Hack the Makita LXT charger – model DC18RA to run on 240 volts

Pre-requisetes

  1. A Makita charger model DC18RA T
  2. A soldering iron
  3. Solder
  4. A desolder pump
  5. Capacitor 470µF 400V (Max. diameter of 30mm)
  6. Capacitor 22µF 400V (Max. diameter of 13mm)
  7. Varistor 14D361K

These are the steps I took

  1. Open the charger by removing the four screws on the bottom
  2. Disconnect the wire attachments on the left side of the board
  3. Remove the board and place it upside down
  4. Remove and replace the large 1000µF 200V capacitor with the 470µF 400V capacitor
  5. Remove and replace the small 22µF 200V capacitor with the 22µF 400V capacitor
  6. Remove and replace the Varistor with the Varistor 14D361K (it is located next to where the electric cable is and is wrapped with shrink wrap)
  7. put it back together and enjoy the charger with out an adapter brick

I used the guide located here (I just wrote down here what I did and my charger works well)

How to share an internet connection from another router

I wanted to create another network in my home for my kids and guests to use but I wanted to be able to have more control over the content that was being delivered, so I used this method:

Pre-requisites

  1. A currently working modem router with an internet connection (I will refer to this as router A) hopefully this is password protected
  2. A new second router (I will refer to this as router B)
  3. An OpenDNS account (to have more control over the websites visited)

These are the basic steps I used on a windows running machine, without being too specific.

  1. Connect a computer to router A from any LAN port
  2. Press start and the press or type run
  3. In the run box type: cmd and press enter
  4. In the cmd window type:  ipconfig
  5. mark down on a piece of paper the default gateway for the local area connection (mine was 192.168.1.1)
  6. make sure the internet is working by browsing to www.google.com and doing a random search
  7. disconnect router A and connect router B from any LAN port
  8. Press start and the press or type run
  9. In the run box type: cmd and press enter
  10. In the cmd window type:  ipconfig
  11. mark the address used for the default gateway (this router was  10.0.0.138)
  12. open any browser (I used Firefox)
  13. Type the address of the default gateway for router B (10.0.0.138) and press enter
  14. put in the default username and password you received with your new router and press enter
  15. On the main setup page, change the local address under the network setup to 192.168.2.1 (the point is to change the third group of numbers, the one between the second and third dot)
  16. If you need more access control  use OpenDNS and set DNS 1 and 2 to 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 respectively
  17. Click Save
  18. Wait a minute and make sure you are able to connect to router B with the new address (192.168.2.1)
  19. Disconnect router B
  20. Connect a cable From the WAN (internet) port of router B to a LAN port on router A
  21. Connect to router B with wireless or direct to make sure the internet works
  22. Visit OpenDNS to set up any other web filtering you might want.
  23. For extra security place a password on both routers and just distribute the one for router B

 

Making an ePub eBook with sub-chapters.

Wow, that took a while.

I spent way to long looking for a simple way to make an ePub formatted eBook. anyways this is the final way I chose to make the eBook that has sub-chapters.

Pre-Requisites

  1. Separate .xhtml files for each chapter and sub-chapter. (I used html2xhtml to convert my faulty html files to a cleaner .xhtml  version)
  2. A custom .css stylesheet
  3. All images used in the eBook including a cover
  4. eCub for creating the ePub book.
  5. Calibre for testing and editing odds and ends (Calibre installs an eBook viewer but for some reason does not place a shortcut on the desktop)
  6. Validate EPUB a great place to validate the final ePub.

Steps taken

  1. Place all .xhtml, image, .css files into a project folder of your choice
  2. Open eCub
  3. Enlarge the window because otherwise some of the options are hiding
  4. Select new
  5. Type in a Title, Identifier and Author and press next
  6. Set your book name and browse to find your project folder location and press next
  7. on the import dialog select to create from existing test and press next
  8. leave the default settings and press next
  9. after the scan for the found content press next
  10. choose your existing eBook cover from the drop downand press next
  11. Set the order of your chapters using the arrows underneath the files tab in the main window of eCub
  12. if you have any sub-chapters select them and change their level from one to two using the level selections on the bottom left of the main window place them under the parent chapter
  13. make sure the images and .css files are located in the files list
  14. Select compile
  15. The final eBook will be located in the project folder
  16. Test the eBook using the eBook viewer from calibre
  17. You can make many more small changes and edits  with eCub or Calibre check them out
  18. Visit Threepress Consulting to test the final product with their Validate ePub tool.

