Friday, March 23, 2018
797. All tabs in Chrome get hung Downloading Proxy
I simply can't tell you whether a Proxy is even needed for Chrome! But, in the last month I must have at least 10-15 occurrences of pages not loading and Chrome hung trying to Download Proxy. Din't find a clue searching for fix, but I decided to turn off Proxy requirement in Chrome via Settings/Advanced/System/Open Proxy Settings/Lan Settings. When you get there, UNCHECK Automatically Detect Settings and OK out. Thing seem to work fine this way so far. I suppose if they fail again this way or some other way I'll have to CHECK it back on and find a different bypass/solution.
796. MyYahoo RSS Feeds won't load/display
About 50% of the time or more lately I go to my MyYahoo page and find that the RSS Feeds (All or occasionally most) won't load/display. A bypass to get them loaded and displayed I read is to disable any Ad Blocker extension. I use Fair Adblocker extension with the Chrome Browser. To get the feeds loaded and displayed when on MyYahoo page simply open the Fir Adblocker extension and hit the Whitelist Icon.. Unfortunately, this will allow all other blocked elements to reappear too. So I hit the Whitelist ICON again to Resume Blocking. The RSS Feeds continue to be loaded and displayed (or the cache image is simply being used) at least while it stays in cache). The permanent solution may be to keep MyYahoo Whitelisted. However, at least I know how to get them loaded and displayed again by doing the Whitelist Icon. Today I submitted a report to Fair Adblocked reporting the issue and asking if this is normal behavior and whether it could be fixed permanently.
Update 3/23/18: OUCH, not the solution or even a constant bypass. What did work this time was clearing Chrome Browser History and Cache.But I still wonder what creates the condition and stores the bad, not load RSS Feeds page in cache. So, now I am running with Whitelist AFTER clearing Browsing history and Cache. Stay tuned and I'll update if problem reoccurs. If so, addition debugging of CHROME will be next.
Update 3/23/18: Nope. NOT a Chrome problem specifically. Other browsers have same issue. Seems the sporadic hit or miss will continue. I have been successful clearing cache though to get them back. For Chrome do Ctrl-Shift-Del to get to the screen to clear things. Select only Cache and Browsing History and let her rip. Terrible we have to do this!
Update 3/25/18: Even clearing cache and Browser History doesn't work all the time! I think we are back to it being a Yahoo problem or an RSS Feed problem originating at the RSS Feed sites. I already tried deleting content (the RSS Feed) and adding it back. It also doesn't work. Sometimes I get the error adding it back. So, it's a hit and miss thing one or the other fesses up and fixes it. And yes, for those with the conspiracy theory that just conservative feeds are being blocked, I would not consider Reuters news conservative. Yes, Fox news and Business could be considered as such. But, isn't it funny that Yahoo's feeds work?
Update 3/23/18: OUCH, not the solution or even a constant bypass. What did work this time was clearing Chrome Browser History and Cache.But I still wonder what creates the condition and stores the bad, not load RSS Feeds page in cache. So, now I am running with Whitelist AFTER clearing Browsing history and Cache. Stay tuned and I'll update if problem reoccurs. If so, addition debugging of CHROME will be next.
Update 3/23/18: Nope. NOT a Chrome problem specifically. Other browsers have same issue. Seems the sporadic hit or miss will continue. I have been successful clearing cache though to get them back. For Chrome do Ctrl-Shift-Del to get to the screen to clear things. Select only Cache and Browsing History and let her rip. Terrible we have to do this!
Update 3/25/18: Even clearing cache and Browser History doesn't work all the time! I think we are back to it being a Yahoo problem or an RSS Feed problem originating at the RSS Feed sites. I already tried deleting content (the RSS Feed) and adding it back. It also doesn't work. Sometimes I get the error adding it back. So, it's a hit and miss thing one or the other fesses up and fixes it. And yes, for those with the conspiracy theory that just conservative feeds are being blocked, I would not consider Reuters news conservative. Yes, Fox news and Business could be considered as such. But, isn't it funny that Yahoo's feeds work?
Monday, March 19, 2018
795. Windows XP Revived
Okay. So I looked at my old Dell Dimension with 750 MB Memory and 2,1 MHz speed running Windows XP and asked "Why is this thing so-o-o-o slow? I already knew most of it was because processes like Windows Update and Avast when updating (included downloading) monopolize the system. But, even after that the enhancements I made, like FireFox instead of Chrome, removing a lot of programs, examining Memory usage and cutting back,etc. it still walked like a limp dog. My friend Sam knew some tricks to get it up and running like a puppy again.
One idea was to scrap XP and go with Linux. After some research I located what I believe the smallest and fastest performers would be for this "small" system. XUBUNTU was the choice. So, I said goodbye to my XP and everything else I built on this system rather quickly by reformatting. XUBUNTU was a slick install: Download the LTS ISO version, download UCS Installer and run it to install the ISO. Up it came including its FireFox and Thunderbird software with it. Rather nice it was. BUT, if I tried to use both applications, i.e., loading them into memory at the same time, the limping dog became a a crawling dog! It was SLOW! So, yes they acurately described their memory requirements by stating 512 MB is minimum. However, they forgot to tell you that they meant the operating system could load and everything else would be unusable until you get to 1GB! Don't be fooled. I even question 1GB for a workable, lively dog system.
Well, it only took about 2-3 hours of playing with XUBUNTU to discover that it doesn't come close to performance expectations, PLUS, dream on if you think you cold get around the nerdy coding and usage in months! If you are a PC tinkerer, then go after it. Otherwise, stay clear and rely on Microsoft despite its downsides.
With that said, I next needed to figure out how to get my Windows XP system back on doing a very clean install. I had only the XP SP2 disk to start with. It went on like a champ. Next I needed to get to SP3 and get all the latest, or should I say, last maintenance updates. That's when I went to connect to the Internet. well, that didn't work! Seems that the Dell (preinstalled system with discs provided) forgot to put the network adapter drivers on any of the disks. Now what? Fortunately I had my laptop and signed in to my Dell account and brought up support at Dell site. They had my configuration and noted the driver necessary. BUT it was no longer available. I had to go get the Intel Pro100+ Ethernet from Intel. Slapped it on and I thought my next stop would be Heaven. Well, it was still Hell. The very old Internet Explorer 4 that got installed would NOT connect. The network was fine, just Internet connectivity failed. Now what?
Now we search for the smallest and fasted browser to try. SlimJet came to the rescue and I am amazed by it! Installed SlimJet after downloading on laptop and carrying it over the the XP system and it I believe I heard trumpets in thee background when it came up like a charm.
Next stop SP3 from Microsoft. It took awhile, but it went on without a blip, as did some recent Security updates that Microsoft ws so kind to migrate down to XP users (randsomware protection). Following that, over another 130 updates to Sp3 and other installed products and drivers went on without a flaw.
O/S up and screaming. Browser and now Thunderbird installed along with CCleaner to keep things manageable. A few teaks here, a few there, and the browser and Thunderbird were customized, the desktop, start menu and taskbar were ready, and we're in production. The XP system on the old Dimension 3000 is wonderful! Memory usage is below 550 MB with both Thunderbird and SlimJet with 2-3 tabs opened -- memory to spare!
Wouldn't want, nor will, do it again, but the adventure was tolerable and the results exceeding expectations. Now my wife has her own PC to play with. Both SlimJet and Thunderbird continue to support XP versions, and AVAST and PrivateFirewall products give me the Anti-virus and firewall solutions and comfort for XP.
If your were reading some previous posts, this PC was going to be replaced by a 8gen Dell 5700 that, like others, had to use past generation fans (nothing new and ready for 8th generation machines) to cool the high heat of the 1T had disk and 4 processors. I've ready hundreds of complaint about noisy fans, noisy to the point of conciously not being able to ignore them, Mine was exacerbated by the constant Microsoft 10 Windows Update (see posts for that mess) processes that seemed to run constantly. The old Dimension is as quiet compared to the new machine that found its way back to Dell along with its 3 broken hard drives or attachment component.
Bottom line: If you want to extend use of an old machine, mine was from around 2005), DON'T go the Linux router. The headaches alone with learning a very unfriendly interface and operation is enough to stay away from it. But, like me, you might think it is a solution for small memory machines. It isn't! Try XP and continue to enjoy everything you learned in the Microsoft world. If Sam would have been a male, she would have lifted her leg and urinated on the Linux XUBUNTU installation! Now she rests in peace again, always with us.
Update 3/21/18: Now the downside:
Don't ever expect to use Internet Explorer as your browser on an XP system, even with last updates to SP3. You CAN use Internet Explorer, and required to, to get any updates, of which there aren't any except maybe for old drivers. But you can continue to use Windows Update to view your updates history. Now the bad news. Because of all the security breaches, security certificates along with encryption hashes have been modified appreciably. So much that the hashes and certificate authorization within IE 8 (the last workable IE for XP) do no longer support the newest hashes and certificates being used by websites and the providers such as Verisign (and about 4 others). Thus, if you try to go to a secure site (HTTPS:\\) you won't get there. Back in 2016 only about 25% of the websites moved on to newer technology. However, now I can't get to any of the sites. Also, the speed has increased so much for HTTPS that even those sites that provided a nonsecure site have gone to HTTPS! Even if you type in the full name beginning with HTTP:\\ it will be changed to HTTPS:\\ and you will not get there.
