This goes out to my father, and all other fans of the original Star Trek series.
Bill Shatner rocks. That is all.
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Devil in the Details
Despite our best efforts and intentions, I still don't have a computer.
When we ordered all the pieces and parts for the new compy, we selected an AMD Phenom II six-core processor and an MSI motherboard. We also picked up 4 gig of ram, several fans, and a new case. Everything else we already had and could easily transfer over.
Wednesday night, before I'd even finished taking all of the dinner dishes off of the table, Sammy was pulling out his card table and starting to open boxes up. It had the general feeling of Christmas morning--lots of oooooh shiny moments.
It took about three hours, but soon enough we had everything put together, and it was time to turn it on for the first time. With great joy and trepidation, Sam reached out and pushed the power button.
The box lit up, the drives all indicated that they were happy and ready to go, the motherboard has all of its little lights come on... and no video signal.
This was frustrating, as it was problems with video that caused Frank to go buh-bye.
So we proceeded to do a couple of hours of troubleshooting, and eventually determined that even though everything has power, the hard drives were never being accessed. Did a little more digging and determined that the bios wasn't even pulling up.
We then commence on a bit of research. After delving through the manufacturer's websites for our new components, we soon figured out that even though the motherboard said it was compatible with Phenom II processors, it wasn't compatible with this particular Phenom II processor.
So what this means is that we've shipped the motherboard back and we're waiting for a compatible motherboard to arrive.
Oi vey.
When we ordered all the pieces and parts for the new compy, we selected an AMD Phenom II six-core processor and an MSI motherboard. We also picked up 4 gig of ram, several fans, and a new case. Everything else we already had and could easily transfer over.
Wednesday night, before I'd even finished taking all of the dinner dishes off of the table, Sammy was pulling out his card table and starting to open boxes up. It had the general feeling of Christmas morning--lots of oooooh shiny moments.
It took about three hours, but soon enough we had everything put together, and it was time to turn it on for the first time. With great joy and trepidation, Sam reached out and pushed the power button.
The box lit up, the drives all indicated that they were happy and ready to go, the motherboard has all of its little lights come on... and no video signal.
This was frustrating, as it was problems with video that caused Frank to go buh-bye.
So we proceeded to do a couple of hours of troubleshooting, and eventually determined that even though everything has power, the hard drives were never being accessed. Did a little more digging and determined that the bios wasn't even pulling up.
We then commence on a bit of research. After delving through the manufacturer's websites for our new components, we soon figured out that even though the motherboard said it was compatible with Phenom II processors, it wasn't compatible with this particular Phenom II processor.
So what this means is that we've shipped the motherboard back and we're waiting for a compatible motherboard to arrive.
Oi vey.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Out for Delivery
On Monday I mentioned that we ordered our new computer parts over the weekend. Like any true addict, I've been checking the tracking number every thirty minutes or so.
Which, coincidentally, is about how often I've been checking Words with Friends.
(Tangent: I don't remember ever actually playing Scrabble in real life. I have vague memories of playing Up-Words as a child, but that's as close as I ever came.)
I bring this up because, as of 6:19 this morning, our computer went out for delivery. If this is like when we had the TV shipped to us, it will probably show up close to five this evening. However, because I'm paranoid, and hopeful, I've had the front door open, listening for signs of arrival. Every time someone drives by, I go up on point, hoping it's the new computer.
Alas, it has failed to arrive as yet.
But soon! Soon my precious will be here...
Which, coincidentally, is about how often I've been checking Words with Friends.
(Tangent: I don't remember ever actually playing Scrabble in real life. I have vague memories of playing Up-Words as a child, but that's as close as I ever came.)
I bring this up because, as of 6:19 this morning, our computer went out for delivery. If this is like when we had the TV shipped to us, it will probably show up close to five this evening. However, because I'm paranoid, and hopeful, I've had the front door open, listening for signs of arrival. Every time someone drives by, I go up on point, hoping it's the new computer.
Alas, it has failed to arrive as yet.
But soon! Soon my precious will be here...
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The possibilities are endless
What with the death of Frank, coming across this story on Boing Boing was particularly poignant for me.
See, Frank? There are still possibilities for you...
See, Frank? There are still possibilities for you...
Monday, February 7, 2011
To all things there is a season
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Grey-green eyes met mine, a hint of panic in them.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
My hands clenched around the cup of coffee I held, mouth tightening into a thin line. This was not how I expected my Saturday morning to go.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
It's dead, Jim.
Okay, I didn't really say that, but those were the words that flashed through my brain as that awful sound continued.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Finally, Sam couldn't take it any more and turned Frank, his beloved computer built from scratch, off.
The silence was almost worse than the beeping.
"Let me go see what I can find out," Sam said, grim lines appearing at the corner of his eyes.
As he went into the other room to do some research, I closed my eyes, breathing in the soothing steam off my coffee.
It's going to be okay, I told myself. We've fixed Frank before, we can fix him again.
I don't know how long I sat that way before Sam finally returned.
"Well, from what I can tell, that particular sequence of beeps means the video is out. Whether that means the card or the motherboard...." Sam shrugged with one shoulder. "Let's hope it's the video card, because if the motherboard is out, well, if we have to replace the motherboard, we'll have to replace everything. Frank is too old..." Sam trailed off.
