18 May, 2008

GRT815M - MS Windows service pack 3 (SP3)

Installs and works without problems after web update from fully patched SP2. Feels like the computer runs faster, although I have not performed any test for comparison. There is only one annoying thing - some rare short lockups. I am not sure if this can be attributed to the upgrade since shortly after upgrading to SP3, I have switched my antivirus program from AVG Free 8.0 to Avast 4.8 Home Edition. The turning point for the change was that AVG was very slow on opening a folder full of executables - the program scans every single file before you get the icons to appear. Some time it took up to 3-4 seconds to open a folder containing a small collection of about 25 small and useful programs.

Note: Hardware and software not originally supplied with the computer:
  • memory upgraded to 1GB.
  • hard disk replaced with 160GB - Samsung SpinPoint M5 160GB 5400RPM 8MB 2.5" (HM160HC).
  • nvidia driver version 6.14.10.6693 - not provided as an update on the support web page.
  • some original software uninstaled: SonicStage, ClickToDVD, Norton Antivirus