In short, I would expect NOTHING to be accessible with IE8 (or older IEs)! That will really be the death of XP and all those old processors that can't be upgraded to run a newer operating system. You might be able to get to the memory requirement, but those old systems have ancient components as well. For Example, I was unable to get the Intel Pro 100+ driver from my Dell manufacturer any more and had to hunt for one. Good thing I like to be challenged to find solutions to computer issues or I'd simply get a new one. And then, after the noisy fan problems (see older posts), I'll be waiting until a new technology cooling system becomes available, IF I can wait that long. PCs are still mimicking the IBM large system evolution, except they are not following IBM's focus that when you make a Faster Processor you have to have Faster Memory, ample cooling improvements, and support for all the new improved technological components to provide the best machine. The PC manufactures have so overlooked the cooling aspect requirements. On most machines by Dell today they also overlooked the number and speed of USB adapters. I am just not impressed with the configurations today. Here's another: Whay force 1T hard disks on people how will NEVER fill it? I could still tun on a 400MB one! Why? $$$$. 1T hard disks are cheap. However, cooling them is NOT. SO comes the high-speed cache drives which require even more cooling and quite a bit more issues to consider, like how long do they last, how to back them up, etc. Give me my Kindle that I only need to understand my APPs! Will Amazon push to replace the incompetent PC manufacturers? Remember when IBM had all propriety stuff and had to unbundle because the competitors couldn't compete! Well, that time might raise its head again for Amazon with its propriety configurations. But then, you have another competitor APPLE already doing this with being hassled. Enough of the soapbox. You get the point.
One idea was to scrap XP and go with Linux. After some research I located what I believe the smallest and fastest performers would be for this "small" system. XUBUNTU was the choice. So, I said goodbye to my XP and everything else I built on this system rather quickly by reformatting. XUBUNTU was a slick install: Download the LTS ISO version, download UCS Installer and run it to install the ISO. Up it came including its FireFox and Thunderbird software with it. Rather nice it was. BUT, if I tried to use both applications, i.e., loading them into memory at the same time, the limping dog became a a crawling dog! It was SLOW! So, yes they acurately described their memory requirements by stating 512 MB is minimum. However, they forgot to tell you that they meant the operating system could load and everything else would be unusable until you get to 1GB! Don't be fooled. I even question 1GB for a workable, lively dog system.
Well, it only took about 2-3 hours of playing with XUBUNTU to discover that it doesn't come close to performance expectations, PLUS, dream on if you think you cold get around the nerdy coding and usage in months! If you are a PC tinkerer, then go after it. Otherwise, stay clear and rely on Microsoft despite its downsides.
With that said, I next needed to figure out how to get my Windows XP system back on doing a very clean install. I had only the XP SP2 disk to start with. It went on like a champ. Next I needed to get to SP3 and get all the latest, or should I say, last maintenance updates. That's when I went to connect to the Internet. well, that didn't work! Seems that the Dell (preinstalled system with discs provided) forgot to put the network adapter drivers on any of the disks. Now what? Fortunately I had my laptop and signed in to my Dell account and brought up support at Dell site. They had my configuration and noted the driver necessary. BUT it was no longer available. I had to go get the Intel Pro100+ Ethernet from Intel. Slapped it on and I thought my next stop would be Heaven. Well, it was still Hell. The very old Internet Explorer 4 that got installed would NOT connect. The network was fine, just Internet connectivity failed. Now what?
Now we search for the smallest and fasted browser to try. SlimJet came to the rescue and I am amazed by it! Installed SlimJet after downloading on laptop and carrying it over the the XP system and it I believe I heard trumpets in thee background when it came up like a charm.
Next stop SP3 from Microsoft. It took awhile, but it went on without a blip, as did some recent Security updates that Microsoft ws so kind to migrate down to XP users (randsomware protection). Following that, over another 130 updates to Sp3 and other installed products and drivers went on without a flaw.
O/S up and screaming. Browser and now Thunderbird installed along with CCleaner to keep things manageable. A few teaks here, a few there, and the browser and Thunderbird were customized, the desktop, start menu and taskbar were ready, and we're in production. The XP system on the old Dimension 3000 is wonderful! Memory usage is below 550 MB with both Thunderbird and SlimJet with 2-3 tabs opened -- memory to spare!
Wouldn't want, nor will, do it again, but the adventure was tolerable and the results exceeding expectations. Now my wife has her own PC to play with. Both SlimJet and Thunderbird continue to support XP versions, and AVAST and PrivateFirewall products give me the Anti-virus and firewall solutions and comfort for XP.
If your were reading some previous posts, this PC was going to be replaced by a 8gen Dell 5700 that, like others, had to use past generation fans (nothing new and ready for 8th generation machines) to cool the high heat of the 1T had disk and 4 processors. I've ready hundreds of complaint about noisy fans, noisy to the point of conciously not being able to ignore them, Mine was exacerbated by the constant Microsoft 10 Windows Update (see posts for that mess) processes that seemed to run constantly. The old Dimension is as quiet compared to the new machine that found its way back to Dell along with its 3 broken hard drives or attachment component.
Bottom line: If you want to extend use of an old machine, mine was from around 2005), DON'T go the Linux router. The headaches alone with learning a very unfriendly interface and operation is enough to stay away from it. But, like me, you might think it is a solution for small memory machines. It isn't! Try XP and continue to enjoy everything you learned in the Microsoft world. If Sam would have been a male, she would have lifted her leg and urinated on the Linux XUBUNTU installation! Now she rests in peace again, always with us.
Update 3/21/18: Now the downside:
Don't ever expect to use Internet Explorer as your browser on an XP system, even with last updates to SP3. You CAN use Internet Explorer, and required to, to get any updates, of which there aren't any except maybe for old drivers. But you can continue to use Windows Update to view your updates history. Now the bad news. Because of all the security breaches, security certificates along with encryption hashes have been modified appreciably. So much that the hashes and certificate authorization within IE 8 (the last workable IE for XP) do no longer support the newest hashes and certificates being used by websites and the providers such as Verisign (and about 4 others). Thus, if you try to go to a secure site (HTTPS:\\) you won't get there. Back in 2016 only about 25% of the websites moved on to newer technology. However, now I can't get to any of the sites. Also, the speed has increased so much for HTTPS that even those sites that provided a nonsecure site have gone to HTTPS! Even if you type in the full name beginning with HTTP:\\ it will be changed to HTTPS:\\ and you will not get there.
In short, I would expect NOTHING to be accessible with IE8 (or older IEs)! That will really be the death of XP and all those old processors that can't be upgraded to run a newer operating system. You might be able to get to the memory requirement, but those old systems have ancient components as well. For Example, I was unable to get the Intel Pro 100+ driver from my Dell manufacturer any more and had to hunt for one. Good thing I like to be challenged to find solutions to computer issues or I'd simply get a new one. And then, after the noisy fan problems (see older posts), I'll be waiting until a new technology cooling system becomes available, IF I can wait that long. PCs are still mimicking the IBM large system evolution, except they are not following IBM's focus that when you make a Faster Processor you have to have Faster Memory, ample cooling improvements, and support for all the new improved technological components to provide the best machine. The PC manufactures have so overlooked the cooling aspect requirements. On most machines by Dell today they also overlooked the number and speed of USB adapters. I am just not impressed with the configurations today. Here's another: Whay force 1T hard disks on people how will NEVER fill it? I could still tun on a 400MB one! Why? $$$$. 1T hard disks are cheap. However, cooling them is NOT. SO comes the high-speed cache drives which require even more cooling and quite a bit more issues to consider, like how long do they last, how to back them up, etc. Give me my Kindle that I only need to understand my APPs! Will Amazon push to replace the incompetent PC manufacturers? Remember when IBM had all propriety stuff and had to unbundle because the competitors couldn't compete! Well, that time might raise its head again for Amazon with its propriety configurations. But then, you have another competitor APPLE already doing this with being hassled. Enough of the soapbox. You get the point.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
794. What about gun controls? Update.
Do we need gun controls? Do we need better protection from lunatics? How can anyone answer "No" after the Las Vegas and Florida shootings on top of the ones from the later past? But, remember, there are scores of others not considered mass shootings that result in death, and they shouldn't be neglected any more than the the ones the mass media swarm on.
I've been hearing about the following suggested controls so far: (1) Arming teachers, (2) Banning Bump Stocks, (3) Banning Assault Weapons, (4) Limiting high capacity magazines, (5) Raising age to buy a gun, (6) Cutting ties with NRA. Will these get the guns out of the hands of those who are lunatics and are totally obsessed with killing masses or even one person?
In my opinion, the lunatics who want to kill are so obsessed and angry that they will find a way. If not by gun, maybe by knife as we have seen elsewhere in the world, or explosives. They will continue to purchase or steal the supplies and equipment they need to do their deed, regardless of the obstacles and restrictions. We are as likely to stop these people as we are drugs. I think we can agree that we have failed there. Here's a suggestion that law enforcement can try, but even it will require sophisticated management and clever integration of data. No easy task: Create one huge database cross referencing all sales and/or sources of gun, weapons, materials and purchaser (legal) or acquirer (illegal).
One would think ATF already has this start for illegally acquired guns, manufacturers of materials, suppliers, criminals. I would hope they have this information at the minimum. However, the design of the all encompassing "Lunatics Will Kill " database (LWKD)needs far more.
For example, an objective might be to catalog all citizens who have obtained more 1 or more assault weapons (need to describe them all) and/or bump style stocks or other mechanisms that convert a gun to an automatic. Registration of these is mandatory and law enforcement will be instructed to eliminate any quantities of the existing population of destructive weapons in the database deemed excessive. There is absolutely no reason for a normal citizen in America to own automatic weapons. Certainly hunting is NOT a reason. Hunting is a sport, not a slaughter. I enjoyed grouse hunting despite missing many, many birds. They won. So what. However, shooting Bambi who laid down behind the shrubs to hide was my last straw!
If we want to ban automatic weapons of all type, assault or equipment to convert them, then we need to locate them all. It should be mandatory that all suppliers of these, dealers or all individuals including those selling at gun shows or personally, check before sale and then register the sale in the LWKD. Say our limit is 1 of these. Then a second sale should not be made to any person already in the database or anyone affiliated in any way to the an individual already owning one. Tough task. This would require cross connections be defined by sophisticated algorithms to create the connections. For example, the simplest case is within the same family. Or could it be same address? Or could it be same business? Or same gang? The task is monumental. How can we tie together connections when fake IDs could always be the workaround to let the lunatics continue their deeds? Makes this approach seem impossible too! Well, first we use fingerprints instead of names. That would help some until the really corrupt ones find a way around that.
