Windows Live Messenger (MSN) Error 1603

It came to my attention that some of us are experiencing problems with MSN messenger. And when attempted to reinstall or upgrade to a later version, it returns with an error code 1603. It does not allow you to reinstall, and you are ended up with your MSN messenger not working.

After trying loads of other solutions, I only found this to have solved the problem. Check out the link here.

The Dawn of High Definition

You've heard the marketing chatter, but in this article, we show you what high-definition capable hardware and content can offer you. Read on as we show you what's it like to watch movies, play games and capture videos, all in HD. Trust us, you will never want to turn back to standard definition after reading this.

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N-Gage returns from the ashes

Nokia's game-centric mobile phone never quite caught on, but this time the mobile phone giant has a new approach to rope in the video game generation. The N81 goes into landscape mode for mobile gaming.Mention "N-Gage" to gamers and you will probably elicit a few snickers.

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2007 Toyota Rav 4 Review

Before I start, the above is a fun commercial of the Toyota Rav 4. :)




Okay, now let's get down to business. The reason why I decided to do a review on this SUV is because of the fact that, it has become a very popular car, and over the weekend when I visited the showrooms, I was amazed at the fact that they were all sold out, with no fresh stocks for 2 months at least. Not even a demo car. Now, that is a feat!

The Toyota Rav 4. Year 2007. What is different? On first sight, you will notice that it is much longer than the previous model. It fact, it has a long wheel base measuring a wheelbase of 2660 mm. It looks like a grown up RAv 4, more luxurious and sophisticated. I think SUVs are heading that direction. Look at the CRV, same direction. The Rav 4 now measures 4600 mm in length, 1855 mm in width and and stands 1730 mm tall.

The car comes with Active Torque Control 4WD, which adopts an electronically controlled coupling for the front and rear differentials, and decides how much torque is split between the front and rear wheels. This means that road conditions are continuously being monitored to switch between 2WD and 4WD mode. It saves more fuel than a full time 4WD system, and seems the logical way to go.



Powering the Rav 4 for the Asean model is a 2.4l VVT-i engine, which produces 125kW of power and 224Nm of torque. The transmission is still a 4-speeder, and I think they should give it a 5-speeder as most competitors already do. Nevertheless, the drive is much more refined than the previous model. Minimum turning radius of the car is 5.3m, which is acceptable for a car of this size.

For safety, the Rav 4 comes with 4 wheel disc brakes with the front vented, coupled with ABS with EDB (Electronic Brake Force Distribution). This is helpful in distributing the brake force between the front and rear wheels under slippery conditions, and resulting in less brake locks. It even comes with hill start assist, which will help hold the car on a slope to prevent roll backs when you switch from your brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Of course on top of this, you have your usual airbags and crumple zones.

Stepping inside the car, you will notice a nicely improved interior. The dash is not too overly cluttered, and everything is within easy reach helped by the excellent driving position. You will find various convenient storage compartments as well. The meters look great. Being Optitron Meters, they are nice and bright with a tinge of Lexus influence. This is a good sized family car, with big enough front and rear seats, plenty of legroom, what more can you ask for?



One of he things I like best about this car is that there is ample rear leg room being a long wheel base car. I have driven some SUVs before, and being almost 6 ft tall and having long legs, the rear passengers always have very little legroom left. This is not a problem with the Rav 4. I have seen similar SUV models and the Rav 4 is tops in this department. Also, the rear seats can be folded to provide a huge storage area. If you are looking for a spacious SUV, the Rav 4 deserves a look at least.

Nokia N95 8GB Release Specs

Nokia Asia released pre-launch info on the 8GB N95. Appearance wise, it looks almost identical the the current batch of N95s, except for a slight difference of the buttons on the front fascia. More info on the appearance and release specs can be viewed here.

Gameshop - A Website Review

Today's website review is on a gaming products website known as Gameshop. It is an online store based in Singapore that offers games on various platforms and PC related items.

Although they have a physical address, they do not operate as a retail store where you can just walk in and buy your games. It is strictly an online store, meaning, you can only make your orders online.

The good thing about this store is that, they are extremely up to date with the latest releases of games, and this puts even the bigger local stores to shame. Whatever I cannot find in the local stores, I can get it here. Also good it that they provide free delivery for local orders at least, and delivery is fast, and most items are received within 24 hours. You can even choose your desired delivery time slot, which I think is simply great!

I think customer service is important in any type of business, and I am glad to say that they are most eager to answer any questions that you may have. Very friendly staff, a plus point here. So, is everything good? Obviously, there is always two side to a coin isn't there?

Well, their prices are not the cheapest out there. I can often find cheaper prices at some of the local stores, but not by much. For instance, PC games can be bought at $1 cheaper elsewhere. A Razer Tarantula keyboard can be bought at $10 cheaper elsewhere. So yes, price differences varies with different products.

All in all, I still recommend it for it is one of the better local online game stores out there.

Review of Vaja i-Volution case for Nokia N95

When I got the press release of the new i-Volution case from Vaja, of course I am keen to take a closer look. Afterall, being a past customer of Vaja in the past, I am very happy with the high standards of quality this company offers, despite the high price and often 1 month waiting time, although for this particular case for the Nokia N95, it only takes 10 days.

