Tuesday, March 29, 2011

DealStartsHere: How to One-Click Root your Android Phone (Droid X)

Hey guys, I thought I'd write a small guide on how to root your Android phone. The Droid X in particular! I've gotten a lot of requests from people who need help rooting their phones. I'm kind of surprised because a lot of guides are already on youtube or google! The Droid X is an amazing phone by the way, just got mine a month ago and am loving it!

Step 1: Make sure you're logged into your PC with Administrator Rights!
Step 2: Make sure you download "RootMyX2." Unfortunately, this only works for Windows Operating Systems (Sorry Mac Users).
Step 3: Extract the files in RootMyX2. (Make sure you remember where you extract them!)
Step 4: Now take out your Droid X and go into USB Debugging Mode! You can do this by going into Settings -> Applications -> Development -> Then check the USB Debugging box.

Step 5: Now connect your phone to your computer via the USB cable and make sure it's synced via the drop down menu on the Droid X!
Step 6: Go to the folder where you extracted RootMyX2, Right-click RootMyX2.exe and select Run as Administrator.


Step 7: Here's the tricky part! Click... "RootMe"


Step 8: Enjoy your rooted phone! You should see a new icon that says "Superuser" on your phone, this is how you can check it your phone is rooted.

Optional: To unroot your phone, just follow the steps, but at Step 7 click UnRoot Me. Simple.

Monday, March 21, 2011

DealStartsHere: iPad 2

So this weekend I fell into temptation and bought the iPad 2. I waited for hours in an ridiculously long line, only to spend several hundreds of dollars. But it was worth it! =D


The iPad 2 is such an amazing piece of technology and such an improvement from the previous iPad. I decided to go all out and purchased the massive 32GB iPad 2, although I am unsure of the content I can accumulate 32GB with. The screen is a beautiful 9 inches and a vibrant, crisp one too. I decided to watch Avatar on it and found that my eyes weren't straining at all!


I think what motivated me to buy the iPad 2 was the review/comparison I conducted last week. You can see it on the previous posts I've made on my blog. After using and studying the iPad 2, I was sold!


After I purchased the iPad 2, I immediately purchased a case protector for it. After it is and was a hefty investment. Luckily I work at DealStartsHere, so I was able to get one for free. Oh, the perks to my wonderful job! Fortunately, you too can get a case protector for your iPad 2 or Tablet PC at a very low cost! You can found some of our cases and covers if you CLICK HERE.






Friday, March 18, 2011

DealStartsHere: The Apple iPad 2 and Other Tablet PCs

So recently I've been reading up on Tablet PC's and the iPad 2. I actually went to a Fry's and an Apple Store to try one for myself. Man was I blown away! The technology in today's tablet PC's are amazing. I almost considered selling my Droid X and downgrading to a clamshell phone, just so I can buy a Tablet PC! But I do love my Droid X, so she'll be with me for a while.


First, I went to the Apple Store to try the iPad and was hoping they had the iPad 2! I was taken aback when I used the iPad for the first time. It was like a huge iPhone or iTouch and felt comfortable to use. I immediately familiarized myself with the User Interface and knew exactly what I was doing. Easy-of-Use and simplicity: one of Apple's products strong points. I noticed though, that the on the iPad 2, the expansion capabilities were very limited. Almost non-existent. There was no HDMI out and no SD Card expansion. As a technical kind of guy, this was a turn off. I've heard that there are adapters that could connect to the dock connector of your iPad to add a SD Card expansion or HDMI out. I believe we do sell some on our website too. You can buy an SD Card Expansion Reader HERE.  Cosmetically, the iPad 2 was sleek and look amazing, but I did account that, if purchased, I may drop the iPad 2 several times without warning. Already online stores are selling iPad 2 Cases and Covers. WE'RE EVEN SELLING CASES AND COVERS! You can purchase some HERE.