The first objective of a LWKD can only be to provide a deterrent for the lunatics buying or supplying. All violating the registration and supply of weapons or materials need to be arrested and given very stiff penalties. I would imagine a project to create such a database and process, including the enforcement would take 3-5 years to complete. Sorry if there isn't an instant solution, but this is a permanent long-term solution to protect those beyond its effective management completion data. But, we can't kick the can down the road and NOT begin something now that can stop the can from moving forward at some time!
All proposals I have heard so far are short-term that, I am sorry to say, will not curtail the violence we are seeing. There are too many corrupt elements and people, sane or mentally disturbed. What is the comprehensive solution that will help us get the corruptness off the streets or at least quickly identify potential nightmares before they happen?
For example, Arming Teachers. Does putting a sign in front of you house declaring a security system deter criminals even though you have no system? Probably most of them. Would putting a sign at school entrances declaring that personnel within a school are armed and trained deter lunatics? Only if the lunatic plans to live. How many of these have we seen? Florida was an exception, and even then I question whether he cared about his life when he entered the school. So those arguing that alerting lunatics that they could be killed is crazy in itself. However, does this mean that more guns and trained people to use them should be in schools? Yes. However, how fast could they react even if armed? Would they carry them around where they could be hit over the head and gun taken from them to use in killings? Would the guns be locked up requiring the trained personnel to spend minutes to get to them only after the carnage is already done? How many school personnel would really commit to putting their life in danger to combat a lunatic with an automatic weapon when they have a pea shooter? Think about it.
I'll address some other short term solutions and knock-offs in later posts. I may still not be finished with the teacher one either. This post is simply an introduction to short-term vs. comprehensive long-term solution.
Update 3/21/18:
Today they nabbed and killed the serial Austin bomber. Kudos to the agencies in Austin for getting this nut off the planet! So, why are guns such an issue when someone can kill others with common household ingredients and a little knowledge that is provided in detail on the Internet? Should we be concerned with all this bomb-building knowledge on the Internet? I would venture that we need to get control of this even before guns! Accompanying this type of knowledge (and blueprint for killers) is of course the sale of guns legally AND glowingly illegally via the Internet. Why do we even have a Black Web! Don't we need some OFF to spray the spiders out there and a match to burn that web? What is the purpose of it other than mischief! I'll be long in my grave before the Millennials wake up to the menaces on the Internet and how they must be controlled instead of embracing them as neat , different, rad, etc. Wake up call!!!
Now, back to teachers. Instead of rereading my notes, I'll state here and now -- BAD idea! I'd much rather have a human like the one in Maryland High School yesterday (I believe) who reacted in a minute to get a shot at that nut and take him out! Heck, a teacher would still be trying to get his/her weapon from wherever it was stored SAFELY. That, plus the 3 incidents already with teachers shooting off guns in a classroom put this on my not-to-do list. I'll still go with the database to manage the whole gun, bomb, bomb-making ingredients, etc. system needed for the future. WHEN are we going to start! Again, I don't expect to see even a start of anything comprehensible like this in my life time. I do believe I have concluded on my long-term solution.
So, how about short-term, like NOW:
1. Background checks - only going to annoy the honest non-killers. Internet sales, gun shows, individuals, Black web, etc. will always be there to supply guns, ammo, and modifications to auto-weapons. Someone needs to gain access to distributions initiated by Internet actions. You know how some stores ask for ID and age before selling some products (Walmart, etc.). Well, why not REQUIRE all Internet distributors to comply with a list of possibly dangerous products too? Just asking for ID won't do it! We need identifying equipment, such as fingerprint, eye, camera access, etc. to order these products AND we need them to automatically update a government database. This isn't the comprehensible one I talked about, but simply a LOG until we get that database. All background checks should also be collected and standardized (government) so we have a log and include the biological identification elements.
2. Schools? How about churches too? How about movie theaters? How about Las Vegas open areas? Come on folks, let's not get sentimental and focus on just the kids at school.The same numbers of incidents can happen ANYWHERE. The is NO way to prevent nuts from hitting soft-targets. We can continue to protect as much as we can high-exposure venues and areas, such as a Super Bowl, large concert, etc. But, the only workable solution is to get the weapons out to people's hands. Make it more than tough for products like auto-weapons and bomb-making materials. I feel real bad that I can't come up with something that will work and reduce these incidents. Armed teachers will not prevent anything. Notice that shooters are usually PAST students. They would already know the details of who and where the additional "guards" are. I would then expect they, like ISIS for example, to still do there mischief but avoid what they have already discovered. SO, what am I saying? Stop throwing lots of money at solutions that won't work! Spend a little to randomly have armed guards show their presence. The key work, is random patrols and activities. Never the same routine, never the same number of people, never the same days and hours, etc. So, forget the full-time guards escalation that someone can learn and avoid. Use a minimal number more. Maybe increase the number for an entire area, not a school and rotate the guards randomly across the schools, events, etc. to a degree that anyone seeking harm cannot know if its safe or not to show up at any time! How about something like this for short-term?
3. BAN auto weapons: I could go for that. WHY does anybody need a weapon like that? I much rather have every neighbor with a rife/gun and a neighbor watch network than just me and an auto-weapon. I'm just going to have to depend on the government agencies and military units to protect me from foreign attacks. I, myself, can NOT expect to survive any other way! Ban also any modifications to make a gun automatic. Ban? STOP the manufacturers from making them! We need Crack-Down! Certainly we should know WHO the manufacturers are already. CLOSE them down! Don't have to ban and control them if they are not made and/or distributed. Let's put some hurt to them before they become a drug-dealer size operation!
4. Do you think even age 21 is high enough for the nuts? Why annoy the honest hunters? Hunting equipment needs to be available to all ages. Yes, maybe guns need to be supplied by the parents though. But, now we have the situation like we've seen where teen-killer used daddy's gun! And we have incidents where small kiddos got hold of daddy's gun and shot someone. Can't stop everything. How do we make parents more responsible? Limit them? Make them lock up guns? Must-have gun lockable gun-cabinets? Trigger locks? I vote to low-cost solution of trigger locks for ALL guns. Never sold without a trigger lock! But, once again, every player selling MUST comply with restriction and sale! So, part of log and control in #1 above is the requirement to have a trigger lock accompany it. Also, all owners of existing guns must purchase a lock and log to gun and lock serial numbers (1 lock serial number per assigned gun). I would think ANY parent with children would want this. Why risk not having a lock? Reminds me of a Dr. Phil episode yesterday where a parent has a destructive and respectfulness teen but still decides to leave on a vacation twice a year without the child INSTRUCTING him to not have a party. Right! You can almost not expect to have a trustful child go without a party. Only difference will be that of chaos. So, lock up those guns.
5. Cutting ties with NRA? Surely not. However, the NRA needs to step up and provide some solutions! How about those in this post? Stop lobbying and put some money into solutions that you are capable of performing and distributing. The money you save, plus government money to implement solutions, plus benefit to everyone is a reward NRA should seek hotly! SO, go to it NRA. Stop fighting the Dems over amendment rights and show to world some solutions that would boost your importance and membership!
Once again, I need a break. Go ahead and comment about what has been written so far. This is important to each one of us. Think and respond please.
I've been hearing about the following suggested controls so far: (1) Arming teachers, (2) Banning Bump Stocks, (3) Banning Assault Weapons, (4) Limiting high capacity magazines, (5) Raising age to buy a gun, (6) Cutting ties with NRA. Will these get the guns out of the hands of those who are lunatics and are totally obsessed with killing masses or even one person?
In my opinion, the lunatics who want to kill are so obsessed and angry that they will find a way. If not by gun, maybe by knife as we have seen elsewhere in the world, or explosives. They will continue to purchase or steal the supplies and equipment they need to do their deed, regardless of the obstacles and restrictions. We are as likely to stop these people as we are drugs. I think we can agree that we have failed there. Here's a suggestion that law enforcement can try, but even it will require sophisticated management and clever integration of data. No easy task: Create one huge database cross referencing all sales and/or sources of gun, weapons, materials and purchaser (legal) or acquirer (illegal).
One would think ATF already has this start for illegally acquired guns, manufacturers of materials, suppliers, criminals. I would hope they have this information at the minimum. However, the design of the all encompassing "Lunatics Will Kill " database (LWKD)needs far more.
For example, an objective might be to catalog all citizens who have obtained more 1 or more assault weapons (need to describe them all) and/or bump style stocks or other mechanisms that convert a gun to an automatic. Registration of these is mandatory and law enforcement will be instructed to eliminate any quantities of the existing population of destructive weapons in the database deemed excessive. There is absolutely no reason for a normal citizen in America to own automatic weapons. Certainly hunting is NOT a reason. Hunting is a sport, not a slaughter. I enjoyed grouse hunting despite missing many, many birds. They won. So what. However, shooting Bambi who laid down behind the shrubs to hide was my last straw!
If we want to ban automatic weapons of all type, assault or equipment to convert them, then we need to locate them all. It should be mandatory that all suppliers of these, dealers or all individuals including those selling at gun shows or personally, check before sale and then register the sale in the LWKD. Say our limit is 1 of these. Then a second sale should not be made to any person already in the database or anyone affiliated in any way to the an individual already owning one. Tough task. This would require cross connections be defined by sophisticated algorithms to create the connections. For example, the simplest case is within the same family. Or could it be same address? Or could it be same business? Or same gang? The task is monumental. How can we tie together connections when fake IDs could always be the workaround to let the lunatics continue their deeds? Makes this approach seem impossible too! Well, first we use fingerprints instead of names. That would help some until the really corrupt ones find a way around that.
The first objective of a LWKD can only be to provide a deterrent for the lunatics buying or supplying. All violating the registration and supply of weapons or materials need to be arrested and given very stiff penalties. I would imagine a project to create such a database and process, including the enforcement would take 3-5 years to complete. Sorry if there isn't an instant solution, but this is a permanent long-term solution to protect those beyond its effective management completion data. But, we can't kick the can down the road and NOT begin something now that can stop the can from moving forward at some time!
