Burchwords

What’s New in Firefox 2.0.0.4

• Release Date: May 30, 2007
• Security Update: The following security issues have been fixed.
• Windows Vista Support: More enhancements and fixes for Windows Vista are included, with the following caveats.
• New Languages: Afrikaans (af) and Belarusian (be) are now available. Beta releases for several new languages are also available for testing.
• Earlier Changes: For information about previous changes, please see the Firefox 2.0.0.3 Release Notes
• Firefox 2 Features: For an overview, please see Firefox 2 Features.

I recently dealt with a VPN problem which used a Linksys router and the client software called Linksys QuickVPN.
When using a DSL line with this software you will get a lot of drops and packet loss.

The Problem:

The VPN created by Linksys doesn’t account for overhead. If you are receiving network drops and data loss while connected by the Linksys QuickVPN you might need to try to adjust your MTU.

When Microsoft creates a VPN it accounts for the overhead and adjust the MTU from 1500 to 1400. Linksys claims that the software is built on top of the Microsoft’s VPN technology. I’m not sure about all that, but what I’m sure of is that you must adjust your MTU to account the overhead that Linksys does not.

Solution:

You will need to find your optimal MTU.

MTU Optimal Test

A series of ping tests using the command, ping www.google.com -f -l xxxx, where xxxx is the packet size, can be used to determine the optimal MTU for your connection.

1. Go to Start and select Run.
2. Type in cmd and hit Enter.
3. At the DOS prompt, type in ping www.google.com -f -l 1492 and hit the Enter key.

Note the results above indicate that the packet needs to be fragmented. Lower the size the packet in increments of +/-10 (e.g. 1472, 1462, 1440, 1400) until you have a packet size that does not fragment.

If you have any packet loss, keep bringing the size down until you have 0% loss.
After you find your optimal MTU you will need to set it for your computer. There is two ways to do this.

The easiest way to change the MTU for your system is using DrTCP.
There is a hard way to do this, which involves changing the registry.
That dangerous information can be found here.

My friend brought me her laptop, which was FUBAR. I did a clean install on the hard drive. I used the OEM version of Microsoft Home XP to install the operating system. Little did I know that Gateway doesn’t like this.

The install went great, I booted it up and brought up the desktop. I had already downloaded the drivers from Gateway’s website for the make and model of this laptop.

First I will give you a list of the drivers that did work:

1. Chipset Drivers (Intel)
2. Ethernet Drivers(Network Interface Card)
3. Video Drivers (Intel)

Now I will give you the list for the drivers that DID NOT work:

1. Wireless Card (Gateway listed Broadcom drivers)
2. Audio Drivers
3. Modem Drivers

Okay, so I start my journey to hell with the wireless drivers. I cannot get the drivers to install with the .exe or updating the drivers through device manager.

So, I plug in the ethernet cable hook up to Mircosoft’s updates and “BAM!” there is a driver for my Intel PROset Wireless. Thats why the drivers wouldn’t take, its different hardware. So, now I’m think maybe the old card died or something. Maybe, it had to be replaced. So, I took the laptop apart, and guess what I found. The wireless card is covered in gateway serial stickers from their factories. I just download the driver from Microsoft’s updates. It works! Gateway is now on my shit list.

Now I take a turn at the corner of Audio and Modem street. The audio drivers will not take either, nor will the modem drivers take.

I tried to download a utility from Gateway that suppose to check your hardware and download and install you correct drivers. It sees the correct drivers, but just keeps downloading another copy on top of another copy. It asked me to restart everytime it downloaded the new copy. But everytime I cranked up the utility it told me to download them again and reinstall them. So, I’m tired at this point.

I crank up the wireless and enter a chat with Gateway’s technical support. Basically he tells me that the drivers listed are the correct ones, and I don’t know what I’m talkng about. On top of his helpfulness’s, he cuts me off.

I did some googling and a lot of people have this problem. The cause? Gateway writes the drivers to only install on Operating Systems that they distribute. If you try to install a clean OEM version of XP on certian Gateway laptops it will refuse to install a large part of the hardware drivers because the OS is not branded by Gateway.

Summery: The majority of drivers that don’t install because of the branding are Audio and Modem drivers.

Update: August 18th, 2007

I called gateway told them my hard drive died and that restore cds were scratched to hell. For 20 bucks they will ship you a brand new set of restore cds. Within minutes the laptop was up and running. Save yourself time and just order the cds.