Despite the technical limitations of the iPad 2, it does sport a nice 9.7 Inch LED Multi-Touch Screen @ 1024 by 768 Pixels (132 pixels per inch). The screen also incorporates IPS Technology according to Apple. On a more internal perspective, the iPad 2 executes processes with a 1GHz Dual Core Chip, which was a custom Apple A5 Design and 512 MB of RAM. Like many processors today, Apple engineered the chip to run at peak performance while keep power consumptions at bay. Inside, the iPad 2 utilizes a Three-Axis Gyroscope, Accelerometer, and Ambient Light Sensor. Nothing we haven't seen before, but it's good to know Apple is keep up with technology! I was impressed to find that Apple finally added GPS and an HD Video Camera to the iPad. After seeing the capabilities of the iPhone and other Android Phones, I couldn't wait to see these features on a Tablet PC. The iPad 2 also incorporates a Built in 25 Watt Hour Lithium-Polymer Battery and up to 10 hours of battery life (normal usage).


Over all the iPad 2 was an impressive and fun Tablet PC to toy with. Apple's utilization of UI and Easy-of-Use make the iPad 2 a device for simple folk or Tech Savvy gearheads.


The Apple iPad 2


After playing around with the iPad 2, I decided to check out a few more, non Apple related, Tablet PCs. 
I found the Samsung Galaxy Tab, specifically the P1000, to be just as user friendly as the iPad 2. The main reason I found the Galaxy Tab to be easy to use, is because it was modeled after the Samsung Galaxy Cell Phone. Since I've had a Samsung Galaxy Phone before, I felt very comfortable using the Tab. Despite having used a Galaxy like device before, I believe if you've seen or used any Android OS before, you should feel right at home.


The Galaxy Tab has been fitted with a 7 Inch WSVGA (Widescreen Super Video Graphics Array) TFT (active matrix) Screen @ 1024 x 600 Pixel Resolution. Although not as big as the 9 Inch iPad 2 screen, 7 Inches felt quite alright. There have already been talks of integrating AMOLED Technology in the up and coming Samsung Galaxy Tablets, so be sure to keep an eye out for that! On the inside, the Galaxy Tab is powered by a Cortex A8 1GHz (Hummingbird Processor) with 512MB (ROM) and 592MB (RAM), although not as fast as a dual core, it was sufficient enough that it didn't keep me waiting for pages or apps to load. Unlike the iPad 2, the Galaxy Tab is expandable via a Micro SD slot. Up to 32GB's too. Unfortunately, the Galaxy Tab is fitted with a measly 3 MP Camera with Auto Focus on the backside and a 1.3 MP Camera on the front, which allows video conferencing capabilities. As far as battery life goes, the Galaxy Tab, also, is capable of 10 hours of normal usage, and an impressive 7 hours if watching High Definition videos.


Cosmetically the Galaxy Tab doesn't look as sleek as the iPad 2, but felt extremely comfortable and light in my hands. It was handheld, not "handsheld." I would be afraid to drop this Tablet PC too or any Tablet PC for that matter so I looked into the Covers and Cases they sell and compared them with our CASES and COVERS.


Overall the Samsung Galaxy Tab, isn't up to par with the iPad 2, but it gets the job done for an average consumer.. I am aware that I am comparing two different types of technology, within two different time frames. It's just nice to see how rapidly  technology is advancing. Already, several years after the release of a consumer Handheld Tablet PC, advancements are being and have been made, further propelling us to the future.


The Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000



Thursday, March 17, 2011

BRAND NEW JEWELRY ITEMS!

Hey Ladies! Just wanted to give you a heads up on our NEW JEWELRY ITEMS! We've just received a large quantity of RINGS, BRACELETS, NECKLACES, PENDANTS, EARRINGS, AND MORE!


These are made from the HIGHEST QUALITY STONES! We've got TOPAZ, QUARTZ, EMERALD, RUBY, JADE, AMETHYST, OLIVINE, and MORE!


Some necklaces should be AVAILABLE NOW, but more will be uploaded to eBay throughout the WEEKEND! You can click on this link, it'll take you to our NEWLY LISTED JEWELRY ITEMS!


Here are just a few PICTURES of our Jewelry Items!

RINGS






NECKLACES






EARRINGS






BRACELETS


Tuesday, March 15, 2011

DealStartsHere: Most Common Playstation 3 Problems/Issues/YLOD

We at DealStartsHere though we'd point out the Most Common PS3 Problems/Issues/YLOD. It seems that a large volume of PS3 have either died from overheating, broken DVD drives, or power supply failures. When dealing with these failures and/or defects, it's important that you DO NOT attempt to fix the PS3 on your own, unless you have proper documentation and know-how on repairing electronics! Typically the warranty on your PS3 is only good for 1 year from the date of purchase printed on the actual receipt.

