor’s advantage to have you use their product, and use it effectively. To that end, many vendors offer training for little or no cost. This training is made available in a variety of formats, including(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S battery):

Training sessions at conferences and trade fairs

White papers

Online tutorials

Online/on-demand videos

Special training events

You will not find a five-day intensive training session available for free, but you can still learn quite a bit from these free vendor resources. The more prepared you go into a vendor’s event, including being armed with questions, the more you will gain from the experience(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31E Battery).

4: Podcasts

Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular among the typical channel of technical media and vendors. They include product information or interviews with experts in a particular field and tend to cover fairly narrow topics(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31J Battery), such as the software quality topics offered by StickyMinds. There are also a number of resources from more public sources, such as iPod and YouTube. These may come from a number of academic sources, or they may be the product of someone who simply has a passion for the subject(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31M Battery).

5: Webinars/webcasts and virtual trade shows

One of the greatest developments for people who actually have to work for a living, webinars and virtual trade shows offer a no-travel way to accomplish in an hour what used to take an entire day. Virtual trade shows are not as well attended by vendors as live trade shows(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31B Battery), but as vendors figure out how to use the new venue, I expect more will start to join in. Advantages, besides the obvious lack of travel and enormous time savings, include having a fairly narrow topic focus and relatively easy access to representatives. There are also some pretty awesome networking opportunities, as well(HP PAVILION DV6000 battery).

Webinars usually consist of an industry expert providing general information, followed by product information from the sponsoring vendor. The product typically has some tie to the overall topic, and many times(SONY VGP-BPS13 Battery), the product information portion of the webinar may be as informative as the general topic portion. If the sponsor has a broader interest in the industry, such as an association or a publisher, the entire webinar may be information-oriented, with no product application(SONY VGP-BPS13B/B Battery).

Various webcasts can be found at TechRepublic, as well as at other publishers.

6: Associations and user groups

National organizations typically have a number of resources that you, as a member, can participate in. These may include online libraries, peer forums, and training courses. There may be a cost associated with some of this training, and access to some of the resources may require a paid(Dell INSPIRON E1505 battery), or premium (read: more expensive), membership. But when you consider that a membership to the Association of Computing Machinery, for example, can give you access to more than 1,100 books online, in addition to their journals and proceedings, it might well be worth the annual membership fee(Dell INSPIRON 1420 battery).

User groups, or other local groups that share your interest in a particular topic, offer a great forum to learn and share information for little or no cost. Special interest groups (SIGs) within the user group offer further topic specialization and can be a tremendous way to learn or be mentored(Dell INSPIRON 1520 battery). Check with vendors that interest you, as they may maintain a list of user groups in your area that relate to your product. Microsoft, for example, has a site with user group information, as do other major manufacturers. Consider, also, simple word of mouth and the “community calendar” section of your local paper to find out about upcoming meetings of groups that may interest you(Dell INSPIRON 1464 battery).

7: Volunteering

The best way to learn is by doing. However, most companies are not willing to pay you while you learn. If you have all of the books and tutorials, but just need to get your hands dirty, why not volunteer to do a project for someone for free(Dell INSPIRON 1564 battery)? Churches and nonprofits might need some work done that you can help with. A new Web site, a donor tracking system, or automation of monthly billing are all things that might benefit them and can give you the hands-on experience you need to approach a prospective employer or client. This is an especially good approach if you are trying to retool yourself with some new technology, or least a technology that is new to you(Dell INSPIRON 1764 battery).

This same approach can be applied in an incremental fashion with existing work you may be doing. Can you work a little beyond your current job description? If you are working within an old development methodology, for example, but want to try what you have learned about RUP, redo a portion of your work in the style of the new methodology, such as use cases(SONY VGP-BPS13/B Battery). There is nothing like trying a skill on a real project to give you a real sense of the process, and sometimes a real sense of how much you still need to learn. Who knows — besides getting some great experience, you might even start to convert your team to the new process (but don’t get your hopes up) (Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15T Battery).

8: The Internet

Who has not Googled to learn more on a topic or to clear up an office dispute on the origins of some phrase or song lyric? This same resource is a great learning tool. A simple topic search can produce content from college courses, vendor training, and government information sites. Don’t be surprised if some of this content offers better explanations than some text books(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15G Battery).

Online publishers are another great source for information to enhance your skills. Consider dropping a topic that interests you into the search field at a site such as DevX, and you may be surprised how much detail you will find(SONY VGP-BPS13A/S Battery).