All proposals I have heard so far are short-term that, I am sorry to say, will not curtail the violence we are seeing. There are too many corrupt elements and people, sane or mentally disturbed. What is the comprehensive solution that will help us get the corruptness off the streets or at least quickly identify potential nightmares before they happen?
For example, Arming Teachers. Does putting a sign in front of you house declaring a security system deter criminals even though you have no system? Probably most of them. Would putting a sign at school entrances declaring that personnel within a school are armed and trained deter lunatics? Only if the lunatic plans to live. How many of these have we seen? Florida was an exception, and even then I question whether he cared about his life when he entered the school. So those arguing that alerting lunatics that they could be killed is crazy in itself. However, does this mean that more guns and trained people to use them should be in schools? Yes. However, how fast could they react even if armed? Would they carry them around where they could be hit over the head and gun taken from them to use in killings? Would the guns be locked up requiring the trained personnel to spend minutes to get to them only after the carnage is already done? How many school personnel would really commit to putting their life in danger to combat a lunatic with an automatic weapon when they have a pea shooter? Think about it.
I'll address some other short term solutions and knock-offs in later posts. I may still not be finished with the teacher one either. This post is simply an introduction to short-term vs. comprehensive long-term solution.
Update 3/21/18:
Today they nabbed and killed the serial Austin bomber. Kudos to the agencies in Austin for getting this nut off the planet! So, why are guns such an issue when someone can kill others with common household ingredients and a little knowledge that is provided in detail on the Internet? Should we be concerned with all this bomb-building knowledge on the Internet? I would venture that we need to get control of this even before guns! Accompanying this type of knowledge (and blueprint for killers) is of course the sale of guns legally AND glowingly illegally via the Internet. Why do we even have a Black Web! Don't we need some OFF to spray the spiders out there and a match to burn that web? What is the purpose of it other than mischief! I'll be long in my grave before the Millennials wake up to the menaces on the Internet and how they must be controlled instead of embracing them as neat , different, rad, etc. Wake up call!!!
Now, back to teachers. Instead of rereading my notes, I'll state here and now -- BAD idea! I'd much rather have a human like the one in Maryland High School yesterday (I believe) who reacted in a minute to get a shot at that nut and take him out! Heck, a teacher would still be trying to get his/her weapon from wherever it was stored SAFELY. That, plus the 3 incidents already with teachers shooting off guns in a classroom put this on my not-to-do list. I'll still go with the database to manage the whole gun, bomb, bomb-making ingredients, etc. system needed for the future. WHEN are we going to start! Again, I don't expect to see even a start of anything comprehensible like this in my life time. I do believe I have concluded on my long-term solution.
So, how about short-term, like NOW:
1. Background checks - only going to annoy the honest non-killers. Internet sales, gun shows, individuals, Black web, etc. will always be there to supply guns, ammo, and modifications to auto-weapons. Someone needs to gain access to distributions initiated by Internet actions. You know how some stores ask for ID and age before selling some products (Walmart, etc.). Well, why not REQUIRE all Internet distributors to comply with a list of possibly dangerous products too? Just asking for ID won't do it! We need identifying equipment, such as fingerprint, eye, camera access, etc. to order these products AND we need them to automatically update a government database. This isn't the comprehensible one I talked about, but simply a LOG until we get that database. All background checks should also be collected and standardized (government) so we have a log and include the biological identification elements.
2. Schools? How about churches too? How about movie theaters? How about Las Vegas open areas? Come on folks, let's not get sentimental and focus on just the kids at school.The same numbers of incidents can happen ANYWHERE. The is NO way to prevent nuts from hitting soft-targets. We can continue to protect as much as we can high-exposure venues and areas, such as a Super Bowl, large concert, etc. But, the only workable solution is to get the weapons out to people's hands. Make it more than tough for products like auto-weapons and bomb-making materials. I feel real bad that I can't come up with something that will work and reduce these incidents. Armed teachers will not prevent anything. Notice that shooters are usually PAST students. They would already know the details of who and where the additional "guards" are. I would then expect they, like ISIS for example, to still do there mischief but avoid what they have already discovered. SO, what am I saying? Stop throwing lots of money at solutions that won't work! Spend a little to randomly have armed guards show their presence. The key work, is random patrols and activities. Never the same routine, never the same number of people, never the same days and hours, etc. So, forget the full-time guards escalation that someone can learn and avoid. Use a minimal number more. Maybe increase the number for an entire area, not a school and rotate the guards randomly across the schools, events, etc. to a degree that anyone seeking harm cannot know if its safe or not to show up at any time! How about something like this for short-term?
3. BAN auto weapons: I could go for that. WHY does anybody need a weapon like that? I much rather have every neighbor with a rife/gun and a neighbor watch network than just me and an auto-weapon. I'm just going to have to depend on the government agencies and military units to protect me from foreign attacks. I, myself, can NOT expect to survive any other way! Ban also any modifications to make a gun automatic. Ban? STOP the manufacturers from making them! We need Crack-Down! Certainly we should know WHO the manufacturers are already. CLOSE them down! Don't have to ban and control them if they are not made and/or distributed. Let's put some hurt to them before they become a drug-dealer size operation!
4. Do you think even age 21 is high enough for the nuts? Why annoy the honest hunters? Hunting equipment needs to be available to all ages. Yes, maybe guns need to be supplied by the parents though. But, now we have the situation like we've seen where teen-killer used daddy's gun! And we have incidents where small kiddos got hold of daddy's gun and shot someone. Can't stop everything. How do we make parents more responsible? Limit them? Make them lock up guns? Must-have gun lockable gun-cabinets? Trigger locks? I vote to low-cost solution of trigger locks for ALL guns. Never sold without a trigger lock! But, once again, every player selling MUST comply with restriction and sale! So, part of log and control in #1 above is the requirement to have a trigger lock accompany it. Also, all owners of existing guns must purchase a lock and log to gun and lock serial numbers (1 lock serial number per assigned gun). I would think ANY parent with children would want this. Why risk not having a lock? Reminds me of a Dr. Phil episode yesterday where a parent has a destructive and respectfulness teen but still decides to leave on a vacation twice a year without the child INSTRUCTING him to not have a party. Right! You can almost not expect to have a trustful child go without a party. Only difference will be that of chaos. So, lock up those guns.
5. Cutting ties with NRA? Surely not. However, the NRA needs to step up and provide some solutions! How about those in this post? Stop lobbying and put some money into solutions that you are capable of performing and distributing. The money you save, plus government money to implement solutions, plus benefit to everyone is a reward NRA should seek hotly! SO, go to it NRA. Stop fighting the Dems over amendment rights and show to world some solutions that would boost your importance and membership!
Once again, I need a break. Go ahead and comment about what has been written so far. This is important to each one of us. Think and respond please.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
793. Sam's Crystal Ball Market Prediction is back
1/30/18: It has been a long time since Sam sent any "change" signals back to earth re the stock market. Looks like we're going to see another 5-7% pull back and test 25000 resistance. The roller coaster is already partway down the big slope. Start thinking about what you want to buy. Avoid selling if you are a long-term investor, but go ahead and sell some calls down about 3 % from current point. Of course, if you are playing with non-taxable accounts, play away if you are a gambler. Sam will be back again in 3-4 market days to help you get back up. Try not to vomit on the seats. Patience. This is end of month AND algorithm driven over-selling again.
Update 2/2/18: Whee-e-e-e. 25708 at the moment, down 475 or so. Closed at 26076 on day this was originally posted. Was 26617 on 1/26 before post. 25286 is -5% point from high. 24753 is down 7% from the high. My 25000 is mid-point or about 6%. I started some buying today on stocks that were even beyond current market stress. I'm a long-term investor and won't fret being wrong by 1%.
Minutes later....25619. You should be screaming by now. But, the bottom is near. We'll still get to feel the sharp curve ahead before leveling out and experiencing the smaller ups and downs until we return to the level wheelhouse, get on our feet, and rush off to a new ride. Maybe we should trek to the Kiddie rides or Merry-go-round. Naw. Need to clean out the guts and refill with good food once in a while. Sam did that by eating grass.
Update 2/5/18: At 24345 we are now over-sold. Start plopping your millions back into the market.
Update 2/6/18 2pm - Up + 341 and rapidly rising ... thank you Sam for your foresight.
Update 3/23/18: The bad Fed and Trade War vibes rekindled the fearmongers. Guess this wasn't completely hidden in the long-term crystal ball, but the overboard fear always hit the automatic triggers in the big-boy machines to continue the slide way down below what is sensible. They play the short-term swings and do it well causing this overreaction. Just sit it out as mentioned before. You can't fight the AI Machines that react in nanoseconds! Trump continues to "NEGOTIATE" best trade deals. You can't do this lying on your back when talking to other leaders. Let's wait and see what results come. We have a business man in charge who is flexible and intelligent. He'll cut bait and not be ashamed if he has to. As for the Fed: we knew inflation rates would rise and will again. Inflation is a result of improving the economy. Balance will level out again. The Fed's target is 2% inflation. Want to bet on whether we exceed this before they finally react and print more money? With China problems (they own many bonds and claim will not be buying more) the target is not steady I would say. However, long-term the stock market will always be better. Maybe in another 15 years I'll hide my investments in government bonds. But that will only be because I can no longer see, mentally incompetent, or the wife is already living off the trust I left her along with her weekly stipends. Life is a hoot. Smile and think of your Sam.
Update 2/2/18: Whee-e-e-e. 25708 at the moment, down 475 or so. Closed at 26076 on day this was originally posted. Was 26617 on 1/26 before post. 25286 is -5% point from high. 24753 is down 7% from the high. My 25000 is mid-point or about 6%. I started some buying today on stocks that were even beyond current market stress. I'm a long-term investor and won't fret being wrong by 1%.
Minutes later....25619. You should be screaming by now. But, the bottom is near. We'll still get to feel the sharp curve ahead before leveling out and experiencing the smaller ups and downs until we return to the level wheelhouse, get on our feet, and rush off to a new ride. Maybe we should trek to the Kiddie rides or Merry-go-round. Naw. Need to clean out the guts and refill with good food once in a while. Sam did that by eating grass.
