The most popular archive is the ZIP format. So how do you open the other archive file formats such as .RAR, .CAB, .ACE, .7z, .TAR, .ARJ, .LZH, .GZ, etc.
The WinZip program is pretty much a standard installation in all my computers including the one at work. When I got my computer replaced at work, our IT department installed WinZip in the computer before it was even delivered to me. When I bought a new computer last year, one of the installation CDs had WinZip in it for me to install.
WinZip can open the ZIP archive format but what about the other archive formats like .RAR, .CAB, .ACE, .7z, .TAR, .ARJ, .LZH, .GZ, . UUE, .BZ2, etc?
I can name two good programs which can compress and decompress many archive formats other than .ZIP.
Continue Reading… »
February 3rd, 2009 | Tech Tips | Written by Ige | No Comments 
With just a simple update of your Microsoft Office 2000, XP, or 2003, you would now be able to open Microsoft Office 2007 files (.docx, .xlsx, and, .pptx).
A lot of the people I know still use Microsoft Office 2003. Some still use Office 2000 and Office XP. A few of them are using Microsoft Office 2007.
There would be a few instances however; that these people still using Microsoft Office 2000, XP, and 2003 would need to open a Microsoft Office 2007 document. Microsoft Office 2007 documents are now saved in a new format which is .docx (Microsoft Word), .xlsx (Microsoft Excel), and .pptx (Microsoft Powerpoint). If you tried to open these documents in Microsoft Office 2000, XP, and 2003, you wouldn’t be able to.
Continue Reading… »
February 1st, 2009 | Tech Solutions | Written by Ige | 2 Comments 
Here are three easy steps on how to password protect a folder containing important files located in your hard drive in a Windows operating system.
I’m sure most of us all have files which we don’t want anyone else to see. Our PC may have password protection during logon, but this usually isn’t enough as some (like in my case), have several users.
I’ve even tried hiding files and folders to no avail. The search function of Windows is too good that it can search hidden files and folders.
So how do we really secure our personal files?
Continue Reading… »
January 29th, 2009 | Tech Tips | Written by Ige | No Comments 
Using the best free video conversion software and the right settings, you’ll have the best movies and videos for your Nokia 5800.
The Nokia 5800 is not just for music but is also one of the best mobile phones to watch videos and movies because of its large display size (640×360). We’ve already shown in previous articles how to convert videos/movies for other mobile phones such as the Nokia E71, E61i, E61 and Sony Ericsson P1i.
Now we’ll convert videos or movies for the Nokia 5800.
 |
| The Nokia 5800 in Batman – The Dark Knight Movie |
Continue Reading… »
January 24th, 2009 | Video Conversion | Written by Ige | 272 Comments 
When you can’t update your Free Avira Antivir Personal Edition Antivirus due to “No Valid License File” or Expired License, here is how to solve it.
I have the free antivirus Avira Antivir Personal Edition installed in my laptop but rarely update it as it doesn’t always have an Internet connection. When I do have an Internet connection, I even forget to update the Avira Antivir.
When I did remember one time, I tried to update the Avira Antivir when I was connected to the Internet. However the update failed and it gave me the error message “No Valid License File Found”. When I viewed the error logs, it indicated that the License Key has expired.

Continue Reading… »
January 22nd, 2009 | Tech Solutions | Written by Ige | 30 Comments 
By again using the best free video conversion software and the right settings, you’ll have the best movies and videos for your Sony Ericsson P1i.
The Sony Ericsson P1i is another mobile phone which can be used to watch videos and movies because of its large screen. It has a resolution of 320×240 – 320 being its height and 240 its width. However, when you watch videos / movies using the P1i in full screen, the orientation would become landscape and the width now becomes 320 and the height becomes 240.
That’s why we’ll also be using the conversion settings of the E71 / E61i / E61 in the previous article I have written. Let’s do a quick recap:
Super Video Converter
Download first the SUPER converter from their website Erightsoft. If you’re having trouble finding the download link, you may download it at the Softpedia website. Be sure to download it from the RO location and not US.
If it’s your first time to use Super, you can read How to Use Super Video Converter.
Once you’ve successfully installed SUPER, just follow these settings:

Continue Reading… »
January 17th, 2009 | Video Conversion | Written by Ige | 2 Comments 
Using only one of the listed free Video / Movie Converters below for PSP, you could easily convert a video / movie for your watching pleasure.
Besides gaming, the PSP can also be used to watch movies or videos. However, unlike PSP games which come in one format only, videos have numerous file formats.
Here is a list of 3 absolutely free video / movie converters for your PSP. Just choose one that you are most comfortable with.
PSP Video 9
One of the most popular video converters, PSP Video 9 is made by Red Kawa, the makers of the famous video iPod / iPhone converter. It features two kinds of conversion, a Normal mode (for average users), and a Power mode (for experienced users).

Continue Reading… »
January 13th, 2009 | Video Conversion | Written by Ige | No Comments 
It’s hard to find good E71 / E63themes because of the different screen and so here are 16 free and amazing themes for your E71 / E63! I’ve tested the themes below so they will surely work.
The themes below were already tested with the E71 and the screenshots were also taken from an E71 itself. Be sure to check first with the author if you’re going to use them for other purposes other than for your own appreciation. (Most if not all are under the Creative Common Attribution – non commercial – non derivative works 3.0 License.
Enjoy!
Abstraction by PiZero


Continue Reading… »
January 10th, 2009 | Mobile Phone Themes | Written by Ige | 40 Comments 
With the extreme portability the Netbook like the EEE PC has given, is this portable DVD writer which runs only through USB connection (no AC adaptor required) worth our look?
External DVD and CD writers have been here quite a while now. However, I haven’t really been taking notice of them as I saw no reason why to get them. Although some of them were quite small already (most of them were big), they really weren’t portable as you had to lug around an AC adaptor which was sometimes, heavier than the gadget itself.
The only time I took notice, was when I saw the LG GP08-LU10 Slim External Super Multi DVD Rewriter. It attracted my attention as it claimed to be AC Adapter-less. It can run by just using the USB cable!

Let’s take a look first at its specs.
Continue Reading… »
January 7th, 2009 | Tech Reviews | Written by Ige | 54 Comments 
I’m proud to announce that TechieChips now has a new look! I’m sure you’ve noticed this but we now have a revamped logo, a new format design, plus other new features.
Aside from the noticeable new logo, the subscribe and email update buttons are now at the top so you would have an easier time to subscribe to updates on new articles from this site.
The sidebar now includes a live traffic widget which turns on for a few seconds whenever you go to this site. The most popular posts, the most recent posts, and the most active topics are now shown in tabs format.
If you look at the bottom of the posts or articles, you would notice the improved comments section, article promotion section, and related posts section. I hope this encourages you to comment, promote, and read more of the articles here.
Continue Reading… »
January 4th, 2009 | Tech Info | Written by Ige | 2 Comments