There are way to many useless programs out there that do not give the choice to create sub-chapters, or just don’t work.

PBX with Google voice for easy incoming/outgoing phone calls

Google voice is a great way to receive and call for free. Normally you need to use the web interface to dial out. Out of the US it doesn’t even give the option. here is what I did in order to be able to place and receive calls from a regular telephone. I have used the tutorial from Nerdvittles.com and I am rewriting it in the way I set it up using PBX in a Flash version 1.7.5.6

Prerequisites

  1. A spare laptop with an empty hard drive
  2. A VoIP adapter (Linksys pap2) or software (X-lite 4)
  3. PBX in a Flash ISO
  4. A dedicated Google voice account (not your existing Gmail account )

Guide to the installation

  1. Burn the PBX in a flash ISO using whatever software you prefer (CD Burner XP portable)
  2. Place in laptop and boot from the CD
  3. At the keyboard prompt, tab to OK and press Enter.
  4. At the time zone prompt, tab once, highlight your time zone, tab to OK and press Enter.
  5. At the password prompt, make up a VERY secure root password. Type it twice. Tab to OK, press Enter. (Do NOT use special characters in any provider passwords)
  6. When the system has installed CentOS, it will reboot. Remove the CD promptly.
  7. After the reboot, choose PIAF-Purple option.
  8. After installation is complete, the machine will reboot a second time.
  9. Write down the IP address of your new PBX server. You’ll need it to configure your hardware-based firewall in a minute.
  10. Visit voice.google.com
  11. Choose Settings /voice settings / Phones
  12. Enable the Google Chat option as one of your phone destinations (If you don’t see this option, you may need to call up Gmail and enable Google Chat there first.)
  13. Click on the Calls tab
  14. Set Call Screening – OFF, Call Presentation – OFF, Caller ID (In) – Display Caller’s Number, Caller ID (Out) – Don’t Change Anything,Do Not Disturb – OFF.
  15. Click Save
  16. Under the Voicemail tab, plug in your email address so you get notified of new voicemails
  17. Log into your server as root and issue the following commands to download and run The Incredible PBX installer:
  18. cd /root
    wget http://incrediblepbx.com/incrediblepbx18.x
    chmod +x incrediblepbx18.x
    ./incrediblepbx18.x
  19. When The Incredible PBX install begins, you’ll be prompted for the following:
    Google Voice Account Name = the Gmail address for your new dedicated account (Don’t forget @gmail.com)
    Google Voice Password
    Gmail Notification Address = the email address where you wish to receive alerts
    FreePBX maint Password = the password you’ll use to access FreePBX
  20. Using a web browser, log in to the IP address of your Incredible PBX
  21. Slide the tab on the bottom left from users to admin
  22. Select FreePBX administration
  23. Username = maint
  24. Password = FreePBX maint Password
  25. Select setup from the top left tab
  26. Select Extensions from under the “Basic” sub-menu
  27. Select extension 701 from the right side of the screen
  28. Scroll down to view the five digit code for secret (you will use this to create a login on the voip adapter or the voip software)
  29. Log in or open your VoIP device/program
  30. Type 701 as the user
  31. The password is the five digit code under secret
  32. Your PBX server IP  address is the domain

This is the basic setup for a home PBX using Google Voice for free incoming and outgoing phone calls. There are many other optional options to setup and play with, you can find them all out by visiting the relevant websites. Start off by visiting Nerdvittles.com.

