Fixing the 3 red light error on Xbox ( 3RL )

The most aggravating thing for an Xbox 360 owner to learn is that his/her console suddenly stopped working and started flashing 3 blinking red lights. Otherwise called the notorious red ring of death, this problem can be time consuming and expensive to fix.

This article will tell you exactly how to fix Xbox 3 Red Light Errors on your 360.

The 5 stop process to Fix Xbox 3 Red Light Error
Before you begin, it is recommended that you only do this if you are comfortable taking your console apart. If you are not comfortable doing this yourself, I suggest 2 things:

1 - Send your console off to Microsoft repair. Although it can be costly and take up to 6 weeks, 90% of the time this will fix your console (unless they ship you a defective console back, which happens quite often).
-or-
2 - Purchase a do it yourself Xbox 3 Red Light Error Repair Guide. These guides run from $30-$40 and will literally walk you through the whole process.

The Fix

• The first thing you want to do is take the case off of the Xbox 360.
• Now you need to take the main motherboard assembly apart. This includes removing the X-shaped clamps, GPU, and Motherboard.
• The X-clamps will now need to be secured so that they can no longer vibrate and cause the GPU to flex--this is what causes your 3 red light error in the first place.
• I always like to re-apply some heat sink solvent, but this is optional.
• Put the console back together and give it a few minutes. Everything should work fine now.

Looking for the all around best Do It Yourself Xbox 360 Repair Guide? Check out this guide for tips and videos that guarantee you can fix your Xbox 360 in less than an hour.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dusty_Thornton

Diabetic Shoes

For people who suffer from diabetes, wearing a certain type of shoe known as diabetic shoes is important for proper diabetic foot care. Diabetic shoes should have a wide shank area to accommodate a diabetic foot. These shoes help redistribute pressure points and are more suitable for people who have diabetes. If you suffer from diabetes and do not know what shoes to buy, some brands you should look at are Aetrex, Brooks, Drew, Etonic, Instride, and New Balance.

Aertrex shoes such as the Ambulator rand are designed with the needs of diabetics in mind. Building ultra-light boots that are designed for comfort and to ensure protection against various foot deformities, these shoes are well suited for a person with diabetic conditions. To guard against things such as swelling, these shoes are designed with 3 removable insoles that adjust to heat and pressure for a perfect fit.

Brooks diabetic shoes are great at absorbing shock and preventing the feet from damage. This reduces the chances of swelling and deformities brought on by diabetes. Made with high-density carbon-rubber and extra cushioning for durability, these shoes are great for diabetics who like to take long walks every day.

Etonic shoes are made with trampoline action insoles and compression molded Eva-lite for comfortable walking. The removable insoles and the roomy design greatly helps pressure-sensitive areas around the foot. Made with comfort in mind, these shoes are great for casual walkers and joggers.

Instride shoes are made to fit a diabetic foot perfectly with three removable insoles and a polyurethane bottom. These shoes also have shank support for stability and a pre-molded counter for extra stability in the heel area. Instrides are great diabetic shoes for casual wear.

New Balance diabetic shoes features polyurethane outsoles and Dri-Lex quarter lining to keep the foot cool and dry. They also have a full grain leather upper to ensure maximum comfort and air flow for walking. The soft fit and the seamless interior makes this shoe a great choice for diabetics.

Each of these brands has features in their shoes to suit the diabetic foot. All of these brands also sell diabetic insoles and socks to match their footwear.

( Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Ceder )

The iPod Nano 5G

The new iPod Nano 5th Generation (iPod Nano 5G) has some excellent and great new features to enjoy. These new features make iPod Nano latest edition is superior to most other Mp3 players. Although the design is very simple, the new Nano looks elegant.

The Nano has several different colors such as black, green, blue and many others and it is also available in 8GB and 16GB. You can personalize the unit if you buy it directly from Apple sites by engraving on the back of the unit with no extra cost, so that you can make it as a wonderful electronic present to someone special.

Even though its small size, the Nano is equipped with video camera which quality is much better than the one available in most cellular phones. The video camera is very user friendly. It is simple and has an ability to upload the video to You Tube very quickly. However, if you use the video a lot, I suggest that you go with the 16GB memory as video usually uses a lot of memory.