Update 2/5/18: At 24345 we are now over-sold. Start plopping your millions back into the market.
Update 2/6/18 2pm - Up + 341 and rapidly rising ... thank you Sam for your foresight.
Update 3/23/18: The bad Fed and Trade War vibes rekindled the fearmongers. Guess this wasn't completely hidden in the long-term crystal ball, but the overboard fear always hit the automatic triggers in the big-boy machines to continue the slide way down below what is sensible. They play the short-term swings and do it well causing this overreaction. Just sit it out as mentioned before. You can't fight the AI Machines that react in nanoseconds! Trump continues to "NEGOTIATE" best trade deals. You can't do this lying on your back when talking to other leaders. Let's wait and see what results come. We have a business man in charge who is flexible and intelligent. He'll cut bait and not be ashamed if he has to. As for the Fed: we knew inflation rates would rise and will again. Inflation is a result of improving the economy. Balance will level out again. The Fed's target is 2% inflation. Want to bet on whether we exceed this before they finally react and print more money? With China problems (they own many bonds and claim will not be buying more) the target is not steady I would say. However, long-term the stock market will always be better. Maybe in another 15 years I'll hide my investments in government bonds. But that will only be because I can no longer see, mentally incompetent, or the wife is already living off the trust I left her along with her weekly stipends. Life is a hoot. Smile and think of your Sam.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
792. Additional enjoyable books beyond post 779 (Books Category)
I'm going to put David Baldacci on the must read author list. His series about special agent John Puller were all extremely entertaining. Here is the order you want to read them in:
1. Zero Day
2. The Forgotten
3. The Escape
4. No Man's Land
Add to these his Robie Series:
1. The Innocent
2. The Hit
3. The Target
4. The Guilty ... a bit different from the others ... more domestic problem and action.
5. Last one is The Endgame and I am on HOLD.
Thank you Public Library systems from which I get to borrow all my books for free.
1. Zero Day
2. The Forgotten
3. The Escape
4. No Man's Land
Add to these his Robie Series:
1. The Innocent
2. The Hit
3. The Target
4. The Guilty ... a bit different from the others ... more domestic problem and action.
5. Last one is The Endgame and I am on HOLD.
Thank you Public Library systems from which I get to borrow all my books for free.
791. Creators Version 1709 Update Experiences & Problems
IMPORTANT -- 2/1/18 Update: You may continue to read and act on information below (Part 2), BUT,wouldn't you know MSFT found another way to turn the screws.! Today I received a large windowed message indicating that Security Updates could not be installed and won't be until an upgrade to 1709 is done! So, yes you can hide the update as above, but regardless, you will have to upgrade to get Security Updates. Well, I am biting the bullet as I type with the upgrade and will probably have its experience documented in another post.
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Part 1
Update 2/2/18. GO for it! The 1709 update is a breeze to install. Kudos to MSFT. Despite some very old software, e.g., Office 2003, Old MSFT games, etc. everything went extremely well compared to wmy initial expectations based on building my system on a new PC with Creators Version preinstalled! An UPGRADE appears to be the way to go. The following few items depict the issues I had to resolve after the upgrade:
a) Start Page needed to be rebuilt (customized) from scratch to please me
b) Old MSFT games had to be reinstalled. There is a post in this blog to do such.
c) Revisit Windows Defender settings and put ICON back in notification area if desired
d) Remember, control Panel link disappears from where it was (Right-click Start), but is now under applications under Windows System. I simply right-clicked it and pinned it to my start.
e) My wife's UAC system kept getting a disturbing message that first she was requested to give the administrator's password to make a change, then that a Service Start failed (Dell Inc). After viewing Event Viewer I finally found an error starting SupportAssistAgent. Don't know why my UAC system didn't get this, but removing the program via Control Panel Programs and Features, the error went away.
f) 2/4/18: Great! Now we both get Dell Support Assist errors. I reinstalled Support Assist, but then the Agent comes back and wife gets error. Removed Agent again and we both get Support Assist error! Goodbye Support Assist entirely! All fixed.
g) 2/4/18: After a Shutdown (something was still running and I overrode it to shutdown), the next morning the PC would NOT boot! black screen. A simple power off/on did NOT resolve issue. I then held power button for about 30+ seconds AND removed power (went to battery I suppose), then powered on successfully. Event log was no help.
h) 2/6/18: SyncBackFree used to to my backups saved profiles in hidden folder c:\Users\...\Application Data\Local. The upgrade did NOT save the profiles in Windows.old. I am wondering if it saved any content for any hidden folders!
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Part 2 - Avoid installing 1709 Update Recently I temporarily added a new laptop to my home with Creators Version 1703 preinstalled (see post #782 and 784 for issues and installation). I do NOT want to replace my Anniversary Version 1607 with Creators Version! Go here to see how to block the installation. Basically, there are at least two ways that work, but I can't guess how long:
1. Go to website above linked via the "Go Here" hypertext. Within you need to find the O/S version you are currently on and follow the instructions. My 1607 Windows 10 Home Anniversary Version had the simple instructions to:
a) Download WUShowHide.diagcab from Microsoft as indicated there.
b) Run it, but STOP on first screen and click Advanced and UNcheck the "Apply repairs automatically" box
c) After a minute or two the current updates waiting to be installed will be displayed. If you see Feature Update Version 1709 or 1703 they are Creators Version. CHECK the box and hit HIDE.
d) You'll then get the Troubleshooting Completely Successfully message and you are done.
e) If you later want to install it, repeat a-d, but for step b CHECK the box for 1703/1709 and it will get scheduled.
Note: This must be run daily, always checking for Microsoft's unannounced 1703/1709 Update!!! Otherwise, you are going to wake some morning with Creators Version installed and it's issues.
2. Another trick, if you are WIRELESSLY connected is to enable METERED wifi as explained here. You don't actually need to be on a metered wifi connection/service. Enabling Metering will result in Microsoft NOT sending large updates to you and prompting you first.
If you don't like these options or are Ethernet connected (Wired), you'll have to search for solutions -- there are some, but more complicated. I switch between Wireless and Ethernet, so only option 1 will work for me EASILY.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 1
Update 2/2/18. GO for it! The 1709 update is a breeze to install. Kudos to MSFT. Despite some very old software, e.g., Office 2003, Old MSFT games, etc. everything went extremely well compared to wmy initial expectations based on building my system on a new PC with Creators Version preinstalled! An UPGRADE appears to be the way to go. The following few items depict the issues I had to resolve after the upgrade:
a) Start Page needed to be rebuilt (customized) from scratch to please me
b) Old MSFT games had to be reinstalled. There is a post in this blog to do such.
c) Revisit Windows Defender settings and put ICON back in notification area if desired
d) Remember, control Panel link disappears from where it was (Right-click Start), but is now under applications under Windows System. I simply right-clicked it and pinned it to my start.
e) My wife's UAC system kept getting a disturbing message that first she was requested to give the administrator's password to make a change, then that a Service Start failed (Dell Inc). After viewing Event Viewer I finally found an error starting SupportAssistAgent. Don't know why my UAC system didn't get this, but removing the program via Control Panel Programs and Features, the error went away.
f) 2/4/18: Great! Now we both get Dell Support Assist errors. I reinstalled Support Assist, but then the Agent comes back and wife gets error. Removed Agent again and we both get Support Assist error! Goodbye Support Assist entirely! All fixed.
g) 2/4/18: After a Shutdown (something was still running and I overrode it to shutdown), the next morning the PC would NOT boot! black screen. A simple power off/on did NOT resolve issue. I then held power button for about 30+ seconds AND removed power (went to battery I suppose), then powered on successfully. Event log was no help.
h) 2/6/18: SyncBackFree used to to my backups saved profiles in hidden folder c:\Users\...\Application Data\Local. The upgrade did NOT save the profiles in Windows.old. I am wondering if it saved any content for any hidden folders!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 2 - Avoid installing 1709 Update Recently I temporarily added a new laptop to my home with Creators Version 1703 preinstalled (see post #782 and 784 for issues and installation). I do NOT want to replace my Anniversary Version 1607 with Creators Version! Go here to see how to block the installation. Basically, there are at least two ways that work, but I can't guess how long:
1. Go to website above linked via the "Go Here" hypertext. Within you need to find the O/S version you are currently on and follow the instructions. My 1607 Windows 10 Home Anniversary Version had the simple instructions to:
a) Download WUShowHide.diagcab from Microsoft as indicated there.
b) Run it, but STOP on first screen and click Advanced and UNcheck the "Apply repairs automatically" box
c) After a minute or two the current updates waiting to be installed will be displayed. If you see Feature Update Version 1709 or 1703 they are Creators Version. CHECK the box and hit HIDE.
d) You'll then get the Troubleshooting Completely Successfully message and you are done.
e) If you later want to install it, repeat a-d, but for step b CHECK the box for 1703/1709 and it will get scheduled.
Note: This must be run daily, always checking for Microsoft's unannounced 1703/1709 Update!!! Otherwise, you are going to wake some morning with Creators Version installed and it's issues.
2. Another trick, if you are WIRELESSLY connected is to enable METERED wifi as explained here. You don't actually need to be on a metered wifi connection/service. Enabling Metering will result in Microsoft NOT sending large updates to you and prompting you first.
If you don't like these options or are Ethernet connected (Wired), you'll have to search for solutions -- there are some, but more complicated. I switch between Wireless and Ethernet, so only option 1 will work for me EASILY.
790. Here's an easy fix for ICONS MISSING FROM NOTIFICATION WINDOW
Ever wonder where your notification Icons went? They disappeared from the lower right window! I was on my Old, old XP system today and ran into this. The following very easy fix works for XP, and worth a try on all systems:
Simply LOGOFF/signoff, NOT Shutdown or Restart. Now log back in. Presto, there they are!
Simply LOGOFF/signoff, NOT Shutdown or Restart. Now log back in. Presto, there they are!
