Motorola Phone Tools Error Messages

Thus far I’ve gotten two error messages from Motorola Phone Tools (MPT) that had me unable to use it. The primary error message is when I tried MPT version 5.0 – my Motorola Tundra, according to Motorola’s Owner Forums (https://supportforums.motorola.com/thread/13226), couldn’t be recognized because apparently you need at minimum version 5.1.0a (which updates to “at least version 5.1.7d or higher”).

I went a different route – I got the latest version of MPT that I could, version 5.07. This updates to a version that you can only get right now through Live Update, version 5.27 and an immediate follow-up update to 5.31a (see pic).

So after these updates, thankfully my Motorola Tundra (va76r) is recognized and I can use it for syncing, etc.

—

As for the second error message:

“The program can’t start because Comm.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem." mphonetools.exe – System Error”

This happened after I did some file cleanup. Not sure if this correlation is reason to suspect causation or if it was a coincidence, but perhaps the MPT software depended on extracted files on the desktop or something weird, who knows. At any rate, I just re-installed MPT and things appear normal again.

Samsung R580 Laptop Computer – $589, Big Bang-for-Buck

Today’s RedTag deal of the day is the Samsung R580 Laptop Computer.

User base: those who want modern tech specs – a powerful machine that’s still quite portable, has great memory and video capabilities, and incorporates many features for all sorts of multi-faceted consumer use.

Seems that this Samsung R580 was reviewed by CNET – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wgdBDOUzb0 – and they do a good job in showing that it just so happens to incorporate ports and features in such a combination that it makes it a well-rounded machine.

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
Processor Intel Core i5 430
Memory 4 GB (DDR3 / 2 GB x 2)
Display 15.6" HD, LED Backlit
Screen Size 1366 x 768
Video 512 MB gDDR3 (NVIDIA GeForce 310M)
Speakers 3 W Stereo Speaker (1.5 W x 2)
Integrated Camera: 1.3 MP
Hard Drive 500 GB 5,400 RPM
Optical Disk Drive: BluRay (of course has DVD Multi capabilities as well)
Wired Modem No (Don’t think many need this anymore anyway)
Wired Ethernet LAN Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless LAN 802.11 bg / n Compliant
Bluetooth No
VGA: Yes
HDMI: Yes
Headphone: Yes
Internal Mic: Yes
USB 2.0: 4 USB 2.0 ( 1 Chargable USB )
Multi Card Slot: 3 in 1 (SD / SDHC / MMC)
Serial: No
RJ11 (Modem): No
RJ45 (LAN): Yes
DC-In (Power Port): No (this must be a non-standard port anyway because it’s the first I hear about it)
PC CardBus Slot: Express Card (34 mm)
Keyboard type 100 Keys
Touch Pad, Touch Screen: Yes / No
AC Adapter: 90 W
Battery: 6 Cell 4,400 mAh
Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.2" x 1.25" ~ 1.56" x 10.7"
Weight (including Std Battery) 5.7 lbs

Pros:

Very affordable for the spec combination you get

Powerful Core i5 processor and nVidia discrete graphics and HDMI

Plenty USB ports and other useful multimedia jacks/ports/expansion

Cons:

Battery life weak – don’t expect to do much without the adapter

Outside casing is a fingerprint magnet

Has glossy screen (this may be a Pro for you, but I personally don’t like glossy)

 

Verdict:

If I was in the market for an all-around notebook from a known manufacturer, and I had a tight timeframe to do it I would pick up this Samsung R580. It appears to have the capabilities for accomplishing all sorts of tasks, whether business, casual gaming, casual multimedia editing, or movie-watching (with the Bluray drive). The average user would not complain about performance on this, and if you just need a computer to have the power to last you a good while without having to shell out tons of $$ at the moment, this is for you.

Sony VAIO VPCZ122GX/B – $1500, High-Roller

As posted on a few deals sites such as Slickdeals,

Manufacturer: Sony
Series: Z
Model: VPCZ122GX/B
Price as advertised: $1499.00
Regular price: ~$1900

Clearly, on almost anyone’s first impression this is for those with a hefty budget and need to… well show off the extra few hundred dollars that I personally would not spend on this machine.

First, let’s check out the tech specs:

Display 13.1 in LCD (1600 x 900) – LED Backlit
Processor Intel Core i5-520M 2.40 GHz
Memory 4 GB DDR3 1066 MHz
Hard drive size 128 GB SATA SSD
Operating system Windows 7 Professional
Optical drive DVD±R DL/±RW/-RAM
Media drive SD/MS Pro/MS Duo
ExpressCard 34
Audio Intel HD Audio
Video NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 1 GB graphics memory
Ports 3 USB 2.0
Headphone output
Microphone input
HDMI
VGA (15-pin)
LAN (RJ-45)
Battery Standard capacity (6.5 hours)*
Camera Integrated webcam
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth Yes
Dimensions 12.4 x 8.3 x 1.0-1.3 in (314.96 x 210.82 x 25.4-33.02 mm)
Weight 3.04 lbs (1.38 kg) 
Color Black
Biometric Fingerprint reader

Some photos (source: http://store.microsoft.com)

 

 

 

Personal Verdict:

For those who want to make an investment on a solidly built, reputable machine from a reputable manufacturer with very modern specs (as of September 2010). These specs consider processor type (Intel Core i5), memory type and speed (DDR3 @ 1066), hybrid graphics (w/ 1GB video memory), and well-known elegance, style, and build-quality from Sony.

Here are some reviews that may help:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Sony-VAIO-VPCZ122GX-Review—An-Ultra-Portable-Laptop-That-Satisfies-All-Your-Tastes&id=5017763
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-VPCZ122GX-VAIO-Notebook-PC/dp/B003QL6D6U
http://www.it-echo.com/2010/07/08/sony-vaio-vpcz122gxb-review-13-1-laptop-w-intel-core-i5-520m-128gb-ssd.html

This is not a notebook that will flake away easily or become quickly obsolete because you happen to have been late in the game. Ideal for those who do not want to sacrifice power for portability – this provides both, hence my designation of it as an ultraportable in light of it’s size, weight, and performance.

You can find other notebooks with similar internal specifications for a few hundred dollars cheaper, but of course the external specs and build will differ. In addition, this deal sheds $400 instantly for retail which helps those who were considering getting this already. But again, the price is a bit much for my taste

I remember seeing a Z series machine in the Microsoft Store for even cheaper in a very crazy promotion many months ago but I cannot recall the price. In conclusion, I consider this machine high-roller for those with fat wallets that don’t mind thinning it out a bit in light of other deals that may equally suit their tech needs.

 

Lenovo Outlet – ThinkPad SL510 Refurbished – Discounted Laptops, Cheap Laptops, Refurbished Laptops, Discounted Desktops, Cheap Desktops, Refurbished Desktops

I’m surprised others don’t know about this page – I’ve been scouting the Lenovo Outlet for a couple years now and from time to time there are some amazing deals on refurbs. For example,

Lenovo Outlet – ThinkPad SL510 Refurbished – Discounted Laptops, Cheap Laptops, Refurbished Laptops, Discounted Desktops, Cheap Desktops, Refurbished Desktops.

Maybe you’ll find something that’s worth it and within your budget.