Computer Woes!!!!

Computer Woes!!!!

Tuesday 12/15/09 was a **HORRENDOUS** computer day

First, we encountered problems with our internet connection. We use Hughes Net via satellite at both the house and in the bus. It is generally pretty reliable unless we get a ton of snow on the dish. While we now have DSL and Cable internet available at the house, we have chosen not to have double internet services. We use the satellite connection in the bus and simply move the modem into the house and connect it to a fixed dish when we are home. It turned out the Hughes had a problem on our satellite and we were without internet service for 24 hours. To some of you, that is not a big deal. But for us it a huge issue because of our business and personal needs.

Then, our personal network got all funky. I got that squared away without too much problem.

The devastating blow came when my HP laptop crapped out. I need to vent here a bit. My HP is a TX2000 series tablet notebook that is very convenient for traveling. We bought it in August of last year just before we left for Europe. My other laptop is a great Toshiba with a wide screen and lots of features. However, it is large and heavy and would have been a real pain to carry all over Europe.

It turns out that this series (along with the TX1000 and TX2500) have a major problem with the motherboard. They fail with regularity at about 2-4 months past the 12 month warranty period. The internet has some very active forums on the issue. If you are interested, do a Google search on “TX2000 boot problem”. There appears to be a significant movement towards a class action suit. I will quickly join in, as HP has tried to sweep the problem under the carpet.

The HP failure triggered a hectic couple of days to try to get my Toshiba synchronized with the HP. I had told myself to focus all of my work on one computer, but I had a huge number of files on each computer that were not synchronized with the other.

Based on my research, I found out that the HP motherboard failure did not damage the hard drive. Several folks had purchased USB hard drive adapters that allow you to remove the hard drive and install it in a housing that can then be used as an external hard drive. That allowed me to have access to my data. A business associate put me on to an excellent synchronization program (http://allwaysync.com/index.html). I spent several hours synchronizing my main directories.

The real challenge came when I tried to get my iTunes and Outlook Express files transferred. I have an extensive Outlook contact/calendar/notes database that I use daily. Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, places the data files in locations that are almost impossible to find. In addition, they block access to these files for “security” reasons. I finally got all of that done after about 4 hours of research on the internet and finding a way to search all of the hidden directories.

Changing subjects, I wanted to write a few words about what has become a family tradition: Cookie Day. Our three daughters and many of the grandkids come to the house a few weeks before Christmas and make cookies. Each girl (and Pat) furnish at least two recipes and all of the ingredients for those recipes. In total they made over 1000 cookies that was the basis for 65 plates that could be given to family and friends. Our daughter Judy writes an excellent blog and she talks about the cookie day festivities including pictures and a couple of the recipes (here).

Concerning the bus engine project, progress has been very slow. There have been all kinds of personal and business activities that have diverted my resources. I have been trying to take my time to make sure that all of the hardware/wires/hoses/etc. are properly mounted and secured. I have been spending quite a bit of time inspecting all of the fabricated parts from the initial installation to make sure there were no design/fabrication problems (none found so far). I am about a half day of work from being able to move the engine into the engine compartment. From there, I have about two days of work to hook everything up.

I am way behind schedule, but that seems to be the norm for this bus conversion project.

Continued Cold!!!

Continued Cold!!!

This morning (12/9/09) they were reporting 16 degrees *BELOW* zero at the airport (official site for Denver) with a wild chill of – 36 degrees. Our thermometer read -10 degrees. Looking at the weather map, lots of areas are having terrible area. However, you always tend to focus on your own situation.

As I mentioned in the last post, I don't have any permanent heat system in the shop. Indeed, it is not insulated. However, my natural gas torpedo heater has been able to take the edge off the cold in the shop. I went out and the shop was 13 degrees (the bus heat takes helps a little bit, but it uses quite a bit of diesel fuel to keep the bus water systems from freezing).

I just could not face the extreme cold today. I have a huge project involving getting my files and office area organized. I figure that this terrible project is probably bearable given this kind of weather.

Concerning the bus engine project: it continues to be a challenge. It turns out that almost every bolt-on part has several versions. I have had to get almost every bolt-on part from my old engine so that the replacement engine will be compatible with the bus. That includes wiring harness, front engine mount, alternator mount and drive system, etc. The latest is the exhaust manifold. The Series 60 has a three piece manifold and the center section on the replacement engine was significantly different from the original engine. I had to make a trip back to the Detroit dealer and get the parts from my engine. Getting the correct three parts assembled was a real challenge.

When it warms us to a reasonable level, I will get back to work on the project. I am becoming very concerned that we will not be able to leave Evergreen in time to get Pat to her convention in Phoenix. All in all, a very frustrating project.

We are approaching the holidays and that always increases family commitments. That is fun, but it sure conflicts with getting the bus running.

Folks talk about prolonged periods of wind adversely affecting one's mental attitude. I can assure you that this cold streak has had a huge impact on mine.

That is all for now.

Global Warming?

Global Warming?

OK folks, I don't mean this to be a political rant. However, I will make a couple of statements and then drop it. First, I REALLY don't like Al Gore and his approach to a lot of things including global warming. Secondly, I hope that everyone recognizes that there are two, very divided, schools of thought/research on the subject. When I suffer from the extreme cold, my frustration always gets out of hand.

So, why in the heck did I bring up the subject. Well, the temperatures dropped below zero here last night and we have a forecast of extended very cold weather including several days where the lows will be below zero. We live in Colorado, so I guess we should expect that.

However, I have to keep working on the bus to get the engine back in and get ready to get the heck out of this cold weather. I have a great shop, and even installed in-floor heating. Problem is, I have never been able to afford the solar panels for the system.

I have a natural gas “torpedo” type heater and that takes the edge off the cold in the shop. Our bus has an indoor/outdoor thermometer in it. When I went out to start working a bit after noon yesterday the interior of the bus was 50 degrees (I keep the thermostat set on 50 since it is virtually impossible to “winterize” all of the complicated water system). The outside thermometer was reading 27 degrees (shop temperature). After running the heater for several hours, the shop temperature got into the low 40s. I wear my Carhartts and it is not too bad. My feet get cold from the cold concrete, but I can work for 3-4 hours before I have to give up.

Enough of the complaining. I am making slow progress on the bus. I am taking my time switching components between the engines to make sure I have the best parts of the two. It will take a couple more days to finish getting everything installed and getting it ready to stuff back in the bus. I switched air compressors (large air compressor for the air brakes) and turbo on the engine since they were new from when I first installed the other Series 60 engine in the bus. They are heavy and cumbersome, but I just try to take my time.

Perhaps the worst job was getting the transmission installed. It weighs about 650 pounds and everything has to be perfectly aligned. The picture shows the engine and transmssion on the dolly I use to roll it into the bus. The combination weighs about 3500 pounds.

Once the engine/transmission is in place, it will take a few more days to get the rest of the components (plumbing/electrical/etc) in place.

I sure hope it warms up a bit

That is all for now.