Mintywhite Collection Vol.1.

Shortcuts included in this pack:

• About Windows
• Action Center*
• Command Prompt
• Computer Management
• Event Viewer
• Internet Options
• Display IP Configuration
• Performance Monitor
• Add/Remove Programs
• Remote Assistance
• Resource Monitor*
• System Information
• System Properties
• System Restore
• Task Manager
• User Account Control Settings*
• Windows Guides
• Windows Troubleshooting*

Note: When you first open each link, you may see a warning about opening files downloaded online. You may un-check Always ask before opening this file so you are not prompted each time.

Download Windows Shortcuts

Download Windows Shortcuts (13.3 KiB)

Upgrading

I began poking around, and found others (a whole community in fact) dedicated to this phone. And soon realized this gem of a gadget can run almost anything (except for iOS – but who wants that? Seriously) being, Linux, Windows 6.5, Android 2.3, Android 4 and the upcoming Windows 7. There are two options; tethered and untethered (or as they say in Android Land: NAND and SD). The difference being the boot process, where one completely replace the old OS (with no Undo), and the other where you choose a multiple boot environment, where you can choose which OS to boot every time you restart the device. Other phones and brands can also be subject to this kind of upgrade thou personally I have only tested this on my HD2.

Before we go any further, let me just point out that this is not a full tutorial on how it’s done. I am only describing a technique to prolong and improve your smart phone. As with everything else, there are risks involved – and you do so knowing this.

Okay, that being said, let’s continue…

I decided to go with SD (keeping Windows) and adding Android 4.0.3

Why keep Windows ? Mostly because the Android 4.0.3 build (for my phone) is fresh and might not be all that stable yet. Keeping the original OS makes it easier to experiment as the OS is stored on a SD-card which may be replaced and updated through simple file copy. And as a bonus, you can always revert back to windows should anything go terrible wrong.

Step 1. Research, Research, Research

First thing you want to do is some research. Check different blogs for different builds for different phones. The one I ended up using seems to be the most acknowledged one, called CyanogenMod which is a non-profit group dedicated to create and customize the best Android Builds out there. Their latest is called CM9. After some more research I found a build for my phone that was tested and verified to work with my hardware.

SD-method preparations

Booting the phone from a SD-card requires that you first boot it into the original OS (in my case Windows 6.5) then run the boot loader apps. To avoid this, there are several automatic boot loaders available, which will take care of this for you. Another important step is to swap the original “BIOS” Software (SPL) on your phone with one that support the new OS.  When you have done all that, the upgrade it self is just a matter of copy and paste. Copying the OS to the SD-card in the phone and reboot.

The steps (the short version):

1. (If you own a Windows phone) download and install Windows Active Sync – you’ll need this for the first part of the process
2. Download the BIOS Hack Tool (HSPL: 2.08.HSPL) – this is the most risky part of the process
3. If needed you have to download the Radio controller driver as well (Info here)
4. And of course you need the boot loader, which will actually allow you to load your new OS)
5. Download the Android Build you want (NexusHD2-ICS-CM9-SD_v1.4.7z.).
6. UnPack and copy the content to the SD-Card
7. ReBoot Phone

 Beginning the Upgrade (or converting process)

Following the steps in the tutorials provided made it quite easy. One thing I found they neglected to mention, was to make sure Microsoft Active Sync was running on the computer (and the phone) to get the BIOS hack to work. But other than that, after about 15 minutes my phone had a new life – running smoothly on Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Conclusion

One of the first things I noticed working much better was that the camera. When taking photos in windows 6.5 the pictures got a green glare (especially indoors) and was blurry, as if the lens was dirty. The same camera on Android take beautiful pictures. Clear image and crisp colors. The phone itself (as well as the sensitivity on the touch-screen) work far beyond what I would expect.

I have been running Android 4 on my HTC HD2 phone for about three weeks, and the ride has been pure pleasure. Finally, I can use this powerful gadget, as it was supposed to work.

So if you have a smart phone that isn’t quite all there, try to hack it – you might just save yourself a lot of money.

Sources:

• http://forum.xda-developers.com/
• http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437463

We love desktop wallpaper on Windows Guides. Here’s a collection of hand-picked high-resolution Windows 8 themed wallpapers from DeviantArt. Know a good place for wallpaper or have some to share? Let us know about it in the comments.

Update 1/31/2012: As MegaUpload was taken down, I moved the font zip to mintywhite servers (and got by the 20 MB file limit.) Please only download if you want a ton of fonts. The file is quite large (79.3 MB) but hopefully it’s quite convenient (plus, all the applicable licenses and credit is included for the authors that worked so hard on these fonts.)

Many readers have asked me to compile all the fonts, from this website, into one megapack. Today, James, a reader of Windows Guides gave me the push I’ve needed and I put them all together.

Download the Megapack

Download Font Mega Pack

Extract the Megapack to Your Hard Drive

To extract this zip files either double click on it or, while you’re at it, start using a great zip tool like 7-Zip. Right click the file and click 7-Zip > Extract Here.