Saturday, November 18, 2017
789. Microsoft Destruction
I can't let Microsoft off so easily from the fiasco (see post 787) re Windows Update processes. I really wanted a new PC and started to review the top brands once again (Lenovo, ASUS, DELL, HP, ACER) only to many, many users of all brands have run into the Overheating and loud fan problem. Particularly troubling is the mentioning of LOUD fan noise in the context of ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY. Only a few of the users though recognized that Windows Update had a play in why the fans were running at their max speed and so long. Most simply commented on the brand's processor review that the noticed the disturbing fan noise and a good portion returned/replaced the unit. The replacements also had the same noise, and it points out clearly that the brand's manufacturer had no clue either. Well, many problems are apparent looking at this fiasco:
1. The PC manufacturer's technical support is clueless of the root cause of the fan even running!
2. In my case with Dell, they weren't interested in going down the road with me to discover the root cause. Simpler for them is to tell you to send it the DEPOT to have it looked up, totally ignorant of the work and inconvenience this solution causes. I would imagine I would have gotten a replacement set up at ground zero, meaning, I would have had to rebuild and customize it from scratch again!
3. The LOUDNESS is a concern itself. A lap top, particularly one that is used in an executive boadr room or an office with other people cannot be so noisy it causes distractions to others! So, the brand manufacturers need either address this noise OR go after the root cause of the issue (MICROSOFT).
4. The over heating caused by over clocking for example, or for some other reason can damage processors and other computer parts. All fans will fail some time, but not usually in the life time of your PC which will become out-dated and replaced usually. However, a fan that runs at high speed for HOURS WILL likely fail within your PC lifetime! Thus, the over heating root cause needs to be found (MICROSOFT in this case) and eliminated or your PC architecture must understand the load processes and be designed to accommodate them.
5. An application, Windows Updates in my case, need to be controlled and not crazily jeopardize it's host (MY PC). But, what if this is the plan by Microsoft? Why don't their machines over heat? Or do they? Or did they and now don't because they perform the Window Update differently on their machines? Hmmmm, I mean grrrrr.
Let's contemplate #5 above. A company certainly wants to compete with others. BUT fairly as President Trump keeps reminding us re Trade. If you were running Lenovo, HP, Dell, ASUS, Acer, etc.) and your PCs were being hammered by Windows Update over heating what would you do? Put millions or billions in developing new technology to handle the heat or simply go after the abuser?
Going after the abuser primer: Assume you were an application developer and for some reason one of your programmers found a slick way to run many tasks at the same time. Clever. Now you can get 100 things done in the same time it took 1 before. This is multi-programming and rather old. The concept is to utilize whatever resources are available in the machine to fulfill your purpose. Hence, If there are 4 or 8 or 18 processors, run something on all of them at the same time, while have hundreds queued up to run on them when a particular task hesitates for I/O. theoretically, you can keep every core processor busy close to 100% of the time, and burn up your PC doing it! This, the rub. You CAN'T use the resources full out. There must be limits to your madness. So, you determine that 25% use of every process at the same time would be a 100x improvement over your competitor's applications. If you don't blow up the machine you make a fortune selling your application!
But, suppose you are writing an application that will make money DIRECTLY. How can you take advantage of your poor competitors? How about blow up their machines but while safely running on your machines? Hence, a new conspiracy theory has been born. I need to simply design MY machine so it can tolerate 25% CPU per installed processor and let the other figure out why their machines are having issues. Hey, why not additionally team up with manufacturer's of cooling systems and say, look, I want to invest in you and get in cheap knowing that you can cause a reason for the consumer to worry and buy addition cooling systems. Clever!
Hello Microsoft Windows Update! You're own your way to make this happen! Just like you pushed Windows Update to monopolize consumer systems on old O/S to force them to to newer one, you have now found another way to force consumers to buy cooling systems or your processors.
What COULD MICROSOFT do instead? Be a friendly neighbor? Yes. There is no reason to dispatch hundreds of updating actions that over-utilize the processors in a machine to the point of cause so much heat that the fans run constantly and loudly! I DON'T need my updates done instantly! Nor do I need them packaged so large that they take days to install! I realize Windows 10 has a monumental number of software issues. The PC architecture was never designed to handle the attacks and complexities we see today. It IS time for a new architecture. Unfortunately, we'll never see it in our life time. It is a CASH COW for Microsoft. Apple, come to our rescue with less expensive machines! So, the resolution becomes:
1. Package smaller updates and send them off more frequently
2. No package should ever exceed x number of update tasks at a time, keeping the queues reasonable and the processors under, say, 10% running in the background without interfering with consumer use.
3. For large packages, assuming unavoidable, keep # 2 in force, and schedule the updates overnight. Do NOT cause overheating then when the consumer won't see it!!!
4. STOP the forced Automation of maintenance! You must allow the consumer to at least Schedule updates when appropriate. BUT you must still comply with 1,2 and 3 above.
Okay. Now lifting my leg and cooling down the soapbox. I feel better now knowing what is happening, at least in my mind. Unfortunately, my desire to buy a new PC has disappeared since all brands have this problem and all are susceptible to damage from the problem. Over clocking by Intel Turbo Boost adds to thr heat, but at least they were smart enough to step out of the picture by turning it off once over heating occurs. Unfortunately though, when you really need the boost (Windows Update), you can't take advantage of it! Maybe the answer is better cooling systems. Water cooled systems work! The personal computer, particularly all computer built around Intel and Microsoft are nothing bu repeats of mainframes by IBM and lookalikes. Even the operating systems follow the same path: a few tasks (DOS), multi tasking (SVS, MVS), multiple virtual machine (VM), distributed (CLOUD and Networking), etc. The key engineering challenge was always how to keep the machine cool when components are becoming denser and smaller. The big difference is the greed of the multiple brands to just SELL things rather than to innovate. I'm not an Apple person (yet), but their new system out in December is electrifying. Adequate cooling is a MUST. Hello PC manufacturers. Spend some research money. I really don't see any of the companies stepping up to this task other than Microsoft and Apple. All the others are simply producing cute bells and whistle stuff to attract consumers.
Didn't I say the soapbox was going away. Oh gee, even the floor is wet and starting to stink. Have a nice day.
1. The PC manufacturer's technical support is clueless of the root cause of the fan even running!
2. In my case with Dell, they weren't interested in going down the road with me to discover the root cause. Simpler for them is to tell you to send it the DEPOT to have it looked up, totally ignorant of the work and inconvenience this solution causes. I would imagine I would have gotten a replacement set up at ground zero, meaning, I would have had to rebuild and customize it from scratch again!
3. The LOUDNESS is a concern itself. A lap top, particularly one that is used in an executive boadr room or an office with other people cannot be so noisy it causes distractions to others! So, the brand manufacturers need either address this noise OR go after the root cause of the issue (MICROSOFT).
4. The over heating caused by over clocking for example, or for some other reason can damage processors and other computer parts. All fans will fail some time, but not usually in the life time of your PC which will become out-dated and replaced usually. However, a fan that runs at high speed for HOURS WILL likely fail within your PC lifetime! Thus, the over heating root cause needs to be found (MICROSOFT in this case) and eliminated or your PC architecture must understand the load processes and be designed to accommodate them.
5. An application, Windows Updates in my case, need to be controlled and not crazily jeopardize it's host (MY PC). But, what if this is the plan by Microsoft? Why don't their machines over heat? Or do they? Or did they and now don't because they perform the Window Update differently on their machines? Hmmmm, I mean grrrrr.
Let's contemplate #5 above. A company certainly wants to compete with others. BUT fairly as President Trump keeps reminding us re Trade. If you were running Lenovo, HP, Dell, ASUS, Acer, etc.) and your PCs were being hammered by Windows Update over heating what would you do? Put millions or billions in developing new technology to handle the heat or simply go after the abuser?
Going after the abuser primer: Assume you were an application developer and for some reason one of your programmers found a slick way to run many tasks at the same time. Clever. Now you can get 100 things done in the same time it took 1 before. This is multi-programming and rather old. The concept is to utilize whatever resources are available in the machine to fulfill your purpose. Hence, If there are 4 or 8 or 18 processors, run something on all of them at the same time, while have hundreds queued up to run on them when a particular task hesitates for I/O. theoretically, you can keep every core processor busy close to 100% of the time, and burn up your PC doing it! This, the rub. You CAN'T use the resources full out. There must be limits to your madness. So, you determine that 25% use of every process at the same time would be a 100x improvement over your competitor's applications. If you don't blow up the machine you make a fortune selling your application!
But, suppose you are writing an application that will make money DIRECTLY. How can you take advantage of your poor competitors? How about blow up their machines but while safely running on your machines? Hence, a new conspiracy theory has been born. I need to simply design MY machine so it can tolerate 25% CPU per installed processor and let the other figure out why their machines are having issues. Hey, why not additionally team up with manufacturer's of cooling systems and say, look, I want to invest in you and get in cheap knowing that you can cause a reason for the consumer to worry and buy addition cooling systems. Clever!
Hello Microsoft Windows Update! You're own your way to make this happen! Just like you pushed Windows Update to monopolize consumer systems on old O/S to force them to to newer one, you have now found another way to force consumers to buy cooling systems or your processors.
What COULD MICROSOFT do instead? Be a friendly neighbor? Yes. There is no reason to dispatch hundreds of updating actions that over-utilize the processors in a machine to the point of cause so much heat that the fans run constantly and loudly! I DON'T need my updates done instantly! Nor do I need them packaged so large that they take days to install! I realize Windows 10 has a monumental number of software issues. The PC architecture was never designed to handle the attacks and complexities we see today. It IS time for a new architecture. Unfortunately, we'll never see it in our life time. It is a CASH COW for Microsoft. Apple, come to our rescue with less expensive machines! So, the resolution becomes:
1. Package smaller updates and send them off more frequently
2. No package should ever exceed x number of update tasks at a time, keeping the queues reasonable and the processors under, say, 10% running in the background without interfering with consumer use.
3. For large packages, assuming unavoidable, keep # 2 in force, and schedule the updates overnight. Do NOT cause overheating then when the consumer won't see it!!!
