Computers and Internet

Monday, October 10, 2011

Melbourne Brisbane Computer Repairs, Website design & SEO

Posted: 09 Oct 2011 11:33 PM PDT

Its strange, but I’ve not encountered this type of problem before.

A PC has a failing motherboard, so I agree to install a new motherboard/CPU/RAM, and do a repair install of Windows so that no data is lost.

My first problem is that it appears that its not possible to do a repair install of Vista if it has SP1 or SP2 installed.

That shouldn’t be a problem, just create a slipstreamed Vista DVD, with SP2 included… But it seems that Microsoft have somehow prevented people from creating Vista SP2 slipstream DVDs…

Next step: download an ISO image of a standard VISTA SP2 DVD… But these disks seem very rare, and are usually “cracked”, which leads to other potential problems, despite me wanting to use the image legitimately.

Somehow, I stumble upon the windows sysprep command.

Since the motherboard is still mostly functional, I’m able to start the old Vista hardware, run the sysprep command (I use the GUI, and select the generalize, shutdown, and oobe options).

This tells Vista to forget any hardware specifics (which is what stops it from starting if the motherboard is changed), and to ask the usual questions that happen when the PC is started for the very first time (OOBE = out of box experience).

I now transplant the generalised hard drive to the new hardware, and the system now starts up, and allows me to install the new drivers.

The only problem with this, is that it won’t work if the motherboard fails completely, as its then not possible to “generalise” the Vista installation… In that case, its a backup, and clean install scenario.

Links for 2011-10-08 [Digg]

Posted: 09 Oct 2011 12:00 AM PDT

Steve Jobs, Atari Employee Number 40
Steve Jobs was a brilliant thinker, an inspiration, and a leader, but back in 1974 he was an 18-year-old dropout soldering resistors onto Atari's arcade games to save up for a spiritual journey to India.
Calif. OKs student aid for illegal immigrants
Illegal immigrants can now apply for state-funded scholarships and aid at state universities in California

Links for 2011-10-07 [Digg]

Posted: 08 Oct 2011 12:00 AM PDT

6 Green (and Easy) Ways to Heat Your Home
When the temperature starts to drop, heating costs typically go up. While there's not much you can do about energy prices, there are some ways to lower your heating bill, and make your home greener to boot. Here are a few inexpensive and eco-friendly ways to heat your home this winter.
Be Your Own Bank: New Laws Could Unleash Crowdfunding For Startups
As politicians left and right lament that stingy banks won't lend "to get the economy going again," another source of capital sits untapped precisely because the government stands in the way: You, me, and anyone else who wants to invest directly in fledgling companies.
The City That Always Smells: Scratch-and-Sniff Book Tours New York City's Scents
No matter how fine the prose or stunning the photography, any literary attempt to capture the essence of a city will miss the mark on one key characteristic: scent. Urban centers are a menagerie of smells, including everything from the delicious—freshly-baked bread, sizzling garlic, taco trucks—to the atrocious—garbage trucks, roadkill, or the Abercrombie & Fitch cologne counter.
ICE Chief Regularly Sent Child Porn, Ordered to Undergo Mental Evaluation
New details are coming out about the investigation that lead to the arrest of Anthony V. Mangione, South Florida's top immigration cop. The Sun-Sentinel reports that AOL e-mail accounts registered to Mangione regularly sent nude and pornographic images of children, including several images of nude children being spanked. Miami's chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also been ordered to undergo a mental evaluation.
TSA finds a new way to waste your money
$237 million more dollars down the drain.

Links for 2011-10-06 [Digg]

Posted: 07 Oct 2011 12:00 AM PDT

The Incidental Diet: How to Lose Weight Without Really Trying
A new study on the healthful effects of eating at home is only the latest to suggest that delusion, not discipline, is the way to a perfect body.
20 Unusual Uses for Vinegar
White distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar have hundreds of household, medical, beauty and horticultural uses like cleaning and soothing sore muscles.
International Travel Restrictions (Graphic)
Citizens of countries that are unpopular on the global stage often face great challenges in traveling abroad.
China Pays Tribute To Apple Boss
Across the globe the tributes have poured in for Apple co-founder Steve Job. A huge reaction to this news also on the web - in China alone more than 50 million messages have been posted on the Chinese equivalents of Twitter.
Steve Jobs' Mantra Rooted in Buddhism: Focus and Simplicity
Apple Products Are Meant to Be Freeing and Empowering, But AreThey Zen?
9 Dying Occupations -- Thanks To Technology
In the era of the Internet and further automation, a new generation of full-time workers is on the verge of losing their positions to technology.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Nita's Random Thoughts

Journey With Foreigner And Night Ranger Concert Key Arena Seattle Washington

Posted: 07 Oct 2011 08:27 AM PDT

Yesterday, dear hubby told me to get in touch with one of our friend to ask her if she could watch the kids on October 21st. I really didn't know, so I asked him why. Then, he told me that we're going to a Journey with Foreigner and Night Ranger concert at Key Arena, Seattle, Washington. Boy, you had no idea how ecstatic I am. We saw Journey with Heart and Cheap Tricks three years ago, however we can't wait to see them again on the 21st. This will be our early wedding anniversary night out.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

PC Solutions Area

Links for 2011-10-05 [Digg]

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 12:00 AM PDT

How To Remove Gall Bladder Stone Without Operation
Gall bladder stones today can be easily removed by operation and the so called laparoscopy, a process using laser to remove the gall bladder stone. But there are still ways you can take than undergo these expensive treatments and medicines to help...
Lemon Juice Relieve Asthma and Other Ailments
Lemon is no doubt the most powerful in terms of vitamins we get from it. Lemon assists in cleansing the system with impurities. Lemon is a powerful vitamin containing vitamin C which helps prevent diseases...
Affiliate Programs: Top Money Making Source Online
What are affiliate programs and how you can make money using them? Affiliate programs, also known as associate programs or publisher programs, are actually quite simple. And if you are an individual seeking...

