Galaxy S2 Kies stuck at "Preparing firmware update components"

Yes yes yes, well its related to the machine because I was using the desktop to upgrade the Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 to ICS.

I was stuck at this screen for quite some time. It gets stuck at "Preparing firmware update components". Looking up at forums with people having the same issue. The fix apparently, is not to use your USB 3G dongle with Kies for updating firmware. So I switched to WiFi and update progressed as expected.

The USB 3G dongle I used was a Novatel MC950D.

All is well.

A cheap gaming mouse for 10 dollars

My Gigabyte GM-M6980 ceased to function due to a "fall". Having to go back to a Logitech K200 mouse for gaming proved difficult. While waiting for the warranty exchange, I thought of getting a temporary gaming mouse.

It was either the newly launched Sensonic Orthros 2 for 17 dollars, non laser and switchable DPI of 800/1200/1600/2400. Another option was a Gigabyte laser mouse GM-M6880 version 1 for around the same price. But it only had two switchable DPI, 800/1600.