The Nano also has a voice recorder so that you can record a lecture or you can record your voice and use it as a reminder. Other feature that this new Nano has is FM Radio. The different of this FM Radio feature with the one on other mp3 players is the ability to pause radio and buffer 15 minutes of radio playback. The pedometer comes handy when you jog since it can be used to measure the steps you take.

In addition to all these new and fantastic features, the new Nano comes with the screen slightly larger (about 0.2 inches taller) than the previous edition (iPod Nano 4G). Without no doubt this is another great product from Apple.

This article was bought to you by http://ezinearticles.com/?The-iPod-Nano-5G&id=3318951 )

Christmas Shopping Solutions for Her!

Thanksgiving just passed and Christmas is just a few weeks away. Many last minute Christmas shoppers are starting to feel the pressure. The Malls, online shopping and Department stores have already begun their influx of traffic. Included in that traffic are many people looking for last minute Christmas gifts. Taking action has become more critical and strategic. Here are helpful strategies on Great gift ideas for her, in addition, to where you may find the best deals online without stress and burnout.

Gift Idea Number 1. Perfume is a gift most women appreciate. Balancing perfume scent and body chemistry is an art. Allure by Chanel is a great women's fragrance that has been a favorite for years. You will be sold from the very first smell. Very elegant and classy, but not loud. Gift Idea Number 2. Shoes are a great gift idea for women. Our top pick are Uggs Boots for her. Uggs come in many styles and colors, from the original sheepskin pull-on Boot to chic style Boots with heels. The twin-faced breathable shearling keeps feet cozy and dry. Made with Genuine Australian Sheepskin.

Gift Idea Number 3. Cameras are perfect year-round, but especially during the holidays. Now is the perfect season for her to capture those special holiday moments. She will have holiday memories to last a life-time with Sony Cyber Shot Digital Camera. This camera has it all! From advanced features and image stabilization to point-and-shoot ease. 12.1 mega pixels deliver clear crisp images.

Gift Idea Number 4. Amazon Gift Cards are not only practical, but a Great Gift idea. It doesn't matter if she is the super picky woman or the woman that has everything. With an Amazon Gift Card you can never go wrong. Besides, an Amazon Gift Card is one gift she doesn't have yet.

When shopping for gifts this holiday season, it's good to be a prudent shopper. A prudent shopper is a wise shopper searching and finding the best prices, while buying quality merchandise that will last. Another good idea is to be sure you are familiar with the manufacturers' warranties. If you are doing online shopping this holiday season, be sure to purchase from trusted name sites. Free shipping is always a good incentive to purchase, while increasing your purchasing power. We have found a site that features prudent strategies aforementioned. Checkout: http://www.top5christmasgifts.net this site offers the best deals, top quality merchandise from a trusted site and free shipping. For greater gift ideas for her, visit: http://www.top5christmasgifts.net/Gifts4her_page1.html Happy holiday shopping!

(this article was found originally on http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2288938 )

XBox vs PS3 vs Wii

If you are in the market for a video gaming system for your home, you really only have a choice between the big three gaming consoles: the Microsoft Xbox 360, the Sony Playstation 3, and the Nintendo Wii. So far, it is anybody's guess who will be the big winner, but so far, the Sony PS3 and the Nintendo Wii are out in the lead.

In fact, the Nintendo Wii has a slight lead over the other two. There are three reasons for that: first, the Wii may be easier to setup; second, the Wii’s games may be easier to learn and use; and third, the Wii is half the price of the other two. But the other game consoles are selling well and they each have their strong points. As with any brand new gaming systems, everyone has an opinion on which is best? Some things to consider when comparing the Wii against the PS3 are the games that go with the system, price and commitment to the gaming system. Everyone has different needs when purchasing a gaming system, so consider all your options before buying a video gaming system. Since this is a large investment in money and games, you must weigh the pros and cons of all the systems available.

