682. Adress for your NetGear router changing randomly?

Netgear router resets to factory defaults randomly on its own always changing address between 10.0.0.1 and 192.168.1.1 plus all passwords and settings.  Sounds like a pure NetGrar router problem -- in this case a NetGear WNR2000v4 N-300. Well, after a lot of searching I finally came across a CONFLICT with the AT&T DSL modem and NetGear and other routers which cause this issue! Had me going crazy! I'd rund for days to weeks and then suddenly one morning the router address flipped to the other address AND reinitialized all factory settings! 

Solution: NOTE: Conflicts exist between DSL 4100 and Netgear WNR2000v4. Netgear does not like using an address for the router equal to 192.168.1.1 – it will eventually say it conflicts – and changes it to 10.0.0.1. The DSL 4100 honors both 192.168.1.1 and 10.0.0.1, however, if power goes out BOTH are likely to reset. If the DSL 4100 goes down it comes back up with 192.168.1.1 ONLY and expects the network to be already set to that address, NOT 10.0.0.1. Hence, it will not connect if it is currently defined as 10.0.0.1. If the router  powers off it might reset to default Netgear configuration which is NOT your SSIP. Instead it will default to NETGEARxx and default password. To resolve this issue the following must be done (Bridge Mode):

1.       If router down, i.e., cannot get to 192.168.1.1 nor 10.0.0.1, then connect laptop to DSL 4100 first (cable)

2.       Configure the DSL 4100 to BRIDGE MODE (Cable PC to DSL 4100)

a.       In a browser, enter 192.168.0.1

b.       Select Advanced, then PPP Location, then select the 3^rd (Bridge) option and let it restart the modem

c.        Now power off the DSL modem and back on

3.       At this point access to router should be available at 192.168.1.1 or 10.0.0.1. Enter one and start the router configurator. Cable the router to the DSL modem and PC to router. You will test WIRED connection first.

4.       Configure the router now:

a.       BASIC…Internet…set “Does your Internet Connection require login?” to YES and then enter your ISP login and the ISP's modem password

b.       APPLY

c.        APPLY a second time

d.       Now goto ADVANCED…SETUP…LAN Setup and make sure IP address is 192.168.1.1. Set if not and OK out

e.        Bring up CMD in Windows 7 and do IPCONFIG/release and IPCONFIG/renew

f.        If the configurator was not started using 192.168.1.1 it needs to be restarted with that address now.

g.       IMPORTANT: If you need a NEW backup of configuration, go to ADVANCED…Backup Settings…Save a copy (goes to Netgear_WNR200v4.cfg in Downloads folder). Always nice to be able to restore a destroyed configuration!

h.       If you need to RESTORE the router configuration (to ensure channne, address, name, etc correct, you can RESTORE the saved file Netgear_WNR2000v4_Bridged.cfg.

5.       Internet should now be working on WIRED connection.

6.       Disconnect from WIRED connection and test WIRELESS. All should be good

681. Great Buying Day on WallStreet

Down 291 (DJIA) and 90 (Nasdaq)! I love down-markets when I'm sitting on cash! Sorry if you missed a buying opportunity; even more sorry if you sold! Looks like the markets will remain volatile while the news-watchers panic or revel in ecstasy. We can expect large swings on ANY rumbling of bad news. Forget Apple's 38% increase in profits announced after hours, or Yahoo's spinoff of their investment in Alibaba raking in mucho $$. Focus on the news report that retailer will be hurt by "misdiagnosed" historical blizzard (see Frank Pallota's article here)! Aren't you getting a huge "tax" benefit from lower oil prices? Plus, the America is mostly an oil IMPORTER, so low prices are good for us and do NOT hurt the major companies a lot. I look forward to a lot of smaller oil companies and servicers to be snapped up by the larger competitors. Won't necessarily be bad for the investors AND consumers.

The copper prices still indicate the WORLD economy has not turned positive. All commodities are taking a hit while the Dollar continues its dominance. This won't last forever. Yet, other countries and EU are still initiating QE plans. I expect the Dollar to remain strong, world inflation rates to remain chaotic, Emerging Markets to remain weak. Meanwhile, America prospers despite more expensive exports. Imports will continue to decrease and help you and me (I'm a Walmart shopper) even more.

What we need is wage increases. This will come, but I'm afraid not before the Fed makes a move to higher interest rates. And that is being held back due to the World QE measures. As long as lower products are available, increased wages become a non-issue. Gotta be careful what you ask for.

I see the 2015 markets doing ok through maybe end of May. I think I'll become more defensive for the summer and fall. Have no clue yet what winter will bring, but, "Winter is coming."

Suggestions: Get some $$ working for you NOW.

680. Can You Expect to get Anything Done Right the FIRST Time?

Technology just isn't a replacement for human brains and common sense. Today I took my new Tacoma in for its first 6 mo. ToyotaCare "treatment." For free they change give you an oil change and then rotate your tires, fill them 8 lbs above the requirement and steal you more expensive valve stem caps from all 4 tires (shucks, I didn't yet see if they even gave me a spare tire when I bought it!). So you would think easy to fix. Well....

First they attempted to put on cheap plastic caps! WRONG! That was cut short and the search was on for the metal ones similar to the ones that came on it. Never did find the same ones even when he supposedly searched the pit area for mine!

