About Being Quiet Today
Yes, it has been light again today. Yes the computer rebuilding is eating up a lot of time. But I couldn't even blog most of the day because of a fluky internet connection. After the internet ate two attempts at a post, I gave up until it improved. (It also slowed down the repair of the computers since I couldn't reliably download updates. Some of the "smart" updaters could handle a dropped connection. Others ran off into the corner and beat their fists against the wall. Or I did, as the case may be. But as of right now, the network is back on line in the Crabitat and all of the major problems appear - for now - to be somewhat under control.
Well, except for the lost pictures and such. But I just backed up everything on my main box (Which had stayed up and running through all these problems thanks to a ruthless firewall. After I finally solved the driver problem on it (it was a sound driver for AC '97 chips. There is a new one out if you are using on-board sound that uses that chip - you might want to upgrade). But at the moment I am running two computers at once in my office, tied together with a KVM switch. That can be a little disorienting when you forget which one you're working on. But I can update one and still be able to work off the other with one keyboard and monitor.
You know, it takes almost a full day to gut a system, re-install all the drivers and software and download and install all the vital fixes, patches, bells and whistles to a computer from scratch. And that is at DSL speeds. Sad. (I'm sure other folks can do it faster. But I was being extremely cautious to make sure the problems were gone for good.)
But I'll have to go fix my son's computer next. Kaspersky says there is a keylogger on it. There goes another day.
Geek Stuff, Uncategorized | Gaius Monday, 5 March , 2007
By Blackhawk, Monday, 5 March , 2007 @ 10:03 pm
Gaius, I’m not sure if this will help (shamelessly pilliaged from Argghhh! (http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/i_think_its_funny/)
I understand BCR Labs is working on some additional apps…
As I discovered, being on Wife 3.x myself, “dot zero, much less One-dot-Zero releases can be very tricky programs. Of course, I only recommend switching OS’s as a last resort. The upfront and downstream costs can be immense, and any interim OS’s will have their own bugs.
INSTALLING HUSBAND 1.0
Dear Tech Support,
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance — particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.
In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0 , NBA 3.0, and Golf Clubs 4.1.
Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I’ve tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.
What can I do?
Signed, Desperate
—————————————————————–
Dear Desperate:
First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an Operating System. Please enter the command: “http: I Thought You Loved Me.html ” and try to download Tears 6.2 and
don’t forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.
But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband
1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta.
Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources). Also, do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.
In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance.
We recommend Food 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.
Good Luck, Tech Support
H/t, Tommy V.
By Blackhawk, Monday, 5 March , 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Also, I’m not as computer-savvy as you, but a few things I’ve learned (the hard way, usually):
1. Yelling at your computer doesn’t work. It can draw attention to your problems (but not necessarily computer problems).
2. Threats of physical abuse to your offending computer also don’t work.
3. Actual physical abuse to said offender also doesn’t work. But it often makes you feel better, until you realize the cost of repairs (or replacement).
4. Re: #3. Computers were not meant to fly. If they were, they would have wings.
5. IT folks are not counselors. They do not have comfy couches for you to flop down on and vent your frustrations. Projecting your frustrations regarding computer problems to IT folks is generally a bad idea.
6. Your co-workers are also not counselors.
7. There is no deity associated with computers. Offerings and sacrifices at the alter of your computer will not keep the ‘gods’ happy. It may, however, draw attention (see #1).
8. Your mouse is not a stress-relief object (see #3). Nor is it meant to fly (#4).
9. Shoe polish does not clean up easily from computers. Nor is it considered ‘fair wear and tear’.
10. Divining rods, chicken bones, holy water and their ilk have no measurable positive effects on computers.
Hope that helps (learn from others!).
By Gaius, Monday, 5 March , 2007 @ 11:57 pm
The chicken bones won’t work? Dammit. All that time wasted.