9: Continuing education

Continuing education programs, also called adult education or community outreach, offer nondegree classes that are generally conducted in the evening for a modest fee. Besides the stereotypic class on how to weave a basket, many programs also offer database, networking(SONY VGP-BPS13AS Battery), and a number of other technology classes. Many of these programs are run through high schools and colleges, so if you are not aware of any programs in your area, start by checking with your local high school, career center, or university for contact information(SONY VGP-BPS13S Battery).

10: Community college

State-run community colleges generally offer a number of affordable classes you can take without seeking a degree. Many of these colleges offer technology and programming classes. Because you have probably not taken the prerequisites for the class, you may need the permission of the instructor(SONY VGP-BPS13B/S Battery), but that should not be a problem if you are already a professional in the field. These programs are usually far less expensive than your typical week-long vendor training and are usually scheduled during the evening to minimize the impact on your workday. There may also be for-profit community colleges in your area. But since they may lack public subsidies, be prepared to pay substantially more for their course offerings(HP PAVILION DV3000 Battery).

One less hurdle

Limited time, family demands, and travel may still keep you from dedicating to learning a new skill, but if you’re creative, cost doesn’t have to be an obstacle. In fact, the nature of some of these suggested training alternatives lend themselves nicely to working around the time and travel constraints that are so often a barrier. Take advantage of as many of these training approaches as you can, and you will have one less hurdle to moving your career forward(Dell Inspiron 6000 battery).

10 pieces of hardware you should replace rather than repair

Any time a computer component stops working, or just becomes unstable — as we all know will happen from time to time — we have to decide whether to replace it, have it repaired, or just get by as is with perhaps a temporary fix. Repair or just getting by will nearly always be the cheapest solution, at least in the short run(Sony VGP-BPL11 battery). Replacement, however, will usually provide a good opportunity to upgrade. In fact, given the rate at which the various technologies behind computer hardware are advancing, unless you replace something a week after you buy it, you may almost be forced to upgrade(Sony VGP-BPS11 battery).Following are a few items which, if replaced (and generally upgraded), can provide excellent benefits, from an enhanced user experience to additional compatibility, greater longevity, and stability for the whole system(Sony VGP-BPS10 battery).

1: Power supply

One of the most overlooked pieces of computer hardware is the power supply unit (PSU). Computer enthusiasts often brag about their blazing fast processors, top-of-the- line video cards, and gigs upon gigs of RAM, but rarely about their great PSUs( Sony VGP-BPS3 battery).

The truth is, the power supply is the last thing we should skimp on when choosing components for our system. If a computer’s brain is its processor, its heart is the power supply. And having one that is worn out, underpowered, unstable, or just generally cheap can be a major cause of hardware failure(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21M battery ).

Every computer’s power requirements are different, but a good minimum for a modern PC is 450 watts. Some systems, especially those with multiple high-end video cards or lots of add-on cards and peripherals may require a PSU rated at 800 watts or more. Replacing a failing or inadequate power supply can make a previously unstable system stable(Sony VGN-FZ150E battery).

Aside from supplying enough power, that power must be supplied stably. A common cause of “unexplained” lockups and system crashes is a drop in voltage supplied to the system when under load, caused by a poorly manufactured PSU. The easiest way to find a quality PSU is to stick to the consistently top brands such as Antec, EnerMax, and PC Power & Cooling(Sony VGN-FZ31E battery).

2: Fans

As computers have gotten more powerful over the last decades, they have also gotten hotter. Gone are the days of a passively cooled Pentium 100; now we have fans on our massive CPU heatsinks, on our monster video cards, and on intake and outtake vents to our computer cases(Sony VGN-FZ180E battery). All of these fans are playing important roles by keeping our computers safely cooled, and we should try to ensure that they continue doing so.

Fans are one of the few parts that when replaced will not usually be replaced with something better. But they deserve mention because(Sony VGP-BPL4 battery):

As one of the few moving parts in our system, they are one of the most likely to actually break.

When they break, it’s likely to pass unnoticed or not cause much concern.

Also, fans are cheap and easy to replace. It generally takes about 10 dollars, 15 minutes, and a screwdriver to install a new one, so there’s really no good excuse for not doing so(Sony PCGA-BP2E battery).