Things wen't downhill from there when he couldn't explain why they filled my tires to 37 lbs when the requirement was 29 lbs! It was a "local" thing I was told, plus the tire and also "prevented" the tire pressure sensor (supposedly programmed at 31 lbs) to be set off. RIGHT! I checked my tires regularly the first 4 months before the cold set in and they remained 29 lbs as required and as bought. Wonder why the sensor light wasn't on. Hmmm. Guess it wasn't set to go off below 31 lbs! Then when I showed hi on the door that they were supposed to be 29, he said he LEARNS things every day. I then showed him the Toyota book that shows all available tire types, except Type E, were 30 lbs or 29 lbs. At least he was cooperative enough to check the pressure label on another Tacoma -- 30 lbs as stated in the book which quashed his theory that the dealership ALWAYS inflates them to 35 lbs before sold! Moron! I told him that all the idiot shops inflate them at 35 lbs because they are too lazy to look up the correct tire pressure requirement!

If it were only for today's incident I could "maybe" get over it. But two times I called, and later sent an email, about another issue and NEVER received a call back! Nice service Street Toyota!

Well, the $74 I got for free really cost me much aggravation and a trip back to get the caps! 3 more to go and I'll be looking elsewhere for service. Isn't this typical of ANY service these days?

679. "Crisco Moore" vs. Green Beret

Being a veteran and having to put up with Michael Moore's disrespect to the uniform and actions necessary to keep this country a free, safe country, I loved the letter to him here. Of course he'll never get it!

678. Books, Books, Books

Many books were read since last post (in Books). Nothing compared to what my better half read who exploited the free books available to her Kindle from Amazon and libraries  -- well over 325 to date.
Here are a few good ones I read:

James Clavell's Shogun, Tai-Pan, Gai-Jin,  and Noble House. Love the history and cutural information. However, the one I am reading now, King Rat, is starting out completely different than his style and quality in the others and has been torturous reading.

Some of the free one's that were good were: Wool by Hugh Howey. I'l be going the free library route for his next ones Shift and Dust. These are Sci Fi if you are interested.

Then Stephen King is always a good read, but compared to previous novels Doctor Sleep, Joyland, Mr. Mercedes, and Revival are far from old King novels.

I also liked Greg Iles' books: Naches Burning, Quiet Game, Devil's Punchbowl, and Turning Angel.

Other good ones: Adrenaline, Cut and Run,  and Last Minute by Jeff Abbott

Can't remember which P.J. Parrish books I have already posted, so here's a list of them I enjoyed:  A Killing rain, An Unquiet Grace, Claw Back, Dark of the Moon, Dead of Winter, Heart of Ice, Island of Bones, Killing Song, Little Death, Paint It Black, South of Hell, Thicker Than Water thousand Bones. These are all "Cozy Mysteries."

I know there must be more, but my memory is gone for now. I do know that there were NO good non-fiction books I appreciated. I might as well try comic books next!

677. Thanks Joe Paterno

As said in previous posts, I still do not condone Joe's moral decision on not following up on Sandusky's issues. However, I am thankful that an individual as considerate and dedicated as Joe was has again regained is title as most winningest coach. Joe had done so much for Penn State and deserves this. I am also glad PSU was given an early chance at the bowls again, winning over Bostin College in a squeaker (Pinstripe Bowl). Go State,

676. 3 years away and NOTHING has changed!

Just reviewed my posts from years past and little has changed. Now that the 2016 elections are upon us (yes already the nonsense begins), I would suggest reviewing some of my old posts so you know where we were and where we STILL ARE! Now it's time for the Republican's to list for the pop (heads up arse) and DO SOMETHING LOGICAL instead of just barking at the enemy. Don't know if Boehner's invite to Netanyahu will win any votes, certainly not mine and I am not leaning Left. You can be assured that I will bash a useless Congress whichever way it leans if it remains uncooperative, meaning passing laws for the wrong reasons and text that is not debated of negotiated. Once in a while I need to vent and it looks like the cap has been released (Sam gnawed it off). Welcome again readers.

Oh, and do ALWAYS listen to the media!!! Yeah, right! I was always disgusted with the main media and liberal media shows, Now I'm even disgusted with the O'Reily, Hannity, and crew. Can any of them stop whining day after day? Even worse lately are all the FALSE reporting and lies. Just take the Media for its worth -- nothing these days. Learn quickly to read AROUND the multitude of clueless reports.

675. Adobe Critical Update Malware Popup

Happy New Year...I have returned.

I have seen so many posts re an Adobe Critical Update Popup (NOT by real Adobe) and there solutions, but haven't seen any solutions easier than the one I employed. I did the router firmware upgrade and it worked to remove the malware popup TEMPORARILY. Maybe the router isn't the cause DIRECTLY! What started my popups happened a while back when my DNS's were having problems rendering magazine images for RBDigital (and Zinio). So, I switched to GOOGLE DNS's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. That's when the Adobe-thing started (shortly after). Of course the firmware upgrade put my DNS's back to the AT&T ones, but I again switched to GOOGLE's for no reason at all other than it resolved my magazine image before. Well, when the Adobe popup reared up again, I changed just my DNS's back to AT&T away entirely from GOOGLE's and the Adobe malware popup ceased (Permanently it appears after no incidents in at least 6 months).

So, if you are using having the malware Adobe Critical Update popup problem, try changing your DNS's! Especially if you are using 8.8.8.8 and/or 8.8.4.4!