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.