3: Surge protector / UPS

This is another item that keeps our computers safe and should not be neglected. A surge protector can be a stand-alone power strip, but one is also built into virtually every uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The surge protector guards our devices against spikes in energy that occur in our circuits at the home or office(Sony VGN-FZ11S battery), usually due to lightning or the powering up of high-powered devices, such as hair dryers or refrigerators. Repairing a surge protector would be difficult and expensive at best; replacement is almost always the best option(Sony VGN-FZ17 battery).

It can be tricky to know when it’s time to replace a surge protector, because the component inside that diverts excess power from surges to the ground simply wears out with repeated use(Sony VGP-BPS18 battery). However, there is often no interruption of power or other indication that it’s done. You may still have juice but not be protected. The cheapest protectors may wear out after fewer than 10 small surges, while the better ones can last through hundreds. The safest thing to do is to get higher quality protectors but still replace them occasionally(Sony VGP-BPS15 battery).

4: Video card

The video card is one of the most important elements in the performance of your system and overall user experience. Even though it is also one of the priciest components, there are two good reasons to replace it should your old one bite the dust(Sony VGP-BPL12 battery).

First, video cards are one of the components that are being improved upon seemingly every day. Just like with CPUs, a video card that’s two years old simply isn’t as fast as a current one and won’t have the newest features (such as support for DirectX 10) (Sony VGP-BPL7 battery).

Also, the video card is the number one hardware stopgap as we migrate to Vista. Manufacturers just aren’t providing new Vista-compatible drivers for lots of their old video cards. This means that many of us will have to replace our video cards whether they are broken or not, if we plan to switch to Vista(Sony VGN-FZ220E battery).

5: Flash media reader

All kinds of devices use flash cards these days: cameras, MP3 players, even cell phones. These small devices let us take our data anywhere easily. Since it seems as if every device uses a different format of flash media, most of us have all-in-one type card readers. If the reader breaks or gets lost (which seems to happen a lot), there are two excellent reasons for upgrading to a newer model instead of trying to repair the old one(Sony VGN-FZ11Z battery).

First, many old card readers are USB 1.1. The newer ones use USB 2.0 instead, which is 40 times faster. This is more than enough reason to replace an old reader, even if it’s not broken(Sony VGN-FZ11M battery).

In addition, new formats are constantly coming out for flash cards, and when they do, you need a new reader to use them. For example, Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) and xD from Fujifilm are not supported by older readers(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31M battery).

6: CD/DVD drives

Considering that it has moving, spinning parts, the average CD/DVD drive is actually fairly robust. Because of that, however, many people are still using old read-only (or CD RW) drives instead of amazingly cheap (and handy) DVD writers. If you’re still using an old drive and it finally gives up the ghost, you’ll probably be glad it did when you replace it with a DVD/CD RW combo drive for less than 50 dollars(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z battery).

7: Hard drives

The computer component we all least want to fail is the hard drive. It’s easier to cope with the loss of the much more expensive processor or video card as long as we still have our precious data, so your first instinct is to try to repair it. But if you’ve been practicing good backup habits, you can actually come out of the situation better off when you replace the old drive with something bigger and faster(Sony VGN-FZ19VN battery).

The “giant” 100-GB hard drive of a few years ago is no longer so large. Today, you can get 750 GB for less than 200 bucks. In addition to being much, much larger, newer hard drives will generally be Serial ATA II (SATA II) (Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M battery), which has a maximum data transfer rate of about 300 MB/s as opposed to SATA I’s 150 MB/s and the older Parallel ATA (PATA) rate of 133 MB/s. SATA II is fairly new, so many motherboards don’t support it. But even if yours doesn’t, the SATA II drives generally have a jumper that can put them in SATA I mode(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S battery).

TIP: Right now, most SATA II hard drives ship with this limiting jumper in place by default, so if your board does support SATA II, be sure to change the jumper before you install the drive(Sony VGN-FZ11L battery).

8: Monitor

With the exception of servers, a computer isn’t much good without a monitor. Monitors rarely make it all the way to the stage of completely not working, because we replace them when they start to fade. If you replace a monitor that’s more than a few years old, the new will likely not much resemble the old(Sony VGN-FZ190 battery).

