Sunday, July 5, 2009

4 gig problem

I had bought extra RAM for the box , upping total to 4 gigs.

I install the chips , boot up Vista and check under “My Computer-> Properties” and it shows 4gigs. So , chips are ok and everything’s cool.

Week passes by , I’m try to run multiple VMs and seem to run into a performance snag .

So , I start the windoze troubleshooting ritual by opening up task manager. So here comes the funny part , it shows 2.5 gigs of physical memory ? But “My Computer-> Properties” shows 4gigs ?

After reading up forum posts on this , here is what I understood.

1> My Computer –> Properties shows you the physical memory present on the box.

2> Task manager will show you the physical memory that is actually getting used by Vista.

3> PAE is disabled in Vista (PAE lets 32 bit windoze OS’s go above the 4GB barrier)

4 If you have 4gigs , then this formula applies : Memory that can be used by Vista = 4GB – Graphic Card RAM (1 gig in my 8600GT) – Some RAM used by BIOS (~ 300 MB)

So , don’t go to 4GB on Vista 32bit , 3GB should be okay . Or install 64bit Vista (that’s what I did )

Ping Pong !

Squeeze those brain cells to get some blog juice ….

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Life is beautiful

The job promotion into training is beginning to change life in many ways.
It was my karma to do this job.
Even as a support engineer , I was spending more time on helping others, than tackling my own work.
As I am just about to complete my first off-campus assignment , I sometimes feel like a stage performer during the training sessions.
I have learnt that a little humour goes a long way in building a student-instructor rapport.
Animated expressions and antics leave a longer lasting memory than plain vanilla "stand on the stage and talk" speeches.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Slumdog


I have always complained about 'Masala' bollywood movies with same old stereotypes and storylines .
But, if you have to make Masala-ishtyle movies , you better make 'em like this one.

I got a copy of the movie just coz it was receiving rave 'phoren' reviews and expecting that this would be, again, one of those same old western-indian crossover movies.

It turned out to be one of the best Masala movies I have ever seen (although I don't see many) .
Quoting a Bollywood cliche 'Isme action hai , Romance hai , Gaana hai , Mast item hai , fullto maximum paisa wasul hai baap '

For someone who has stayed in a Mumbai slum (in an old haunting past that I can't blank out) , I can vouch for the genuineness of the sets and life potrayed. Perhaps it is that emotional connection that makes me treasure this movie.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Mordor anniversary

Just another month to go .... Yeehaa ! I will be completing one year in my current company.
Had to scrape through the last few months , twas horrible .
Now I can update my resume and post it all over the place  !! One year is a reasonable looking time in anyone's CV.
Getting a new job isn't a big deal for someone with 6 yrs of experience , but finding the right one is a dark art.