The Types and Mumber of Games Available for Each System

When looking at the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox it may be a good place to start with the games that are exclusive to that system. The Wii system is a Nintendo product, which means that certain games will only be manufactured on that system. These include all of the well known Nintendo brands and characters like, Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, Zelda series and Sonic character. Games with these characters will not be manufactured for any other gaming system. All of these games are rated E for everyone. This system does also contain rated T games for Teens.

Some PS3 exclusive titles include, Resistance Fall of Man, which is rated M (Mature), Motorstorm rated T. This sytem does also have a variety of games that are rated E, but many are for the more advanced gamer.

And recently, Microsoft has announced that the highly anticipated Halo 3 game will only be available for the Xbox 360. If you are a die-hard fan of Halo, the Xbox may be your only choice (note that the game developer for Halo was purchased by Microsoft several years ago).

It is an important consideration to factor in the age of the players in the household. Take the time to go and check out the titles of games offered to both systems when looking into the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox.

Price And Other Features As A Consideration

When looking at the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox, one consideration may be price. There is a considerable difference in price between the three systems. This may have to do with the fact that the PS3 also contains an upgraded CD player. Many hardcore gamers also feel that the PS3 has better graphics than the Wii. The Xbox can play HD DVDs while some PS3’s can play blue-ray DVDs.

When checking out the differences between the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox, it can be noted that the Wii is a much more interactive game. This gaming system uses controllers that act as motion detectors, relaying the movements of the players onto the screen. The graphics of the Wii may not be as fine tuned, but that may not be a big consideration for some consumers.

All three gaming systems have many games that can be played on them for all levels of players. The Wii has a more interactive approach to its games, but the PS3 has much sharper graphics. The Xbox has excellent graphics as well. When comparing the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox think about what types of games are enjoyed, the long term capabilities of the gaming system and how the price reflects these things.

If money were no object, I would recommend you buy all three systems: the Sony Playstation 3, the Microsoft Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii. In the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox battle, each one has its own pluses and minuses. If there is a particular game you want to play and it is only available on one platform or the other, then your choice is made up for you. Or, if price is the governing factor, then, again, your choice has already been made. Your best option is to spend as much time as possible trying out each console to see which you like the best. Also, read as many reviews as you can. There are sites where real people post their opinions. These can sometimes be more helpful than reviews by professional reviewers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Novosat

Mac vs PC

It's hard to pick a start to this war. Apple was first in providing a personal computer between the two. But the IBM was really the first model designed for business. The hardware was really not the driving force between either version of personal computer, it was software. First with the operating system, then with the application software. I know that PC stands for personal computer but we're going to refer to the IBM/MS DOS/Windows personal computer as the PC for this article.

The IBM guys really didn't care about the home user, where as Apple was dedicated to that market. Software developers often worked both sides of the street and the war was on officially. Some programmers developed applications for both sides, some stuck to their chosen favorite. But the battle was back and forth depending on the newest software and features. Then IBM made a decision to adopt a new operating system for the IBM PCs rather than write their own. Enter Mr. Gates and Microsoft.

Apple made some inroads into the business world, the now famous MAC 1984 commercial for the first Macintosh PC that showed a heroine wearing red shorts and an Apple t-shirt running through an Orwellian world to throw a sledgehammer at an image of Big Brother, an implied representation of IBM and PCs. It was quickly picked up as the winner of commercials that year for the super bowl.

And it started to define the two separate markets and demographics. The cool side went for the Apple PCs, the business suit guys went for the IBM PCs. Lotus 123, the first major spreadsheet software to be embraced by the business community exploded the world of PCs.

Apple quickly lost ground since the business world bought computers by the 100s rather than one at a time like consumers. Plus IBM had a huge advantage of millions of terminals that could be replaced by the PC. And the PC now had access to mainframes applications and data by local PC applications. But Apple went after the specialty areas like video and music and quickly became the computer of choice for the entertainment and arts industries.

And then Windows 95 came out (there were earlier versions but they were a joke). It closely mimicked many of the Apple OS features with mice and windows for each application. Apple went nuts and filed lawsuits against Microsoft. But, one small detail was brought out that actually the whole graphical interface with a mouse was invented by Douglas Engelbart of the Augmentation Research Center, Stanford Research Institute and was patented back in 1964.