Any reluctance you may have had to switch from the giant 50-pound cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor to a slim and featherweight liquid crystal display (LCD) should be gone by now. The gap in performance in terms of color rendering and refresh rates between CRTs and LCDs is very small(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21E battery ). Unless you’re a graphics designer who needs a multi-thousand dollar large screen CRT, the benefits of size, weight, power consumption, and less eye fatigue that LCDs enjoy will far outweigh any small performance advantages of a CRT. With the exception of the extremely high and extremely low end markets, it’s quite hard to find a new CRT monitor anyway(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21S battery).

If you were already using an LCD that’s a few years old, when you replace it you’ll enjoy those leaps in performance that the LCDs have made in the last few years(Sony VGN-FW11 battery).

9: Keyboard

Since so many of us spend hours every day banging away at them, it’s important to have a keyboard that’s comfortable and efficient. And since we use them so much and often so brutally, it is no wonder that they break often. Keys come off, get stuck, or just get really dirty. When these things happen, you should usually go ahead and replace the keyboard rather than live with the hassle(Sony VGN-FW11M battery).

Today’s keyboards have new, handy features. Some have built in user-defined macro keys for often-repeated commands; some can fold up for easy transportability; some have built-in ports so they can double as USB hubs. There is a keyboard with some unique feature to suit nearly anyone’s needs(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31B battery).

10: Motherboard and processor

Replacing the motherboard is always the most involved upgrade. Since it usually means “starting over” with a clean installation of the operating system, lots of people are reluctant to change to a newer board even when the old one gives up the ghost, preferring instead to replace it with the exact same model, thus avoiding having to wipe the OS. However, since a motherboard upgrade is the most involved, it also can give the widest range of benefits(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31J battery ).

First and foremost, replacing the motherboard usually gives us the chance to upgrade to the latest processor technology. Today, you can get the benefits of a dual or even quad CPU setup with only one processor, thanks to multi-core technology, in which more than one processing core is placed on a single wafer. In a multitasking or multithreaded environment, this effectively increases your computer’s performance by a factor of two or four(Sony VGN-FZ62B battery).

Additionally, upgrading the motherboard gives you access to new technologies for other components. PATA and SATA I hard drives (and optical drives) can be upgraded to SATA II. AGP video cards can be upgraded to PCI-E. USB 1.1 ports become USB 2.0. The list goes on for virtually every component. Sometimes, even though it can be a pain, starting over can be the best thing(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21J battery).

Some things to look for in an offsite backup provider

Automated offsite backup services are all the rage. Spare Backup, Dr. Backup, Remote Data Backups, and Mozy Online Backup are among some of the best-known contenders(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15G Battery).

Unlike online storage services, such as those offered by ADrive, Xdrive, and Amazon with its Simple Storage Service (S3), offsite backup providers offer not only gigabytes of offsite file storage but also automated backup software designed to automatically back up the data you specify(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15T Battery). That’s a critical difference that should be noted: Online storage services don’t provide automated backup functionality. Sure, online storage services are cheaper. But they’re useless in protecting your data if you forget to manually back up files every day as they change or as new files are created(SONY VGP-BPS13/B Battery).

Unfortunately, not all offsite backup services are created equal. Some of the services work better than others, and pricing varies, as does the quality of the automated backup software. Here are some things to keep in mind as you evaluate offsite backup providers(Dell INSPIRON 1764 battery).

1: Reliable software

Backup firms, like any other service provider, will promise the world. But actually delivering on all the promises (simple backup configuration, HIPAA-compliant security, easy recovery, seamless integration in Windows, etc.) is another matter altogether(Dell INSPIRON 1564 battery).

I’ve sampled and deployed automated backup services from a number of providers. Some that propose to provide easy 1-2-3 backup operations fail to run, prove incompatible on server platforms, or generate cryptic errors(Dell INSPIRON 1464 battery).

Backups are too important to trust to chance. Make sure that the backup software you deploy works well on the OS platforms you require. Many automated offsite backup services run best on Windows XP, while others perform well on Windows Vista and Windows server OSes. The only way to really know is to test a service’s application before rolling it out on production systems. That’s why item #8 (free trials) is so important, but more on that in a moment(Dell INSPIRON 1520 battery).

2: Storage plans that meet your needs

Some offsite backup services bill by the gigabyte. That’s fine. There’s no trouble there, other than the fact that the fee structure makes budgeting backup costs more difficult(Dell INSPIRON 1420 battery).

Other service providers, though, sell accounts with specific storage limits (100MB, 4GB, 10GB, etc.) and flat fees. Those plans work well and simplify budgeting, at least until organizations unexpectedly exceed their storage limits(Dell INSPIRON E1505 battery).

