SOLUTION: Firefox slow to connect to the internet

Do you constantly experience this? When you turn on the computer, and the modem has already showing that internet is available. But when you launched firefox, it takes forever for it to connect to the internet. Every website that you want to launch shows 404 error. This could also happens to your internet explorer.

Well, the culprit is actually Windows Defender!

Steps to speed up firefox start connnection to internet

Step 1 - Click on the window icon on bottom left as shown, type defender in the box "search programs and files", launch the windows defender

Step 2 - Click on Tools at the top, click on Options

Step 3 - If you have a good anti-virus / spyware program such as Kaspersky, you can click on Adminstrator at the bottom and turn off window defender. But if you want window defender to be running but NOT slow down your firefox, then click on Real-Time Protection and uncheck the use real-time protection (recommended) as shown. Press the save button on the bottom right.

Step 4 - Reboot your computer and launch firefox, see how fast it connects to the internet now!

Kaspersky Internet Security Offer!

Kaspersky having a promotion!

Get the 3 user version for around SGD$70 and you can win a free movie ticket for Jacky Chan latest blockbuster movies. $70 is like $23 per person for 365 days of worry free use of your computer surfing

Performance of OEM battery 3800mAH made by ITTOH vs original 895mAH battery for lumix TZ7 ZS3

Performance of OEM battery 3800mAH vs original 895 battery

Well,




I fully charged the OEM battery (brand is ITTOU) , and using Lumix ZS3, downgraded to 1.1 firmware. Set the playback to slide show->video->loop and




as on 12/1/2010 - start at 10.31 am Singapore time. Volume to max


as on 12/1/2010 1100 am - 30 minutes later, it is still showing FULL 3 bar...a good sign. Will update again later


as on 12/1/2010 1148 am - 1.17 hours later, it is still showing Full 3 bar...a very good sign...will update


as on 12/1/2010 1204 pm - 1.33 hours later, dropped 1 out of 3 bar. a very good sign B-)


as on 12/1/2010 1237 pm - 2 hours 6 minutes later, the RED low battery warning came up.


Experiment stopped




Charging experiment from 1240 pm to 1412 pm, that is 1 hour 32 minutes for 100% full charge.




(So some reports were true, because 3rd party battery lumix cannot detect the battery level correctly, so the bars indication may not be true).






With the fully charged original 895mHa Panasonic battery,


as on 12/1/2010 - start at 12.37 pm Singapore time. Volume to max


as on 12/1/2010 - on 1.22 pm still 3 full bar.....hmmm


as on 12/1/2010 - on 1.40 pm 1.03 hours later WTH still 3 full bar....I am getting the being 'con' feeling...hazzzz


as on 12/1/2010 - on 2.07 pm 1.30 hours later, dropped 1 out 3 bar. oh man, it perform exactly like the 3800mAh one!


as on 12/1/2010 - on 2.33 pm 1.56 hours later, still got 2 bars. oh man, did I do something wrong? rubbing my eyes.


as on 12/1/2010 - on 2.38 pm 2.01 hours later, dropped to last bar


as on 12/1/2010 - on 3.07 pm 2.30 hours later, still going..


as on 12/1/2010 - on 3.10 pm 2 hours 33 minutes, red low battery warning light came on






CONCLUSION? The original 895mAh battery last 30 minutes longer than the supposely 3800mAh ITTOU battery #@@)#@$*#.




Charging experiment from 1510 pm to 1645 pm, that is 1 hour 25 minutes for 100% full charge.

Street Performance at bugis captured on video using Lumix ZS3

I tried one of my online data storege and it can take the 300MB file. Its a free service call vimeo.com which allows me to upload up to 500MB per week and also 1 HD file. It took around 2 hours for the 303MB file to go up (constant around 50Kb/s using my 8Mbps Singtel service).

After uploading it takes vimeo around 20 minutes to queue my file for conversion to be watchable (the streaming media player doesn't recognise ACHD I think).

You can watch it at http://www.vimeo.com/8672659 and also download the original source on the bottom right hand side when at vimeo site.

Nice sound, sharp picture, including steady focus when i zoom into the performances, especially the 'helpers' at the back

Solution: Step by Step guide to downgrade Lumix TZ7 to 1.1 firmware or ZS3

If you want to use 3rd party battery and your lumiz TZ7 or ZS3 shipped with 1.2 firmware, then you need to downgrade it to 1.1, there is no functional change between 1.1 and 1.2 except that 1.2 add in the block for 3rd party 'enhancement'.




My step is learned from the various forums posting and the actual panasonic guide, the difference (which I boldly experiented and learned) is




a) You can use SDHC card, although panasonic or other forum says only SD cards can be used


b) You don't have to format the SDHC card




Okay, lets go






Step 1 - Get the working 1.1 firmware






from www.opendrivers.com

Step 2 - Download the 1.1 firmware




The backup server works, the main link to some japan site is broken.

Step 3 - Unzip the file to your PC with the SD or SDHC card reader

Step 4 - Insert the SD or SDHC card






The official panasonic website and many forums say you need to format the card, I boldy tried and mine works, you do NOT have to format the SD or SDHC card

Step 5 - Copy the firmware to the directories into the SD or SDHC card

The panasonic guide says copy the firmware to the top directory in the card, some forums reporeted failure in installation and someone suggested copying the firmware to EVERY directory and let the camera decide, well, I copid to everywhere to save me the trouble.

Step 6 - Do the downgrading

For whatever reason, do NOT disturb the camera during the changing of firmware. Read the picture for the steps and also see the official guide at panasonic website. But it is a SIMPLE process, just don't do anyting funny or you get a dead camera

Step 7 - Insert your 3rd party Battery




Here is my 3rd party 3800mAH battery costing SGD32 while the official one is 895mAH costing SGD90. i will update this blog with the performance results

Step 8 - Delete off the firmware from the SD / SDHC card

This one obvious, if you don't delete, next time you leave the button on play mode and you turn on the power, it may just ask you to do update again as teh .bin file still there.