As a owner of the Nokia N95, it is quite obvious by now that there aren't a lot of cases available on the market for it, mostly for the fact that it is a slider phone, which makes it more difficult to design one. Taking a closer look at the i-Volution, you will see that the design is simple, covering only the back of the phone with cutouts for the camera and side buttons. This is a let down, as the most important part of the phone, being the front with the screen is left exposed with nothing at all.

Even though Vaja can offer a palette of colours in customizations, it will not be an ideal case to get, as it offers minimal protection for the front of the phone. A more recommended alternative will be the Noreve Case.

Mitsubishi Galant Fortis

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces the market launch of the Galant Fortis*1, a new style sedan, at affiliated dealerships throughout Japan today. Powered by a 2.0-liter engine, two- and four-wheel drive Galant Fortis models carry a price tag ranging from 1,785,000 yen to 2,436,000 yen. (SUPER EXCEED and SUPER EXCEED NAVI PACKAGE trim levels are due to go on sale in late October.)

Galant Fortis is the first new sedan introduced by the company in Japan in seven years.Galant Fortis has been developed to a product concept that called for "a global sporty sedan that delivers high and well-balanced levels of safety, comfort and environmental performance." Development was aimed to create a new sedan distinguished by: a design that immediately identifies it as a Mitsubishi Motors sedan and gives expression to the feel, the purposefulness and the stable road stance associated with the sedan body style; and by a quality of handling and response and the particular flavor of ride that define the Mitsubishi Motors brand.

Principal product features are as follows:Galant Fortis achieves a global standard in living space with a wider and taller body without any undue stretching of overall length. With its wider track the packaging reconciles the requirements of stable handling and response with its excellent maneuverability that stems from a minimum turning radius of 5.0 m. Read more here.

Phones that work around the world

If you are planning to travel frequently but want to stay in touch at all times, GSM phones are probably the best bet. As different frequency bands are used in various countries, the rule of thumb when buying a phone for traveling is to look out for handsets which are either triband (GSM 900/1800/1900) or quadband (GSM 850/900/1800/1900).

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Leadtek Introduces the WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent

Leadtek unveils the WinFast PX8400 GS TDH Silent, a new entry level graphics card aiming to deliver noise free quality images.Leadtek Research Inc. today takes pride in the launch of a brand new entry-level graphics card, WinFast® PX8400 GS TDH Silent.

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Microsoft Reclusa Gaming Keyboard Review

The Microsoft Reclusa - a gaming keyboard released by Microsoft in a joint venture with Razer. If you are familiar with gaming PC accessories, then you will need no introduction to Razer. But why would you consider the Reclusa when there is the option of Razer's Tarantula gaming keyboard? For one, there is the price. The Tarantula retails for SGD$179, while the Reclusa is a cheaper alternative at SGD$110. Then let's take a look at the Reclusa.



On first sight when you open up the box, you will notice the keyboard is jet black in colour with a removable hand rest, which is padded and has a nice touch to it. You will also notice that this keyboard has quite a large footprint, and it is a wired one.

Therefore, you have to have enough desktop space to let this keyboard sit on. Being wired is supposedly to offer better response for gaming.

Examining it closer, you will see that this keyboard has a nice visual feel to it, with blue backlighting for the keys.





A gamer's trademark, especially if you have a blue Razer mouse, it will fit the theme nicely.

However, if you do not like the backlighting, you cannot dim it down or turn it off. It is there, whether you like it or not. This is not such a big deal. There are a few nice touches to this keyboard besides the gaming aspect of it. The USB is gold plated, there are two USB ports left and right of the keyboard (which I really like), and there is a nice compartment for for cables underneath the keyboard. Very thoughtful design, and it works well.


This being a gaming keyboard spots quite a few features such as low latency keys for superior gaming response, two 360 degree jog dials on each side, four programmable buttons for common tasks, six programmable hotkeys, and on the fly profile management. All these have one goal, and that is to make your gaming experience easier and more complete by offering user customizations.

All in all, I feel that it is a value for money gaming keyboard, but not without its flaws. As a personal take, I would save up and get the Tarantula from Razer instead.

2007 Toyota Camry Review

The Toyota Camry, a mid sized family sedan that needs no introduction. It is a bit like your favourite bike that you have owned for years. You know that there will be no surprises, and you know that it will work in getting you there. But there is something different for the 2007 models.

First off, look at the new styling. It has a much bolder face than before. Perhaps, it is an effort to stray away from the bland styling of the previous generation Camry. Whatever it is, I think it creates a more agressive stance, with the front nose design sloping downwards. It is very much in tune with the latest design trends. A hint of Audi and Alfa Romeo if your imagination is good.

The rear looks neat as well, inspired by design from the Lexus IS250, and it spots an integrated boot lid. Nothing revolutionary here, but it looks good as a whole package. Similar themes flow into the interior design. You get a roomy and well appointed interior, the usual storage compartments, a gated gear shift and even some"simulated wood trims". Nothing to shout about, but nothing to complain about.

The local models are available in 2.0L and 2.4L. The main difference with the 2.4L is that, you get 5 speed automatic instead of 4 speed, and 167bhp instead of 147bhp. Oh yes, you do get 224 Nm of torque instead of 190 Nm. Equipment wise, they are virtually identical. The car rides well over road bumps and on highways. However, this is no Lexus, so expect some road noise especially when crusing on highways.