How to Install Fonts

If you are making a PowerPoint presentation, poster, graphic, or anything that requires typography, you may find some of these fonts useful. There many free fonts out there but it is often hard to find good ones as there is so much choice and so many fonts are not very high quality. In this collections, I’ve compiled the best free fonts out there and provided direct download links to them so you can start using them straight away. If you are unsure of how to install a font, learn here.

More Fonts

Check out more font collections on Mintywhite.com.

Preview Fonts

This is a small representation of the fonts available:

28 Days Later

Concielian

Enchanted Prairie Dog

Judas

Somes Style

Benny Blanco

Blind Melon

Crackdown

Degrassi

Eddie

Oil

Distorted and Scratchy

Docteur Atomic

Hollywood Hills

Hard Rock

Hotel Coral Essex

You Are Loved

Movie Fonts

Fontin Sans

Fertigo Pro

Brand Name Fonts

TV Shows

Video Game Fonts

Music Band Fonts

Bulldozer

Cheap Stealer

Manabu

Nofutur

Paperclip

Rugged Type

Rzrarti

Epoxy History

Jellyka Castles Queen

Karabine

Marcelle

Bleeding Cowboys

FFF Tusj

Green Pillow

alba

Base 02

Negotiate

Splinter 2

Core

Zerogene

Retro Rock Poster

My Turtle

Vandalism

WC Wunderbach Mix BTA

Detroit Ghetto

Octin Spraypaint

Chocolat Bleu

Download Font Mega Pack

*One of the wallpaper sites we usually link to has changed its design and is now riddled with ads. Because of this, I’ve removed all links to this site, which takes the number slightly lower than 800.

Did you miss the first two round ups?

• Desktop Wallpaper: 800 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 1]
• Desktop Wallpaper: 800 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 2]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 33]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 34]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 35]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 36]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 37]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 38]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 39]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 40]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 41]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 42]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 43]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 44]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 45]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 46]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 47]

Desktop Wallpaper: 50 High-resolution Wallpapers for Windows, Linux, Mac [Set 48]

We love desktop wallpaper on Windows Guides. Here’s a collection of 50 hand-picked high-resolution wallpapers from various sources online. Know a good place for wallpaper or have some to share? Let us know about it in the comments.

We love desktop wallpaper on Windows Guides. Here’s a collection of 50 hand-picked high-resolution wallpapers from various sources online. Know a good place for wallpaper or have some to share? Let us know about it in the comments.

We love desktop wallpaper on Windows Guides. Here’s a collection of 50 hand-picked high-resolution wallpapers from various sources online. Know a good place for wallpaper or have some to share? Let us know about it in the comments.

The short answer

The short answer is (in the words of Aerosmith): Hotspot is like Ad-Hoc, but not quite. Okay Aerosmith never said it like that, but if you know which song I’m referring too, leave your answer in the comment. HotSpot and Ad-Hoc can both be used to share your internet connection, and in some respect they are two of the same. They differ in what they are intended for.

The slightly longer answer

First, let me try to define what an Ad-Hoc and a HotSpot is:

HotSpot

Generally speaking, a HotSpot is what you are using when accessing Internet when you’re at a Café or a Hotel. Usually you need a username and/or password to log on through a web-Portal to be able to connect to the Internet.  HotSpot requires a Wi-Fi connection and works like your Wi-Fi Network at home. The HotSpot will normally only allow you to use the Internet. Not interact with other computers or gadgets using the same HotSpot.

Ad-Hoc

The Ad-Hoc is a wireless network without the need of a big Server, or a Router. A Router is preferable the easiest way to go, but you are able to do without. Ad-Hoc rely on each computers Wi-Fi Card to set up and Connect to other computers through one of the other, which for the sake of argument, is the Server (or main Computer). If this Computer has a Wireless Internet (USB modem etc.) then the Ad-Hoc Network can share the Internet Connection as well.

If you have multiple computers in your household, and all are running Windows 7, you might be using an Ad-Hoc Network already, otherwise known as HomeGroup.  The Ad-Hoc gives you much of the same functionality you would come to expect from a wired network, like Printer- and Filesharing.

I did promise an answer to my choice of title

The answer is simple. The main purpose of the article in mind, was to let other computers share your internet Connection. Not dealing with all the hassle with security, sharing, permissions etc. Though arguably you do the same as setting up an Ad-Hoc Network, you are only giving away Internet Access. And, besides, Rich would have a handful of 404 errors to handle If I were to change it now.

Tethering

Tethering is a word that began surfacing around 2009 when SmartPhones started appearing. In short, Tethering is using your phone (or other device) as an Internet Modem through an USB-Cable, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Connection. Allowing your Laptop to connect to the Internet, no matter where you are. With 3G (and 4G) standards, this is almost as good as using a Wireless Internet, but will in the long run cost your more. But for that one desperate moment when you really need Internet – well, then that is a great solution.

Be aware that some Internet providers require you to sign up for an extra Tethering Service if you want to connect more than one device to their service.

The technique is by far new, and has been available before the world even knew what a SmartPhone is. But back then, it was called: “Using your Cellphone as modem” or something similar.