Nita's Random Thoughts

Apple Founder Steve Jobs Dies | RIP Steve Jobs

Posted: 06 Oct 2011 07:07 AM PDT

Steven Paul "Steve" Jobs (born on February 24, 1955) was an American computer entrepreneur and inventor. He was co-founder,chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc. Jobs also previously served as chief executive of Pixar Animation Studios; he became a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company in 2006, following the acquisition of Pixar by Disney. He was credited in Toy Story (1995) as an executive producer. - Source: Wikipedia

On October 5, 2011, Jobs died in California at age 56 due to pancreatic cancer. May you rest in peace!

Melbourne Brisbane Computer Repairs, Website design & SEO

Setting Up Your Online “Dorm Room”

Posted: 05 Oct 2011 11:37 PM PDT

I’m a “tweener”. That is, I was born between those who did not need computer skills and those who inherently had them or were exposed to computers as part of their public school education. Finding it necessary to update my skill set so as to stay employed in an ever evolving workplace, I decided to go back to school to learn CSS and related web design techniques. With little extra time and a demanding work schedule, returning to campus was simply not in the cards. I chose online study through the continuing education division of a local 4 year college.

Being a bit “long in the tooth” as it were, I was unaware of all the peripherals that would be required for online study. If you’re thinking about taking courses over the internet, consider how you’ll set up your “online dorm room”.

The first step I took was to decorate my den with the same things I had adorned my dorm room with 40 years ago. “Let’s see, the moose head will go above the fireplace, the keg tap in the corner, lava lamp over here…” Hang a bra on one of the moose’s antlers and we’re done.

After deciding that I liked being married and wanted to stay that way, I removed it all post-haste.

It was time to get down to business and figure out what tools and peripherals I would need, so I put my beer goggles on and got to work. Here are the tools I found to be extraordinarily helpful:

Wireless Modem/Internet card

Having the flexibility to study anywhere in my home was essential. Also, if you spend most of your time running from one task to another, having the ability to study in a coffee shop is quite a perk.

Adequate Internet Connection

While almost any internet connection will do, if you’ve still got dial-up then you’ve got a problem. Even the least expensive DSL or cable packages will do, so check with your provider and upgrade if you need to. My basic DSL package worked great.

Chat Programs like Skype

You can still get to know your professor or classmates via Skype, a now widely used and FREE program. Just download the software and you can get face time with anyone anywhere, so long as they have the Skype software installed too.

Webcam

You can use Skype with just audio if you wish. To get the full experience though, you’ll need to attach a camera to your desktop. They are quite inexpensive for PCs. Cameras for macs are a bit more pricey. Shop around on e-bay as used ones are often posted
for sale at reasonable prices.

Open Office Software

Doing homework will require some kind of word processing software. While Microsoft Office is great, it’s also expensive. Expect to pay between $200-$400 US for your software. Open Office is a better alternative. It is an open source software that enables you to do everything Microsoft Word can do. And Open Office is FREE.

Whether you’re getting your teaching degree online or taking a one time course on how to handle hazmat materials, I suggest that you consult your course recommendations before compiling your list (and in the case of the hazmat course, please move far away from me).

By the way, all went well with my online final exam. My dog, cat, and I have decided to celebrate by having a frat party. We’ve invited a nearby sorority (that would be my wife) so it should be a blast. No need to worry as I’ll be the designated driver.

Maybe next semester we’ll hold our frat parties on Skype. Look for me. I’ll be the guy wearing beer goggles.

Richard Rossi is a guest blogger, published humor writer and children’s book illustrator from Greensboro, North Carolina. You can find him at his website, www.rossibook.com.

Nita's Random Thoughts

Three's A Crowd Lyrics By Trademark | Trademark "Three's A Crowd" Lyrics

Posted: 04 Oct 2011 10:42 PM PDT

Trademark is one of my favorite boy band. It's been a while since I wanted to see them in person. What I like about this group is that, most of their songs are amazing! Recently, I fell in love with their song called "Three's A Crowd".

Three's A Crowd Lyrics by Trademark

Inside this suitcase full of dreams
There are broken hearts and memories
A faded photograph of us
Is all that I have kept
Well you know it's not like me to cling
So I'll walk away from everything
'Cause I don't really wanna fight
Say something I'll regret
But I think you know that I love you still
I always have and always will

One heart is a lonely place
While you've been loving someone else
One heart is an island baby
Don't you think that i could tell
Two hearts would be perfect
But you know it's not a perfect world
There's only one thing left to say
That you should know by now
Three's a crowd

So tell me something I don't know
Like you - you don't ever wanna let me go
I heard he looks a lot like me
So will you promise him
That you will love him faithfully
You won't do to him what you did to me

CHORUS

How can you say that you are telling me the truth 'cause
Baby only fools believe
When there's so much to lose