Anyway, the war continues today with different but similar looking graphical operating systems and mindsets. Apple and Microsoft still go after each other with vengeance and many followers of both sides are dedicated to say the least. So lets try an unbiased look at both the PC and the MAC personal computers.

These are not personal opinions, I like both and think that each has their weak and strong points. No hate mail from either sides please. Opposing view points welcome but keep the emotional tirades to a minimum. I do computer repair for a living and work on both. I do a lot more PC repair I'll admit but some of that is due to the sheer numbers of units out there.

Apple / Mac Pros: Very few security issues, viruses, malware, etc. Operating system is easier to learn for novices (that's not me that's research by independent labs). You don't have to reboot a MAC, and there are few, if any boot problems when you do. You can now run Windows on a MAC as well as on any PC. Multitouch technology (the ability to stretch, pinch, rotate, etc). Long active life, many last for well past 5 years.

Apple/ Mac Cons: Pricey, most apple products get a premium price. Not easily upgradeable, nor many options. IMac series is screen/computer combo unit so if it breaks, you need to replace both. Not as much software, many software prices are higher.

Windows PC Pros: Low priced, many options. Huge selection of software, lots of specialty verticle applications. Media, especially Tivo like services are much easier and available. Not proprietary in a way that keeps out competition. Universal use. Games run better and more are available.

Windows PC Cons: Primary target for viruses and malware, lots of security issues. Learning curve on operating system and software. Windows can often kill itself due both backwards compatible issues and open architecture. Lots of boot problems. Low prices drive up quality control issues and high failure rates of components.

Two recent developments that have changed the scenery somewhat is that Apple brought out the Mac Mini that sells for under $1000 (well under depending on configuration) and now also runs Windows (as fast as many PC machines). Both those factors bode well for the future of Apple.

And Microsoft is bringing out the long awaited Windows 7, which is the release that Vista was supposed to be back two years ago. I've played with Windows 7 and the good news is I don't see any of the compatibility issues of new Windows OS releases of the past.

In case you didn't notice, the strong points of one side are the weak points of the other and vice versa. A closed proprietary system eliminates many possible problems but limits competition. An open architecture spurs competition but can create many problems. From the support side, closed is a good thing, open is the Wild West since any software problem can break the rules and the operating software.

User interfaces are a very personal and subjective area. Those who like the Mac interface love the Mac interface. And Windows has its huge fan base too. I think it boils down to what each user is comfortable with and if the software is available to accomplish their given tasks.

Any new user or even experienced users in the market for a new computer should try out both a Mac and PC. Make a decision based on hands on experience and available software features to satisfy their daily needs. There's really no right or wrong decision, just one you need to make based on what works for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Dow

Blackberry Bold vs iPhone 3GS

Blackberry or iPhone? That is the question I hear every day from any person looking to obtain one of the cool gadgets. Well my friends, this review will most certainly shed some light on both phones, and hopefully you will be able to draw some conclusions at the end.

As you know from my previous post: Gadget Review: iPhone 3GS, I am quite the happy iPhone owner. I do not own a Blackberry Bold, but a lot of my friends are in possession of the competitive Research In Motion (RIM) gadget. I have played around with it several times, and I believe I have established a fairly good "rapport" with the Blackberry.

The Blackberry Bold has a very sleek design, unlike its predecessors. I fancied the look of the gadget very much. The QWERTY keyboard was always easy to use, as the buttons are very well designed for data entry on this neat gadget. Now, one of the bigger features on the Blackberry Bold is the screen. The gadget features a half VGA resolution 480 x 320 pixel color display. The quality of the picture is extremely crisp, and I would be very satisfied to watch the latest episode of Two and a Half Men. The email on the Bold is superb. I do not think there is any real competition for that particular aspect of the Blackberry, as it is the main feature that RIM strives to improve on with every new gadget release. And of course there is the Blackberry Messenger. Loved by many and desired by others. This Blackberry service is free, and it features on every Blackberry released. This cool digital gadget reduces your bill greatly on text messaging. Now of course, this is only available to Blackberry phones, hence making it such a unique feature for the RIM device.