4. STOP the forced Automation of maintenance! You must allow the consumer to at least Schedule updates when appropriate. BUT you must still comply with 1,2 and 3 above.
Okay. Now lifting my leg and cooling down the soapbox. I feel better now knowing what is happening, at least in my mind. Unfortunately, my desire to buy a new PC has disappeared since all brands have this problem and all are susceptible to damage from the problem. Over clocking by Intel Turbo Boost adds to thr heat, but at least they were smart enough to step out of the picture by turning it off once over heating occurs. Unfortunately though, when you really need the boost (Windows Update), you can't take advantage of it! Maybe the answer is better cooling systems. Water cooled systems work! The personal computer, particularly all computer built around Intel and Microsoft are nothing bu repeats of mainframes by IBM and lookalikes. Even the operating systems follow the same path: a few tasks (DOS), multi tasking (SVS, MVS), multiple virtual machine (VM), distributed (CLOUD and Networking), etc. The key engineering challenge was always how to keep the machine cool when components are becoming denser and smaller. The big difference is the greed of the multiple brands to just SELL things rather than to innovate. I'm not an Apple person (yet), but their new system out in December is electrifying. Adequate cooling is a MUST. Hello PC manufacturers. Spend some research money. I really don't see any of the companies stepping up to this task other than Microsoft and Apple. All the others are simply producing cute bells and whistle stuff to attract consumers.
Didn't I say the soapbox was going away. Oh gee, even the floor is wet and starting to stink. Have a nice day.
788. "Save AS" or Print not working
Two separate processes failed for me the other day and had my head and tail shaking with frustration. One time I tried to Print from my brokerage account. Hitting PRINT on its website under Chrome gave me A print dialog. I emphasize "A" since I think it was the standard default print dialog put out by Chrome since it had an option at the bottom to use the Sys Print dialog instead. Anyway, that is not really important for cause of problem is same as in "Save As" and various other actions. The bottom line for Print is that it went through its actions and looked like it completed normally, but NO print. The document never even made it to the PC's printer queue. Scratch, scratch? So, I go over to IE 11 and perform the function and it works. Aha, a Chrome problem! Yes in a way, but not really.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd look at a credit card statement. Did what I normally do, i.e., hit the download in the CC application, and view it with the default viewer, in this case Microsoft Edge. Voile, I see it. Now I want to save it into my appropriate financial folder so I select download within Edge to specify the file folder and name. Whoa. Error. Can't find file blah.blah.blah.blah. Well, blah.blah.blah.blah folder path was changed the other day. As a matter of fact it was deleted and all my financial files put under a different directory, and thus path. Scratch, scratch!
Other actions may or may not have occurred independent from these two example, I can't recall. My old dog mind went foggy after the 1st issue. But, after a doggy treat the sparks went off. TEMPORARY file names were being used from the other day, rather than the new names! YES. As it turns out, the print dialog and "Save As" dialog attempt to utilize the LAST file name (full path of course) to simplify your life, assuming you probably want to perform your action there. WRONG in this case. Both dialogs looked for a path that was deleted, instead of a default the new default set up to the new path. The print dialog gave no indication that it failed. The "Save As" dialog at least gave me the old path name that led set off the fireworks. Why did IE11 work? Because I never use it to do these actions and there wasn't a temporary name used!
So, here's the warning and solution: If you run into something like this any where after making a change to a file path recently, assume you still have temporary file names lying around that will be used by system functions. So, go to your cleanup program, CCleaner in my case, and clean up the trash. After the CCleaner run that deleted all temporary crap, every thing went back to normal. My new defaults primed the pumps, after which the dialogs mentioned here used again, but now new, last used file names.
Good boy. Here's another treat.
Meanwhile, I thought I'd look at a credit card statement. Did what I normally do, i.e., hit the download in the CC application, and view it with the default viewer, in this case Microsoft Edge. Voile, I see it. Now I want to save it into my appropriate financial folder so I select download within Edge to specify the file folder and name. Whoa. Error. Can't find file blah.blah.blah.blah. Well, blah.blah.blah.blah folder path was changed the other day. As a matter of fact it was deleted and all my financial files put under a different directory, and thus path. Scratch, scratch!
Other actions may or may not have occurred independent from these two example, I can't recall. My old dog mind went foggy after the 1st issue. But, after a doggy treat the sparks went off. TEMPORARY file names were being used from the other day, rather than the new names! YES. As it turns out, the print dialog and "Save As" dialog attempt to utilize the LAST file name (full path of course) to simplify your life, assuming you probably want to perform your action there. WRONG in this case. Both dialogs looked for a path that was deleted, instead of a default the new default set up to the new path. The print dialog gave no indication that it failed. The "Save As" dialog at least gave me the old path name that led set off the fireworks. Why did IE11 work? Because I never use it to do these actions and there wasn't a temporary name used!
So, here's the warning and solution: If you run into something like this any where after making a change to a file path recently, assume you still have temporary file names lying around that will be used by system functions. So, go to your cleanup program, CCleaner in my case, and clean up the trash. After the CCleaner run that deleted all temporary crap, every thing went back to normal. My new defaults primed the pumps, after which the dialogs mentioned here used again, but now new, last used file names.
Good boy. Here's another treat.
Friday, November 17, 2017
787. Dell Adventure + Windows Update + Loud Fan + Heat
From the title you can tell this post will cover a few things. Let's start by saying until today I was working on new Dell 15-5000. Here was the issue:
For very long periods of time, like 4+hours for over 2 days with periods of only 1-2 minutes to rest, the Dell PC Fan was running at high speed and noisier than the sound of a happy Geiger counter that found nuclear material. Can you hear the loud static? That's the sound of the Dell fan running!
Why was it running. Well, of course, the machine was too hot. How hot? According to SPECCY, each of the i7 Core Processors was running between 90C-99C. Normally, they were at 42 C except for 1-2 second spurts when some heavy processor requirement spiked it up.
This processor had i& 8th generation Turbo Boost processors in it. Thus, they would run above the base speed of 1.8 GHZ to something like 3.8 GHz -- called Over Clocking. Nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact the processors were running as expected. The speed varied based on processor load. As you increase the speed though, more heat is added to the fire. For a second or two to get your application loaded, all is find. The boost certainly did help. But when Windows Update -- either the Windows Update process or the Wondows Modules Installer process -- was running, it demanded high processor use. Even though it drove the processors only to maybe 29-39%, the heat went to 90C - 99 C. When that happens, the thermal sensors catch it and STOP the boost and your right back to 1.8 GHz! So, what's the point of demanding high processor use?!
Now, here's the Dell running away -- who knows, could have been melting away -- and Dell support team has NO interest what so ever about it and wants me to send my PC to Dell Depot. Well, this is 2nd PC; first was defective having problem inside PC affecting the installed optical drive (went through 3 of those before they finally fessed up and agreed that the problem was with the PC, not any optical drive ... about a 2 weeks wasted with them over that matter before they exchanged it with this new one experiencing the heat problem). Well, the fifrst PC ALSO had the loud fan problem, but I didn't pursue it then and didn't record the temperatures. I can only assume similar; why else would it be running at high speed for long periods? To make a long, but really unbelievable support service issue, short, I finally had enough of their poor support staffed with 1st line technical (Ha) morons, all the way up to 2 levels of management. I was now on my 29th day of initial Dell order (first PC) and the exchange did NOT change the 30-day window I had to return for a refund. The clowns at Dell didn't care much about that either and offered to have advanced tech support call in 24-48 hours (not an option), send to depot and lose my windows (not an option), so reluctantly, I canceled the order and am getting a refund. The critter is in a box already on its way back via UPS.
Dell did not one thing to help determine the root cause of the overheating and loud fan. Just send it back yet again! My debugging immediately indicated that the Windows Update process was the culprit after I killed the process running. Instant silence -- oh what a relief it is. This lasted maybe for about 2-3 hours before Microsoft once again did it Updates Check, recognized that the update failed, and kicked off Windows Modules Installer to get it resolved. Warum, there goes the heat and fan again! The root cause is undoubted ly Microsoft Windows 10 Creators Version Windows Update! So, even before I sent the Dell back, I observed a large number of instances across all major computer brands running Windows 10 with identical problem. So, even though the Dell wasn't alone, the support sucked so much I sent it back.
Now, the end conclusion is that Microsoft obviously, like they did in past to get you off XP, then Windows ME, then Windows 7 forced multi-processing tasks to its maximum. I can see in the mist that for a large update, and the one a few days ago was one that created a "Windows.Old" copy of system files like it did when Windows 7 was upgraded to Windows 10, and later when that base version went to Fall Update and Anniversary Update. In other words, when hundreds, or even thousands, of modules must change, dispatching heards of them at once to execute independently will keep all the core processors you have busy forever, or at least until the entire update is done. Hence, overheat your PC. Now, here's a thought. Will a Microsoft processor, like the Pro or Book overheat on a Windows Update? Didn't see any! Well, how about that? Microsoft KNEW what Windows Update would do and is doing and designed their machines to handle the issue. The other brands have yet to figure this out and continue to slowly melt away or run their fan to death. Clever? I hate to sound like a conspiracy idiot, but man what a plan to kill the PC hardware business! Stay tuned for the future!
Guess by now, you are asking what can be done. Well there is one thing I did that I didn't get to test before sending the machine back. There is a setting under windows Update that allows (by default) your PC to act as the initial download hub for distributing downloaded updates to all other machines on your local network! Can you believe this? Anyway, TURN IT OFF! Why should your machine do the processing to determine other distributions and prepare the packages to send? Wish I had the machine to test this. I would have backed off the 11/15/17 monstrous update and reapplied it. But, thanks Dell, you made my day and saved me the time. I am back on my 2010 Dell Inspiron on Windows 10 Anniversary and have NO fan running!