 

Sansa Clip+ version 01.01.35 firmware choice

Sansa Clip+ version 01.01.35 firmware customization

As found at the sandisk forums and anythingbutipod.com forum
Prerequisites

  1. Download firmware 01.01.35
  2. Extract the file and rename the last letter of the firmware with the version you want
  • A = Americas. Radio, volume high
  • E = Europe. No radio, volume normal
  • F = French, Starts after upgrade with Language selection, radio, volume normal
  • G = Hebrew, no radio, volume normal (NO Arabic language choice)
  • H = Hebrew. with radio, else same as G
  • M = Arabic, no radio, volume normal (NO Hebrew language choice)
  • N = Arabic, with radio, else same as M
  • P = starts with language choice, radio, volume high, and forces MSC mode
  • S = language prompt, no radio, volume high

The firmware update is very simple.

  1. Ensure your battery is > 50% full.
  2. Extract the .zip file into a folder on your computer.
  3. Once extracted, drag the file to the root directory of your Sansa Clip.
  4. Disconnect the Sansa Clip and let it restart.
  5. The firmware update will now begin.
  6. Once it finally finishes doing its update, it will boot back up. Once its back to the main menu, head to “Settings” > “System Info”, and verify the “Version” is now 01.01.35.

Now you have the clip with your firmware version loud volume with radio or whatever firmware you chose.

iPhone 3GS to jaibroken 4.3.3

iPhone 3GS

iPhone 3GS

I am using a recently updated iPhone 3GS 4.3.3 and this is how I jailbroke it using redsnow on Windows 7.

Prerequisites

  1. iPhone 3GS 4.3.3 Firmware
  2. iTunes
  3. Redsnow
  4. Internet connection

This is fairly simple

  1. Install iTunes
  2. Make sure your iPhone is updated to 4.3.3
  3. run redsnow
  4. Browse for and select the 4.3.3 firmware file and press next(requires Internet connection)
  5. Select install Cydia, press next
  6. Follow the instructions to put your phone in DFU mode (on windows I had to do this twice because windows 7 first looks for updated drivers on the internet)
  7. wait until redsnow shows done

Thats it, your iPhone reboots with cydia installed

 

Nook Color 1.1.0 to Android 2.3

nook Color

nook Color

Well, I might as well get started.

This is the way I rooted my brand new Nook Color with the CyanogenMod “CM7” (Android 2.3) on windows 7  based on the tutorials found at the NookDevs.com website. I copied an pasted most of the tutorials and changed whatever was there to follow my experience. If you have any trouble with what is written please visit Nookdevs.com for they have an amazing website.

Pre-requisites

  1. Before rooting, you need to complete BN’s registration process, you will not be able to link your Nook Color to your BN account to buy books after rooting. Do Not Proceed with Rooting unless the Nook is Registered, You will not be prompted to register with BN once you have completed the Root Process.
  2. You need a formatted 128 MB or higher microSD card . ( Note: It’s recommended you use a Class 6 microSD card as a lower grade card may have issues. ).
  3. You need a working wifi connection for the Nook Color.
  4. You must have a Gmail/YouTube linked Account. IF you used a Gmail account for B&N Registration you should use that one for this process.
  5. Win32DiskImager
  6. Auto-nooter 3.0
  7. Clockwork Recovery file that corresponds to the size of your microSD
  8. CyanogenMod
  9. Google Apps

These are the steps I took to root the nook and then to flash it with CyanogenMod 7. There is probably a whole bunch of redundant steps because of the CyanogenMod 7 flash but I don’t have time to test it out. My Nook is running just the way i like it.

