OpenDNS

If your ISP still has not patched their DNS servers after the publicity, then it's time to change. You can use the free DNS servers 208.67.222.222 & 208.67.220.220 available at OpenDNS.

You can perform the following test before and after changing the settings on your computers or router:

1. Doxpara Research
2. DNS-OARC
3. DNS-Stuff

AVG Internet Security 8 Update Errors

AVG Internet Security 8 reported an error after an automatic update with not enough free memory. I did a manual update but it failed with the same error. Downloaded the file from AVG and performed the update. But it also failed with an error that the installation is corrupted. I downloaded a second time and the same error occurred.

In the end, I did another manual update and it worked.

Comparing Acer Aspire One AOA110 with Asus Eee PC 4G 701

Since I've both netbooks running Windows Vista, I did a comparison with Windows Experience Index.

Netbook	Acer Aspire One AOA110	Asus Eee PC 4G 701
Processor	3.0	1.8
Memory (RAM)	4.5	2.9
Graphics	4.2	1.9
Gaming graphics	2.8	1.0
Primary hard disk	4.8	4.0
Windows Experience Index Base Score	2.8	1.0

The memory should not be compared because they're of different capacity. I am surprised that the disk data transfer rate of Aspire One outperforms my Lenovo Z61t with 80GB SATA hard disk (4.3).

PC Answers August 2008

Features

1. Learn all-new PC skills
2. 19 ways to get a faster PC
   

Running Vista on Acer Aspire One AOA110

Contrary to some reports, Vista can run on Intel Atom. You need to download the latest driver to run Aero. After installation, you can see the eye candy such as glass, taskbar thumbnails, windows flip and windows flip 3D.

Beware of Location-based Service Tracking

Sygate Personal Firewall detected this location-based service tracking while I'm online using a 3G modem.

Running HD Tune Pro & HDDlife Pro on Acer Aspire One

The SSD does not support SMART but the health and performance can be monitored by HDDlife Pro.