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Thursday, February 25, 2010

You should not need to download additional software for the use of this device, but if your package had a missing or damaged disk, the software links above contain the same files as the disks included in the packages.

Instructions:

1. Insert the Bluetooth Dongle into the USB Port of your computer.

2. Wait a moment for your computer to detect the hardware and download the necessary drivers. Once complete, you should see an icon in the right hand side of your taskbar with the bluetooth icon. 

3. At this point, your Bluetooth Dongle is ready to use. Make sure that the device you wish to pair using your Bluetooth Dongle is set to discoverable status, which essentially means that you have turned on Bluetooth for that device.

4. Double-click on the icon.

5. Once your device is ready, click the "Add..." button.


6. On the next screen, check the box that says "My device is set up..." and then click "Next":


7. It will take a few moments to search for the device. Once found, highlight and click "Next".

8. You will then be shown a list of options for a passkey. You may choose any of these. The passkey is not a specific set of numbers already determined by either of your devices unless explicitly stated. After clicking on one of the options and hitting next, you will be prompted to enter the number code into your other device.

9. Once you enter the number properly, Bluetooth will finish installing your device. Click "Finish" and your computer and your connected device are now paired and you can send and receive files between the two.
Sending Files

1. If you want to send a file from your computer to your device, right-click on the Bluetooth icon. You will need to highlight the device that you are sending a file to. The use of a passkey for this process is optional.

2. Click "Browse" to find the file you wish to send.

3. You will receive a notification on your device letting you know that a file wants to be sent to it. Accept the file.


Troubleshooting

Q.  Why isn't Bluetooth finding my device?

A.  Make sure that your device is on and put into "Discovery Mode," which allows it to be seen by other devices.

Q.  Why do I get an error message when I try to send a file?

A.  The file you are sending may be too big to be held by your device. Check with the instruction manual for the device or your service provider, where applicable, to find out the size capacity and limitations for data.


by: Shop HDE

We braved the onslaught of winter to come in to work today, because we love you.
Actually, the roads are fine. Despite the snowstorm forecasts, we expect no delays in getting any orders out this week, although we can't say whether delivery will be affected: that's up to the postal service.

 
Opening scene of "Winter's Revenge", a new production opening soon by HDE.


by: Shop HDE

Tuesday, February 23, 2010
How can we sell HDMI switches, memory card readers, camera cases, webcams, and everything else so cheaply?

The answer is in the packaging. Really.

The difference between our camera case and an official Sony,  Kodak, Panasonic, etc. case is that ours doesn't have the brand name emblem on it. That little emblem is why you pay two or three times as much for the "other" camera case. Same item. 

Okay, so you're already familiar with the price of name-brand items versus the price of generic items.

What's with all the other stuff? 
The lack of retail packaging. We can buy (and sell to you) at a discount because our manufacturers don't have to add the extra step of packaging our items for retail sale in a big-box store. In a brick-n-mortar retail environment, you can browse all kinds of packages and so they compete for your attention visually. In an internet retail environment, the buyer frequently knows what he or she is searching for, and seeks out the best deal. And of course, you can almost always get a better deal online because our products don't have to spend extra money to grab your attention from a store shelf. Make sense?

Many of our items come securely packaged in just what they require for shipping. They lack the extra blister packages, cardboard inserts, and such. This not only saves money, it saves other economic resources and is better for the environment, too. 

Feel good about saving money!


by: Shop HDE

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
With a catalog of over 500 items, it's easy to lose track of all the great gadgets we have around here. I just re-discovered The PC Remote Control and I'm loving it.

Generally, when using a computer, you're sitting right in front of it and there's no need for a remote control. But then, when all your music is stored and played back through the computer, you run into this dilemma (okay, well, I do): you're cleaning a room or your house and you want to listen to music, but it's inconvenient to have to run back to the machine every few minutes to skip a song or find a new one or get a new playlist.
My friend, you need a remote control.