Taking a deep breath, he continued on, "...Frank's components are just old enough that they're incompatible with the newer motherboards."
Please, please let it be the video card.
* * * * *
"Just think, honey! You're going to have twice as much video memory. Photoshop'll work like a dream," Sam enthused as he set about switching out the video cards.
"That'll be nice," I agreed, not quite as enthusiastic. I had what felt like a band of Mexican jumping beans doing the Macarena in my stomach.
Sam chattered on as he switched out the cards, occasionally tapping out some upbeat rhythm on the table with his screwdriver.
I kept myself busy taking care of morning chores that'd been neglected in our mad dash to the city to fix Frank.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived.
Sam flipped the switch.
I held my breath.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
What followed was a string of colorful metaphors, the like of which I care not to repeat in this setting.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Sam quickly turned Frank back off.
With a sigh he plopped down on the couch, head in his hands. I walked over and began absentmindedly rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's okay, darling. We can rebuild him. Faster. Better. You'll see," I said.
It's going to be a long couple of months.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Grey-green eyes met mine, a hint of panic in them.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
My hands clenched around the cup of coffee I held, mouth tightening into a thin line. This was not how I expected my Saturday morning to go.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
It's dead, Jim.
Okay, I didn't really say that, but those were the words that flashed through my brain as that awful sound continued.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Finally, Sam couldn't take it any more and turned Frank, his beloved computer built from scratch, off.
The silence was almost worse than the beeping.
"Let me go see what I can find out," Sam said, grim lines appearing at the corner of his eyes.
As he went into the other room to do some research, I closed my eyes, breathing in the soothing steam off my coffee.
It's going to be okay, I told myself. We've fixed Frank before, we can fix him again.
I don't know how long I sat that way before Sam finally returned.
"Well, from what I can tell, that particular sequence of beeps means the video is out. Whether that means the card or the motherboard...." Sam shrugged with one shoulder. "Let's hope it's the video card, because if the motherboard is out, well, if we have to replace the motherboard, we'll have to replace everything. Frank is too old..." Sam trailed off.
Taking a deep breath, he continued on, "...Frank's components are just old enough that they're incompatible with the newer motherboards."
Please, please let it be the video card.
* * * * *
"Just think, honey! You're going to have twice as much video memory. Photoshop'll work like a dream," Sam enthused as he set about switching out the video cards.
"That'll be nice," I agreed, not quite as enthusiastic. I had what felt like a band of Mexican jumping beans doing the Macarena in my stomach.
Sam chattered on as he switched out the cards, occasionally tapping out some upbeat rhythm on the table with his screwdriver.
I kept myself busy taking care of morning chores that'd been neglected in our mad dash to the city to fix Frank.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived.
Sam flipped the switch.
I held my breath.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
What followed was a string of colorful metaphors, the like of which I care not to repeat in this setting.
Beeeeeeep. Be-beep.
Sam quickly turned Frank back off.
With a sigh he plopped down on the couch, head in his hands. I walked over and began absentmindedly rubbing the back of his neck.
"It's okay, darling. We can rebuild him. Faster. Better. You'll see," I said.
It's going to be a long couple of months.
Friday, February 4, 2011
This is for all you people who like FPS...
Everyone has something they're not good at. For some people it's writing, for others it's dancing, for a few it's social situations, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
For me, that something is First Person Shooters.
I grew up watching my Dad and brother play games like Castle Wolfenstein and Doom. Later I watched friends playing Halo and Quake. Eventually I married a man who also enjoys the occasional Half Life or Call of Duty.
I, however, am not built to play such games. I have accepted this.
And I do enjoy watching people play these games. But I always wonder, when watching them, just where in the blazes they store all of that equipment--multiple guns, ammo, rocket launchers, grenades, chain saws, crowbars...
And now, thanks to Reddit, I know:
For me, that something is First Person Shooters.
I grew up watching my Dad and brother play games like Castle Wolfenstein and Doom. Later I watched friends playing Halo and Quake. Eventually I married a man who also enjoys the occasional Half Life or Call of Duty.
I, however, am not built to play such games. I have accepted this.
And I do enjoy watching people play these games. But I always wonder, when watching them, just where in the blazes they store all of that equipment--multiple guns, ammo, rocket launchers, grenades, chain saws, crowbars...
And now, thanks to Reddit, I know:
Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Recovery
Sam and I are doing much better, and the rest of the day will be taken up with helping the house recover from 3 days of neglect. Then tomorrow will be all about baking and making stuff for the Christmas party on Monday.
As such, I'm going to be away the next day or two, so I thought I'd share this bit of wisdom I came across this morning. Why didn't he tell me this 20+ years ago?
If my father were to tell me one thing, and Sir Patrick Stewart was to tell me another, I don't know who I'd be more inclined to believe. That wonderful voice! O.O
As such, I'm going to be away the next day or two, so I thought I'd share this bit of wisdom I came across this morning. Why didn't he tell me this 20+ years ago?
If my father were to tell me one thing, and Sir Patrick Stewart was to tell me another, I don't know who I'd be more inclined to believe. That wonderful voice! O.O
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