technical

Repost: Extremely Dirty Computer. Things we do for friends.

~ Ron Walker ~ 21 Comments

I brought this old post back from May 2013. While I was blowing out my computers this morning and though they are only slightly dusty, something triggered this memory. It was one of those neighbors, who after they learn you work on computers as a hobby ask if you mind taking a look at it. Out of kindness you do a favor.

One of the worst  computers I ever worked on. While we all know that computers will gather dust and none are them are perfect after owned awhile. You expect to maybe have to blow some dust out when you work on one. This is an actual computer that I worked on once in Sept 2009 for someone in the community. I should have refused, but donning gloves, a mask, and doing it outside on top of the garbage can, I managed to clean is some, not totally, but enough that it would again run without totally overheating.

Photo by Ron

There were no bugs in it, but that is probably complimentary of the bugs having better taste, than take up residence in there.

First inspection, with this much dust and dirt you can imagine what the CPU fan/heat-sink looked like under that green air hood. They reported it had a “slight” over heating problem, It’s a wonder the CD player worked. The environment was a house with lots of small dogs, on a very dusty dirt road and vinyl floors.

Photos by Ron

Would you type on this? I suggested they trash it. I used my own keyboard for testing the computer.

Photos by Ron

After taking the unit outside where I had a compressed air supply, I removed the green air tunnel. It is rumored that when I hit it with the high pressure air, that I disappeared for a few moments till I ran from the cloud. Fire Rangers in their fire towers seeing the cloud, probably thought our home had been hit with a small tactical nuke.  I would think that Air Traffic was probably diverted around our area for a short while.

I managed to get most of it out using the air and some large type Q-tips. I didn’t scrub it hard so it was still a tad dusty in places, but I didn’t want to crumble something into dust if that was what still held it together.

All photos by Ron

Comments welcome!

Goodbye to Microsoft Vista (End of Life)

~ Ron Walker ~ 14 Comments

As of today, Microsoft Vista has reached ‘end-of-life’. There will be no further updates or support of any type for the operating system. Some loathed it, some had very few problems with it.

As I post this I am uninstalling Vista. I have used it since 2008. That Vista machine ran my 5 webcams for security around the house, and a weather station that sent pictures and weather updates to my weather website. I am changing that computer over to Linux now.

Vista served me well for the two simple tasks I needed it for. Now I need to find two replacement programs to for the weather and webcams, that run on Linux.

Do you remember your days with Vista? There were a lot of snags with that version as I recall, I was glad to move on up to Win7.

Comments Welcome.

I feel like an expectant Father

~ Ron Walker ~ 2 Comments

I haven’t made a post in a couple of days and I am dying to make one. I found this opportunity to do so as I need to update everyone on a URL change.

I decided to move my Blog to its own domain so it could run smoother and maintenance would be simpler. As it is I have two websites and an Arcade on my current host and the resources are getting a tad skimpy.

As some of you may know, you order a domain name, then you get the service you want and then the waiting game commences. Your domain name stored by Domain Name Servers (DNS) which have to propagate all over the world. When someone types in your URL it finds your domain easily. This as they say can take 24 to 72 hours.

So I have been working around the house, chomping at the bit waiting to access my new digs and get the blog transferred. I have seen it happen before in about 2-3 hours but that was long ago in a galaxy far away. So I go wash dishes, then check the DNS servers. I go weed eat the yard, then check the DNS servers. I watch TV, then check the DNS servers. I’m beginning to think that a watched domain never registers, just like a watched pot never boils as they say.

I’m sure it will kick in here soon. I have had it take 24 hours and I think I am nearing the 24 hour mark before long. I’ll make it or I’ll just have to take some medication and start learning to knit.

Anyway if any of you stop by here and my redirect doesn’t work properly when I get things transferred, The new URL will be http://www.rons-country.com or just rons-country.com  Anyone coming there from the Forum will get the proper URL by clicking on the Blog link there then you can save it or edit your current bookmark.

Here’s hoping for DNS propagation by tomorrow!

Comments welcome.

 

Never underestimate the value of good backups

~ Ron Walker ~ 4 Comments

I was here working on the Blog last night trying to make sure I had all my ducks in a row so that google can find me under the new name since the Blog was formerly “The Country Depot Forum Blog” for the last few years.

I operate this Blog from a self hosting account as you have noticed. That means I have to take care of all the things regarding programs and tweaks myself. I had my program Filezilla open, for those not familiar with it the program allows you to transfer or edit files on your server just like windows explorer on the computer. It was mundane maintenance and about 15 minutes into my work I notice activity on the screen and the word “delete” scrolling up the column. That is never a good thing to see unless you have requested that action.

By the time I stopped the operation it had deleted enough various files that my Personal Website, Our Former Great Dane Site, The Arcade I have for the members of the forum, and this Blog were unable to load. Fortunately the Forum was on another server altogether and not affected. I may have bumped something on the keyboard not realizing it, or clicked the wrong option in a hurry (good lesson, never be in a hurry working on a website).

I felt sick to my stomach.  I located my backups and started uploading critical files back to the server. I was up and running again in about 30 minutes. The databases were not affected so no posts or other information was lost. This is the first time it has happened in 10 years. The importance of good backups can’t be stressed enough for your personal computers or websites. You never know when Murphy’s Law will drop in, probably why I like to keep “2” backups around.

Comments are always welcome,