Look for service providers with storage limits or pricing plans that meet your organization’s needs while also proving flexible. Remote Data Backups, for example, makes it easy (just a few clicks) to upgrade from a 4GB account to a 10GB plan (or from a 10GB to a 30GB account). Clients need only pay the difference between the two storage plans (not start from scratch) (Dell INSPIRON 1525 battery).

3: Stellar reporting tools

A leading benefit of automated backup services is peace of mind. Knowing critical data is automatically being backed up offsite is more than just a relief. With critical data safely secured, you can move on to addressing other tasks(ASUS EEE PC900 battery).

IT professionals, though, are typically (and rightfully so) a skeptical crowd. So they want, or require, more than just a promise that critical data is being backed up; they need confirmation(ASUS EEE PC battery).

4: An approachable backup application

The backup application itself must be easy to use and as close to foolproof as possible. Many leverage Windows Explorer-like interfaces (Figure B), where you just need to check boxes for those files and folders that require backing up(SONY VGP-BPS13B/B Battery).

Take advantage of a trial period. Work first hand with the software. Confirm the service’s backup application and interface are sufficiently simple to avoid confusion but flexible enough to meet the organization’s needs(SONY VGP-BPS13 Battery).

In most cases, backup software isn’t Microsoft Exchange aware (or can’t properly back up active databases). In such circumstances, confirm that you can automate an Exchange or database backup (using Windows’ built-in or another locally installed backup program) and have the alternative backup program park copies of the backups it creates in folders the backup provider’s software can accommodate. Better yet(HP PAVILION DV6000 battery), seek backup applications that can manage active database and e-mail systems’ data (but be prepared to pay handsomely for the privilege — I’ve yet to find one that justifies the cost) (SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31B Battery).

5: Simple recovery

When hard disks fail, users accidentally delete files, or other systems errors occur, IT professionals need to be able to recover files quickly. Conduct tests of backup providers’ recovery functions to confirm that file recovery is simple, fast, and secure(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31M Battery).

In other words, make sure it’s easy for you to recover data that’s been backed up offsite but that unauthorized parties won’t be able to do the same(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31J Battery).

6: Secure file transfer

Security has always been an issue with backups. Whether strategies involved giving one set of IT pros backup rights and another set restoration privileges, organizations have always struggled for a reasonable balance between security and operational efficiency when addressing backup issues(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31E Battery).

Security remains a concern when selecting an automated offsite backup provider. Insist on deploying a service that meets HIPAA and SOX/Accounting security requirements. Most backup providers support at least 128-bit AES encryption and SSL security. Don’t work with a provider offering anything less(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S battery).

Further, when creating automated offsite backup accounts, protect the account information (and recovery hashes or passwords) carefully. Distribute such keys sparingly and change them whenever technology employees leave the organization(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31z Battery).

7: 24/7 support

Disk failures and other data loss episodes don’t always occur during office hours, and they almost always require repair and recovery operations after hours (to minimize disruption to other users). Thus, you should confirm that your backup service provider’s technicians will be available when you need them most. Many backup providers boast 24/7 support. Before signing any contracts or purchasing service, make sure you’ll be able to reach its support personnel during odd hours should troubleshooting assistance ever be required(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ38M Battery).

8: Free trials

The best way to determine whether an offsite backup provider works well for your organization is to sample its wares. Not only should you test the backup software application, support procedures, and reporting tools, but you should conduct a test recovery as well(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ210CE Battery).

Only by walking through the process (creating an account, installing the backup client application, running backup operations, contacting technical support, reviewing report files, and performing a data restore) can you accurately determine whether a backup service provider offers an approachable backup program, quality support, and reliable reporting and recovery processes(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21 Battery). Also, potential incompatibilities (between data files, databases, Windows, and the actual backup software itself) are too numerous to ever reasonably forecast, so the process of testing online backup tools on systems with similar configurations to those running in production environments will help eliminate any surprises and potential downtime when the time for real-world deployment arrives(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21m Battery).

9: Version tracking

Several backup providers support the ability to maintain multiple file versions. The ability to go back and reference several versions of a particular file can prove quite valuable(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ18m Battery).