Now for the review of the cons....yes there are always cons! The Blackberry Bold is fairly big in size. Its bulky size does not allow for seamless blending into your pocket. If RIM manages to reduce the size of Blackberry Bold to one of that the Pearl sports, I think the customer base for the gadget would increase dramatically. The Blackberry Bold browser, while an improvement, is still ways away from a user friendly interface. Navigation is done with the trackball that is located in the middle of the gadget, and the constant scrolling to navigate through the pages can become fairly annoying and tiring. I hope RIM thinks of something for the future Blackberry phones. The screen, while crisp is only a half size. But that is the trade off with most non-touch screen gadgets. Finally, the camera leaves desirable improvement. Blackberry Bold does in fact come with a flash, and the camera is a 3.2 megapixel camera, but the Sony Ericsson CyberShot dwarfs the Blackberry gadget in comparison, however we will leave the Sony Ericsson gadget for another review.

The comparison of the Blackberry Bold to the iPhone 3GS is a fairly daunting task (unlike my previous comparison of the iPhone and the Nokia N-95), as in my opinion both gadgets are intended for different target markets and meant for slightly different purposes. However, let us attempt to compare and contrast the two gadgets.

The screen comparison is fairly simple: you get a bigger screen with the iPhone, but the quality is better on the Blackberry Bold. Now, do note that the screen on the iPhone is the glue that holds everything together. While it is big, it is also almost like putting all your eggs in one basket - lest the screen crack, the gadget performance might suffer. Such is the double-edged sword nature of the touch screen phones!

If you prefer real tangible buttons for data entry such as on the Blackberry Bold, as opposed to digitized keyboards on the iPhone, the choice is fairly obvious; this one is really down to user preference. I personally happen to love the iPhone keyboard, but I do not have a problem with the Blackberry one either; it is simply that I prefer a bigger screen, and the iPhone keyboard makes it a very efficient gadget.

The camera. To be quite honest, this comparison of the two gadgets in the picture-taking aspect can be described as a Special Olympics race. Now, I have nothing against the handicapped population of our world, and apologies if you found it offensive, but to simply put it, the two cameras of the iPhone and the Blackberry Bold are simply not on par with what is out there. Blackberry trumps the iPhone by 1.2 megapixels and a flash, however it is not really something I would be particularly proud to show off to all my friends. Moving on.

Email. Absolutely no competition. Blackberry phones were designed for email. iPhone does have a decent and simple email client, but it does not even come close to the RIM gadget.

Blackberry messenger is something I would love to have on my iPhone. I am a huge admirer of the iPhone text messaging system, but if I could also send texts for free, well let's just say that even Gollum from Lord of the Rings would overlook his Precious for a feature like that!

Browser. Once again, no contest, but this one goes to the iPhone. Easy to use, big screen, fast Safari browser. Once you have used the iPhone browser, I would dare anyone to find a gadget that aces the Apple phone. Blackberry Bold is blown out of the water, country, planet and solar system in this department.

Finally the size of the two gadgets is very comparable. Personally, I find the slim form factor of the iPhone extremely convenient, however it does make it more fragile. Don't forget it's in your back pocket, or you will end up having a nice spider-web design on the screen of your precious gadget. The Blackberry Bold, as mentioned earlier is fairly bulky, but it does make it much sturdier than the iPhone. I give this to the iPhone, but as with most aforementioned comparisons, this one is once again user preference.

The verdict....well there simply is no winner in this battle. Many of the comparisons of the two gadgets were ultimately down to user preference. You have to ask yourself: what am I going to use my phone for? If it is for email and organizational purposes, then I recommend the Blackberry Bold. If it is for fun and browsing, I recommend the iPhone. The choice is yours. Both gadgets are very capable of performing every task, but their design and approach to these tasks is significantly different, and you are the one to make the call - Blackberry Bold or iPhone.

I hope you found this gadget review useful, and I welcome comments or discussions on the Blackberry Bold or the iPhone. Both gadgets are fantastic pieces of technology, however, as this review outlines, the ultimate target audience is different.

Stay tuned for more reviews such as this "Gadget Review: Blackberry Bold vs iPhone 3GS", from the Gadget World.

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