Here are the top 5 Common Most Problems a PS3 can experience:

1. No Audio or Video. distorted Video, Interlacing Lines, only HDMI displays Video, or HDMI doesn't display video. Typically if you have one of these problems it's due to the YLOD (Yellow Light of Death).

2. XMB Bar or Menu freezes or crashes.

3. Overheating. The PS3 is designed to shut off if it detects a certain temperature. Usually it's because of poor air circulation (location of PS3 relative to space) or years and years of dust built up inside the system (it's almost like suffocating a PS3 of oxygen!)

4. DVD Drive does not read games, blu-ray movies, DVD's, and/or CD's. Several users have experienced extended load times, freezing in-game, noticeable choppiness, or the DVD drive sometimes working, other times not.

5. No power. PS3 does not show any signs of life what so ever, three beeps, or red blinking lights.

Possible Solutions to Fixing One or More of the Above:


1. NO AUDIO OR VIDEO: If for any reason you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, the first step would be to perform a manual display reset. You can perform a manual display reset by holding down the power button after powering up your PS3. You can release the power button after you hear 2 beeps and the PS3 will try to reset the video.

If manually resetting the video doesn't work your PS3 may have been subject to the YLOD or Yellow Light of Death. Basically, the Yellow Light of Death happens, when your PS3 overheats and causes the Graphics Chip (RSX Chip) to separate from the motherboard. Once the chip separates from the motherboard, your PS3 will detect this and give an error.

The YLOD is one of the most common problems experienced by users. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to fix on your own and any or all tutorials on how to fix this problem are only temporary.

Fortunately, you can purchase a new RSX Graphics Chip HERE and ask a repair shop to remove the old chip and put the new one in. We found that http://www.gadgetgrave.com was a reliable and effective source to fix your PS3 or Xbox 360.

2. XMB MENU FREEZING: Although this is a very common problem, it's also the easiest of the five to fix! You perform a System Restore by going into SETTINGS -> SYSTEM RESTORE.

Unfortunately, it will erase everything and reboot the system. I have heard of several users who have removed their PS3's Hard Drive to backup some data.

3. OVERHEATING: The number one cause of overheating is dust accumulation! Dust will build up in the fan and the vents, restricting the flow of air out of the PS3. Luckily this fix isn't too difficult either. You can take your PS3 outside and blow compressed air all around the vents to break up the dust build up. If this doesn't work you may have to replace your fan, as it has lived its life to the fullest and is dying slowly! You can purchase some replacement fans HERE.

Another, more dangerous, solution would be to clean and reapply the thermal compound on the GPU and CPU of your PS3. You can look on YouTube or Google for tutorials on how to do this.

4. DVD DRIVE DOESN'T READ DISCS: It seems a large number of users who are experiencing this problem are victims of the Sony defect. The DVD Drives typically last an average of 1 to 3 years with average usage.

The number one solution to this problem is to replace the entire DVD drive itself! you can find a lot of PS3 repair parts HERE.

Another solution would be to clean the lens itself with a Q-Tip and cleaning solution. CAUTION: the lens is extremely sensitive, clean with care! If you do mess up the lasers lens, you can buy some replacement ones HERE.

5. NO POWER: Usually power failure isn't a big problem, so you haven't much to worry about! You can easily swap out this power supply by yourself! Open up your PS3 and remove the power supply and write down the model number. You can buy replacement power supplies HERE.

Hopefully this small guide/tutorial will help you with whichever common PS3 problem you have. Again you can buy a lot of PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PSP, DSi, iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Laptop Repair Parts HERE.

Friday, March 11, 2011

DealStartsHere: Tax Season Stimulus SALE!


April 15th Tax Season Stimulus Sale

Visit our store March 18th to April 15th to get SPECIAL DISCOUNTS on MOST OF OUR ITEMS!
Here's our SALE Schedule:

JEWELRY/PETS: March 18th to March 25th

HEALTH & BEAUTY: March 25th to April 1st

VIDEO GAME: April 1st to April 8th

ELECTRONICS/REPAIR PARTS: April 8th to April 15th