When simple backup operations run, files from the previous backup (such as those backed up the night before) are written over. Most organizations back up data daily (at night). With such backup schedules, little time exists to discover errors (such as an accountant realizing he or she entered incorrect data in a budget file) (SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11m Battery). If such errors aren’t caught within a day, of course, the budget file with the correct data will be written over by the file containing errors that night. With versioning file systems, several versions (or historical copies) of the same file can be maintained to recover from just such mistakes(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11z Battery).

Look for this feature. It can bail out harried users who mistakenly corrupt good data.

10: E-mail alerts

Numerous distractions demand IT professionals’ attention. Whether failed routers, nonfunctioning remote connections, new user accounts, or other common break/fix issues arrest your workday, backup operations must still be monitored. Unfortunately, in the heat of putting out fires and attending other crises, it’s easy to overlook backup issues until it’s too late(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11l Battery).

Some offsite backup providers support sending alerts, bringing your attention to problems via e-mail. Without this feature, you might remain unaware that backups are failing or larger issues exist. By insisting on selecting a backup provider that supports forwarding e-mail alerts when backups fail or encounter errors, organizations can ensure their IT staff stays on top of backup operations and receive SOS messages when troubles do arise(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ150E Battery).

Rapid testing automotive and starter batteries

Portable batteries for cell phones, laptops and cameras may be rapid-tested by applying a number of load pulses while observing the relationship between voltage and current. Ohm's Law is used to calculate the internal resistance. Comparing the readings against a table of values estimates the battery's state-of-health(Sony VGP-BPL9 battery).

This load pulse method does not work well for larger batteries and AC conductance is commonly used. An AC voltage is applied to the battery terminals that floats as a ripple on top of the battery's DC voltage and charges and discharges the battery alternatively(Sony VGP-BPS13 battery).

AC conductance has been incorporated into a number of hand-held testers to check batteries for vehicular and stationary batteries. To offer simple and low-cost units, these testers load the battery with pulses rather than injecting sinusoidal signals(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21M battery ). The pulses are commonly not voltage controlled and the thermal battery voltage* may be surpassed. The thermal voltage threshold of a lead-acid battery is 25mV per cell. Exceeding this voltage is similar to over-driving an audio amplifier. Amplified noise and distortion is the result(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18M battery).

AC conductance provides accurate readings, provided the battery is fully charged, has rested or has been briefly discharged prior to taking the reading. AC conductance tends to become unreliable on low charge and sometimes fails a good battery(Sony VGN-FZ31E battery). At other times, a faulty battery may pass as good. The correlation to the battery's state-of-charge is a common complaint by users. AC conductance works best in identifying batteries with definite deficiencies(Sony VGN-FZ180E battery).

AC conductance is non-invasive, quick and the test instruments are relatively inexpensive. There are, however, some fundamental problems. Most commercial testers use only one frequency, which is commonly below 100 Hertz(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18G battery). Multi-frequency systems would be more accurate but require complex data interpretation software and expensive hardware. In this paper we focus on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), a method that overcomes some of the shortcomings of AC conductance(Sony VGN-FZ11S battery).

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* Batteries are non-linear systems. The equations, which govern the battery's response becomes linear below 25mV/cell at 25°C. This voltage is called the battery thermal voltage(Sony VGN-FZ220E battery).

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)

EIS evaluates the electrochemical characteristics of a battery by applying an AC potential at varying frequencies and measuring the current response of the electrochemical cell. The frequency may vary from about 100 micro Hertz (µHz) to 100 kilo Hertz (kHz). 100µHz is a very low frequency that takes more than two hours to complete one full cycle. In comparison, 100kHz completes 100,000 cycles in one second(Sony VGN-FZ11Z battery).

Applying various frequencies can be envisioned as going through different layers of the battery and examining its characteristics at all levels. Similar to tuning the dial on a broadcast radio, in which individual stations offer various types of music, so also does the battery provide different information at varying frequencies(Sony VGN-FZ11M battery).

Battery resistance consists of three types, which are: pure resistance, inductance and capacitance.

Capacitance is responsible for the capacitor effect; and the inductance is accountable for the so-called magnetic field, or coil effect. The voltage on a capacitor lags behind the current(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31M battery). On a magnetic coil, on the other hand, the current lags behind the voltage. When applying a sine wave to a battery, the reactive resistance produces a phase shift between voltage and current. This information is used to evaluate the battery(Sony VGN-FZ19VN battery).