The PC Remote Control will happily do these things for you, and from a range of up to 59 feet! You can use it as a wireless mouse to navigate on-screen and to open and close various programs. You can even set four hotkeys to open the programs of your choice. And the best part is, it's really freaking simple to use! Just plug in the USB receiver and start using it. No setting up or configuration required! Genius.



by: Shop HDE

Tuesday, February 16, 2010
If you're a fan of Kevin Smith or a regular news watcher, you may have already gotten wind of this story. Southwest Airlines got some sort of stick up its butt over seating arrangements and kicked Mr. Smith off of a flight. He was rightfully upset about it; not only did they make him leave his flight, they insinuated he was too fat for a seat. Then, instead of apologizing or even offering a proper explanation of their decision to remove him from the flight, Southwest just made the situation worse by giving Smith the run-around.

So Kevin did the right thing. He tweeted the incident in real-time. His Twitter feed has over 1.6 million subscribers. The media effect snowballed from there.


All it takes to spread the word is networking.


by: Shop HDE

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Just an update on your orders, folks. Due to the severe, extreme weather in the Northeast, HDE has had to shut down for a day. Your orders will be processed with lighting speed as soon as we are able to get back to work, so no worries!
Really, I should say the weather is exxxxtreeeeeeemeee. I mean even the highways are closed. Hope you're all safe and sound and having fun in the snow!


by: Shop HDE

Friday, February 5, 2010

One thing we want to do with this blog is to help educate our customers about our products. To that end, we're going to post helpful tips that can help you to pick the right item. For example, in the last year, we have started stocking several hard drive enclosures. While they are fairly simple to use, it's important to buy the right type of enclosure for your hard drive. Do you have a SATA drive or an IDE (also called PATA) hard drive? Here's how to tell.

This is what a SATA hard drive interface looks like. The power and data cable connectors are L-shaped, with flat metal contacts.









An IDE hard drive has round pins in its power and data connectors.

All hard drives require a connection for both power and data. The power connector is what connects the hard drive to the motherboard (or "host") to send data, and the power connector plugs the hard drive into the computer's power supply unit. Some SATA drives will have both types of power connectors: SATA and  Molex (for IDE drives). If your SATA hard drive has both types of power connectors, you only need to connect one or the other, but not both.

Additionally, when using an IDE hard drive in an enclosure, the jumper needs to be set in the Master position on the jumper bank. Your hard drive should have a sticker that shows the jumper bank settings. More info on jumpers can be found in the second list down below. 

Finally, why all the fuss over IDE or SATA? Here's a quick breakdown:

  • SATA stands for Serial ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment).
  • SATA technology is newer and will eventually replace IDE. Currently, we are in a transition period between the two interface types, and that's why some hard drives have both Molex and SATA power connectors. The power connectors must connect to the computer's power supply. Some power supplies are intended for either SATA or IDE, and may not have plugs for both types of connectors. Adapters for power supply plugs are available as well. 
  • The SATA interface transmits data faster than the older IDE type, and uses a smaller cable. Because the cable is less bulky, it promotes more efficient air circulation and cooling in a computer case (always a good thing).
  • SATA drives do not require setting jumpers. Only one drive can be attached to a SATA cable, so there is no need to identify it as a Master (primary) or Slave (secondary drive).

  • IDE stands for Integrated Drive Electronics. Since the introduction of SATA, IDE has also been retroactively named PATA, for Parallel ATA. 
  • IDE technology is older, and is being replaced by SATA.
  • IDE drives use wide, flat cables usually called ribbon cables, which allow up to two drives to be connected to the motherboard (or "host") via one cable. Because two drives can be used with one cable (and thus, one motherboard connector), the drives must be marked as either Master (primary) or Slave (secondary) drives. This is accomplished with jumpers, which are tiny plastic and metal "caps" that fit over jumper pins on the drive itself. When the jumper cap is on, these pins connect a circuit, and allow the host computer to identify the drive as master or slave. Whenever an IDE drive is the only drive present on the cable, its jumper should be set to Master. Also, when you are using an IDE drive in an enclosure, the jumper should be set in the Master position.
  • IDE drives usually have a sticker showing the correct position for the jumper to set it as Master or Slave. If the sticker doesn't show this, you can Google "jumper settings" and the brand and model number of your drive to find out what the settings should be.







by: Shop HDE

Yesterday we posted our first video on YouTube! Look for more in the coming weeks and months as we create and upload videos demonstrating our favorite and most popular products and how to use them.


by: Shop HDE

Thursday, February 4, 2010


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5mW Green Laser Pointer Pen