  1. Unzip Auto-nooter 3.0 using your favorite unzipper.
  2. Run Win32DiskImage.exe
  3. Click the folder button and navigate to select the img file you just unzipped.
  4. click on the disk drive letter label on the right, and choose the letter that corresponds to your SD card.
  5. press Write. When it finishes, press Exit.
  6. Shut down the Nook Color device completely. Make sure the USB cable is unplugged hold the power button down until prompted and choose power off.
  7. Insert the microSD card into the NOOKcolor.
  8. Plug the USB cable from your NOOKcolor into your computer.
  9. The NOOKcolor will boot the microSD although the screen will remain off.
  10. If you’re using the Nook cable, the charge LED may blink. That would be ok, it is not important.
  11. Within a minute, your computer will see a new USB device.
  12. In Windows Your computer may complain about missing drivers. Simply cancel through them at this time.
  13. Your NookColor will reboot when it’s done.
  14. Upon boot unlock your screen.
  15. Tap the Android
  16. At the Android Welcome Screen skip “Sign In”
  17. Enable Location Services when given the option.
  18. Connect to Wifi (Possible problems with WPA or WPA2, disabling security allows for stable WiFi connection) and launch Youtube from “Extras” (The Extras menu item your NC comes with).
  19. Click the Menu button (The one RIGHT of the Up Arrow).
  20. Select “My Channel” and Login using your Gmail Account (ensure the my-username@Gmail.com format to link)
  21. Exit Youtube and Launch Gmail from “Extras”.
  22. Sync your Gmail Account and Exit. (If it fails to sync that is fine – it will do so later on if you give it a few minutes)
  23. Open up Market and Accept Terms and Service.
  24. If you made it this far your nook should be successfully Rooted. Go Download an App to make sure.
  25. Enable Non-Market Installs by running the NookColor Tools App.
  26. Choose an App. If the install hangs without downloading, try turning the NC off (with power held for 3+ seconds), then on again. Go back into Marketplace and cancel the download, then restart it and it will work fine.
  27. Unlock the NC.
  28. At the Android Welcome Screen tap the robot.
  29. Skip “Learn how to use your LogicPD Zoom2”
  30. Skip “Set up your Google Account”
  31. Select  “Use Google Location” and click Next (Send anonymous data to Google check box may be optional)
  32. Tap the white Nav Arrow > settings > Wireless & verify that you are connected to WiFi
  33. (The Nav arrow is the white up arrow in the middle of the notifications bar at the bottom of your screen.)
  34. When prompted for the Home app, you’re given the options of Home or Softkeys. Pick Softkeys or your Menu button won’t work in Youtube.
  35. Tap the Nav Arrow > extras > Youtube & accept the ToS
  36. Tap the menu (to the right of the Nav Arrow, if the button doesn’t work reboot your Nook Color. ) & select “My Channel”, then Add account & add your linked Google Account
  37. When you log in, put in your entire gmail address, it must be of the form my_username@gmail.com.
  38. Tap the Nav Arrow & extras & launch Gmail
  39. In Gmail, tap menu > accounts > chose your account (may be optional)
  40. Then menu > Refresh. Wait for sync. It takes a minute. You should see your Inbox. (If it fails to sync that is fine.)
  41. Launch google Talk and be sure it connects (this step may be optional).
  42. Open up Market and Accept Terms and Service. You should be able to see market apps & download & install directly from the Market.
  43. Run Win32DiskImage.exe
  44. Click the folder button and navigate to select the img file you just unzipped.
  45. Click on the disk drive letter label on the right, and choose the letter that corresponds to your SD card.
  46. Press Write. When it finishes, press Exit.
  47. Place both the CM7 .zip file and the Google apps .zip file on the root of the microSD card you burned earlier. Do NOT unzip these files
  48. Insert the microSD card into your nook and boot it up. It will boot from the SD card.
  49. A loading screen will appear and then Clockwork Recovery will start up. You’ll recognize its orange text on a black background.
  50. Using the hardware volume keys to move the cursor and the “n” (home) button to select, go to “wipe data/factory reset.” This will clear the user data on your nook and give a clean slate for the CM7 installation. Choose “Yes” to indicate that you’re really serious about wiping.
  51. After wiping, choose “install zip from sdcard.”
  52. Choose the CM7 .zip that you downloaded and choose “Yes” to confirm. You are now installing CM7 on your nook.
  53. Next return to “install zip from sdcard” if necessary and choose the Google Apps pack .zip. Choose “Yes” to confirm.
  54. After that is done you have finished the installation.

Well that was fun now I use the Nook Color as a tablet and use Perfect Viewer for viewing my manga