EIS has been used for a number of years to perform in-flight analysis of satellite batteries, as well as estimating grid corrosion and water loss on aviation and stationary batteries. EIS gives the ability to observe the kinetic reaction of the electrodes and allows analyzing changes of analyze changes that occur in everyday battery usage(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S battery). Increases in impedance readings hint at minute intrusion of corrosion and other deficiencies. Impedance studies using the EIS methods have been carried out on lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal-hydride and lithium-ion batteries. Best results are obtained on a single cell(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ38M battery).

One of the difficulties of EIS is data interpretation. It is easy to amass a large amount of data; making practical use of it is more difficult. Analyzing the information is further complicated by the fact that the readings are not universal and do not apply equally to all battery makes and types(Sony VGN-FZ11L battery). Rather, each battery type generates its own set of signatures. Without well-defined reference readings and software to interpret the results, gathering information has little meaning for the ordinary person(Sony VGN-FW11M battery).

Modern technology can help by storing characteristic settings of a given battery type in the test instrument. Advanced digital signal processors are able to carry out millions of instructions per second. Software translates the data into a single reading. EIS has the potential of becoming a viable alternative to AC conductance in checking automotive, traction and stationary batteries. Noteworthy advancements are being made in his field(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31J battery ).

Commercializing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Cadex is developing a battery rapid test method incorporating EIS based techniques. Trademarked Spectro™, the system injects sinusoidal signals at multiple frequencies. The signals are voltage controlled and remain below the thermal battery voltage(Sony VGP-BPS13B/B battery).

Spectro™ is being tested on randomly sampled automotive batteries of various states-of-health conditions. Automotive batteries serve the purpose well because of easy availability. To demonstrate the accuracy, we tested six typical automotive batteries (A, B, C, D, E, and F) with various state-of-health conditions. The batteries are flooded lead acid of the same model(Sony VGP-BPS13A/B battery).

Prior to testing, the batteries were fully charged and the actual Cold Cranking Ampere (CCA) reading was established using standards developed under SAE J537. The batteries were then re-tested using the AC conductance and Spectro™ methods. The Spectro™ approximations were conducted using model-specific matrices(Sony VGP-BPS13/S battery).

Batteries arrive for testing in all conditions, including low state-of-charge (SoC). With AC conductance, the charge level affects the CCA readings to such a degree that the test results may become meaningless. To demonstrate SoC immunity of Spectro™, Spectro was used to estimate CCA at different charge levels(Sony VGP-BPS13/B battery).

Ideally, the line should be perfectly horizontal. Spectro™ departs only moderately within the 40-100% SoC range. In comparison, the CCA approximations using AC conductance show a strong departure from the horizontal line, caused by the charge level(Sony PCGA-BP2EA battery).

Although early test results conducted with the Spectro™ based technology demonstrate strong advantages over existing test methods, the electrical requirements and complexities are demanding. Injecting multi-frequency sinusoidal signals at controlled levels and processing reams of data will add cost(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11l Battery).

Research is continuing to include a broad range of battery sizes and chemistries, and to reduce the test time from two minutes to about 20 seconds per battery test. Patents for Spectr have been applied for(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11z Battery).

Advanced battery analyzers

How are batteries checked and serviced? This article describes the advancements of the modern battery analyzer and explains how these instruments are used in the industry. While organizations such as public safety have been using battery analyzers for the last two decades to restore and prolong nickel-cadmium batteries(Sony VGP-BPL9 battery), analyzers have made their way also into the cell phone, portable computing, medical and defense markets. The early models were impractical and did not adapt well to changing battery chemistries. In addition, the analyzers provided limited service and did not offer the quick test results and restoration capabilities customers demand today(Sony VGP-BPL11 battery).

The last few years have brought a rebirth of the battery analyzer. With the move from the high-maintenance nickel-based batteries to the maintenance-free lithium-based packs, the duty of a battery analyzer is changing from life-extending cycling to rapid testing and boosting(Sony VGP-BPL15 battery).

Fixed current analyzers

There are two basic types of battery analyzers: the fixed current and programmable versions. Fixed current units are the lower priced of the two, and charge and discharge a battery at a preset current of about 600mA. Smaller batteries get serviced reasonably fast but larger batteries are slow(Sony VGP-BPS11 battery). The service time of an 1800mAh battery is three times that of a 600mAh pack. The capacity readout is in mAh and reflects the length of discharge. The fixed-current analyzers are the predecessors of the programmable units(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21M battery).

Programmable analyzers

The programmable analyzers allow servicing the battery against preset parameters. The charge and discharge currents are adjusted according to the battery rating, and the voltage is set to flag batteries with incorrect voltages(Sony VGN-FZ15 battery). These analyzers provide more accurate readings and enable higher battery throughput than fixed current units. In addition, programmable analyzers are better suited to service new battery systems and have proven to be more effective in restoring weak batteries. The Cadex C7000-Series are such programmable battery analyzers(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ18M battery).

Battery adapters

Interfacing the batteries has always been a challenge with battery analyzers. Technicians have invented contraptions with springs and levers so complicated that only they themselves are able to operate. Everybody else stays away from them of fear(Sony VGN-FZ31E battery).

Cadex solved the battery interface issue with the custom adapters for common batteries and the universal adapters for specialty packs. The custom adapters are the easiest to use and provide the most accurate test results(Sony VGN-FZ18E battery). User-programmable cables accommodate larger batteries or assist when no adapter is on hand. Smaller batteries can be serviced with the Cadex FlexArm™. Two contact probes mounted on flexible arms provide the connection when lowered to the battery terminals(Sony VGN-FZ17 battery). Magnetic guides keep the battery in position and a temperature sensor safeguards the battery. Figure 1 illustrates the Cadex FlexArm(Sony VGP-BPS18 battery).

The Cadex adapters contain a memory chip that configures the analyzer to the correct setting. Each adapter stores 10 battery configuration codes to service 10 different battery types. The parameters can be edited with a few keystrokes on the analyzer's keypad(Sony VGN-FZ29VN battery).

Service programs

Advanced battery analyzers are capable of evaluating battery conditions and implementing corrective service to restore weak performance. The Cadex system, for example, automatically applies a recondition cycle to nickel-based packs if a user-selected target capacity cannot be reached(Sony VGN-FZ11Z battery). Other programs include Prime to prepare a new battery for field use, Charge to allow fast-charge and Custom to apply unique cycles composed of charge, discharge, recondition, trickle charge or any combination, including rest periods and repeats(Sony VGN-FZ220E battery).

Many modern analyzers also offer battery rapid test programs. This often requires entering the battery voltage and rating (in mAh). To obtain accurate readings, a battery-specific matrix may also be required. The Cadex QuickTest™ stores the matrix in the battery adapter, together with the configuration code(Sony VGN-FZ11M battery). Installing the adapter sets the analyzer to the correct parameters, transparent to the user.

With the Cadex system, the matrix is commonly included when purchasing the adapter. If missing, scanning several batteries with various state-of-health conditions creates the matrix. The test time is 3 minutes and requires a charge level of 20-90%. If outside this range, the analyzer automatically applies a brief charge or discharge(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31Z battery).

Many batteries are discarded, even when restoration is possible. Cell phone dealers have confirmed that 80-90% of returned mobile phone batteries can be repaired with a battery analyzer(Sony VGN-FZ19VN battery). However, most dealers are not equipped to handle the influx of warranty batteries and the packs are returned to the manufacturers for replacement or are discarded. Rapid test enables checking the battery while the customer waits. Minor battery problems can be corrected on the spot(Sony VGN-FZ11L battery).

A typical failure of lithium-ion batteries is excessive low discharge. If discharged below 2.5 volts per cell, the internal safety circuit deactivates and the battery no longer accepts charge with a regular charger. An excessive low discharge can occur if the battery is not recharged for some time after a full discharge through extensive use(Sony VGN-FZ190 battery).

The Cadex battery analyzers feature Boost, a program, which reactivates batteries that appear dead. Boost works by applying a gentle current to the battery to re-energize the safety circuit and raise the cell voltage. After reaching the operating voltage, the battery can be charged and tested normally. Boosted batteries perform flawlessly as long as a repeat deep discharge is avoided(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ21S battery).

Printing

Most analyzers are capable of printing service reports and battery labels. This feature simplifies maintenance, especially in a fleet environment where the operators must observe periodic service requirements. Printed reports also benefit customer service staff and engineers(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31B battery).

Labeling the batteries with service date and test results is self-governing in the sense that the user only picks a properly labeled battery and has recently been serviced. Batteries with past due service date are segregated for service. With such a system, the user has full confidence that the battery will last through the shift, with energy to spare. Weak batteries are weeded out(Sony VGN-FZ11E battery).