I don't want to bad-mouth the Dell 15-5000 which was a superb machine so far with its 128 GB SDD for the system and the 1TB HDD for my data. It's processor BASE speed was less than this old 1440, but the Turbo Boost with the SDD configuration made it fly in comparison when starting, loading programs, etc. Once you were on the Internet, it really didn't help much though. But, I loved the fact that I could uniquely separate my data from the system. After the optical Drive fiasco was resolved with a PC exchange, I though I would have it for the next 10 years! I started looking at other brands -- Lenovo, ASUS, HP -- and all of them have the same Windows Update overheating issue and all them have a disturbingly loud fan that runs. So, there isn't any solution to Microsoft's "plan". Like in the past where they ran the uniprocessor to 80-95% doing Windows Update processing, they now do the same, but run EACH of the 4 core processors 25%!
Anything else you can do? Since they forced automatic updates, you could look around for hacks to turn that off! One clever way I found was to go to you network and change to METERED network connection mode even though yo probably don't have an ISP that meters your traffic. According to that suggester, that will essentially turn OFF windows updates from downloading, But, some day you are going to want to allow updates. Then you will burn in H.... until they are downloaded and installed. We need to demand that Microsoft LIMIT their processing, say less than 10% CPU per core processor to NOT cause overheating situations. I know that will never happen. Meanwhile the manufactures of cooling additions/extensions will benefit.
One question I have that is not answered is to Intel: What is the operating temperature range of the Kaby Lake processors? What can they tolerate and for how long before damaging them, let along other components of the machine? Still so many unkowns and questions well above my expertise. I'm an old dog now and don't want to do any more tricks! Where are the mindless millennials who are suppose to "save" us? Sounds like their mindlessly writing code to do to tend the trees while told to so by a few rich guys who own the forest.
Ok, I'm done with this. The youngsters will be crying to eat their cake in the future that they already stuck in the cabinet to mold (hello youth...there are freezers). Good luck if you are experiencing Overheating and loud fan noise.
For very long periods of time, like 4+hours for over 2 days with periods of only 1-2 minutes to rest, the Dell PC Fan was running at high speed and noisier than the sound of a happy Geiger counter that found nuclear material. Can you hear the loud static? That's the sound of the Dell fan running!
Why was it running. Well, of course, the machine was too hot. How hot? According to SPECCY, each of the i7 Core Processors was running between 90C-99C. Normally, they were at 42 C except for 1-2 second spurts when some heavy processor requirement spiked it up.
This processor had i& 8th generation Turbo Boost processors in it. Thus, they would run above the base speed of 1.8 GHZ to something like 3.8 GHz -- called Over Clocking. Nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact the processors were running as expected. The speed varied based on processor load. As you increase the speed though, more heat is added to the fire. For a second or two to get your application loaded, all is find. The boost certainly did help. But when Windows Update -- either the Windows Update process or the Wondows Modules Installer process -- was running, it demanded high processor use. Even though it drove the processors only to maybe 29-39%, the heat went to 90C - 99 C. When that happens, the thermal sensors catch it and STOP the boost and your right back to 1.8 GHz! So, what's the point of demanding high processor use?!
Now, here's the Dell running away -- who knows, could have been melting away -- and Dell support team has NO interest what so ever about it and wants me to send my PC to Dell Depot. Well, this is 2nd PC; first was defective having problem inside PC affecting the installed optical drive (went through 3 of those before they finally fessed up and agreed that the problem was with the PC, not any optical drive ... about a 2 weeks wasted with them over that matter before they exchanged it with this new one experiencing the heat problem). Well, the fifrst PC ALSO had the loud fan problem, but I didn't pursue it then and didn't record the temperatures. I can only assume similar; why else would it be running at high speed for long periods? To make a long, but really unbelievable support service issue, short, I finally had enough of their poor support staffed with 1st line technical (Ha) morons, all the way up to 2 levels of management. I was now on my 29th day of initial Dell order (first PC) and the exchange did NOT change the 30-day window I had to return for a refund. The clowns at Dell didn't care much about that either and offered to have advanced tech support call in 24-48 hours (not an option), send to depot and lose my windows (not an option), so reluctantly, I canceled the order and am getting a refund. The critter is in a box already on its way back via UPS.
Dell did not one thing to help determine the root cause of the overheating and loud fan. Just send it back yet again! My debugging immediately indicated that the Windows Update process was the culprit after I killed the process running. Instant silence -- oh what a relief it is. This lasted maybe for about 2-3 hours before Microsoft once again did it Updates Check, recognized that the update failed, and kicked off Windows Modules Installer to get it resolved. Warum, there goes the heat and fan again! The root cause is undoubted ly Microsoft Windows 10 Creators Version Windows Update! So, even before I sent the Dell back, I observed a large number of instances across all major computer brands running Windows 10 with identical problem. So, even though the Dell wasn't alone, the support sucked so much I sent it back.
Now, the end conclusion is that Microsoft obviously, like they did in past to get you off XP, then Windows ME, then Windows 7 forced multi-processing tasks to its maximum. I can see in the mist that for a large update, and the one a few days ago was one that created a "Windows.Old" copy of system files like it did when Windows 7 was upgraded to Windows 10, and later when that base version went to Fall Update and Anniversary Update. In other words, when hundreds, or even thousands, of modules must change, dispatching heards of them at once to execute independently will keep all the core processors you have busy forever, or at least until the entire update is done. Hence, overheat your PC. Now, here's a thought. Will a Microsoft processor, like the Pro or Book overheat on a Windows Update? Didn't see any! Well, how about that? Microsoft KNEW what Windows Update would do and is doing and designed their machines to handle the issue. The other brands have yet to figure this out and continue to slowly melt away or run their fan to death. Clever? I hate to sound like a conspiracy idiot, but man what a plan to kill the PC hardware business! Stay tuned for the future!
Guess by now, you are asking what can be done. Well there is one thing I did that I didn't get to test before sending the machine back. There is a setting under windows Update that allows (by default) your PC to act as the initial download hub for distributing downloaded updates to all other machines on your local network! Can you believe this? Anyway, TURN IT OFF! Why should your machine do the processing to determine other distributions and prepare the packages to send? Wish I had the machine to test this. I would have backed off the 11/15/17 monstrous update and reapplied it. But, thanks Dell, you made my day and saved me the time. I am back on my 2010 Dell Inspiron on Windows 10 Anniversary and have NO fan running!
I don't want to bad-mouth the Dell 15-5000 which was a superb machine so far with its 128 GB SDD for the system and the 1TB HDD for my data. It's processor BASE speed was less than this old 1440, but the Turbo Boost with the SDD configuration made it fly in comparison when starting, loading programs, etc. Once you were on the Internet, it really didn't help much though. But, I loved the fact that I could uniquely separate my data from the system. After the optical Drive fiasco was resolved with a PC exchange, I though I would have it for the next 10 years! I started looking at other brands -- Lenovo, ASUS, HP -- and all of them have the same Windows Update overheating issue and all them have a disturbingly loud fan that runs. So, there isn't any solution to Microsoft's "plan". Like in the past where they ran the uniprocessor to 80-95% doing Windows Update processing, they now do the same, but run EACH of the 4 core processors 25%!
Anything else you can do? Since they forced automatic updates, you could look around for hacks to turn that off! One clever way I found was to go to you network and change to METERED network connection mode even though yo probably don't have an ISP that meters your traffic. According to that suggester, that will essentially turn OFF windows updates from downloading, But, some day you are going to want to allow updates. Then you will burn in H.... until they are downloaded and installed. We need to demand that Microsoft LIMIT their processing, say less than 10% CPU per core processor to NOT cause overheating situations. I know that will never happen. Meanwhile the manufactures of cooling additions/extensions will benefit.
One question I have that is not answered is to Intel: What is the operating temperature range of the Kaby Lake processors? What can they tolerate and for how long before damaging them, let along other components of the machine? Still so many unkowns and questions well above my expertise. I'm an old dog now and don't want to do any more tricks! Where are the mindless millennials who are suppose to "save" us? Sounds like their mindlessly writing code to do to tend the trees while told to so by a few rich guys who own the forest.
Ok, I'm done with this. The youngsters will be crying to eat their cake in the future that they already stuck in the cabinet to mold (hello youth...there are freezers). Good luck if you are experiencing Overheating and loud fan noise.
Thursday, November 2, 2017
786. Accuweather (AIR) application Installer Damaged Message
A week ago I build my first 15-5000 machine and successfully installed the Accuweather Stratus 1.1 Gadget without problems. Today, it wouldn't install on my replacement 15-5000 machine! The following tip I found in some 2015 queue to get around the error and allow the product to install:
Set your clock back a year when the install worked ok (I just set my date to 2016). Now, install Accuweather. It will be successful. Set clock back to today (automatic).
Well, what caused the stupid message that the installation failed because the installer was damaged? According to expert back in 2015 (different application), the problem is because they let the Signed Certification expire! Setting machine back before the time it expired allows installation of it (fakes it out).
Set your clock back a year when the install worked ok (I just set my date to 2016). Now, install Accuweather. It will be successful. Set clock back to today (automatic).
Well, what caused the stupid message that the installation failed because the installer was damaged? According to expert back in 2015 (different application), the problem is because they let the Signed Certification expire! Setting machine back before the time it expired allows installation of it (fakes it out).
Sunday, October 29, 2017
785. CAUTION: Dell 15-5000 Bad Opt Drive Mount and Need to fix AC3165 driver/setup
Update 1/2/17 - BINGO! It took another level of escalation to convince Dell that the drives could be ok, but the drive mount or connection inside were at fault. I considered that to be the case when I had to physically remove the drive to clear an error condition and than reinstall it. The next manager up immediately initiated a PC System Exchange and I received a new PC in 2 days. Installed it and tested immediately before any other installations/customization. It was SO-O-O-O QUIET! I can't believe I wasted over 10 hours with the first-line technical support idiots who HEARD THE NOISE (clattering, chattering, tick like a Big Ben clock) and saw the failures and instead of instantly doing the right thing, continued to bug me about compatibility of CDs. I finally looked up that concern on their site by looking at optical drives and reading the additional documentation re them. In that documentation it clearly states that ALL types of previously recorded discs WILL run! Today I built the new system and started to wipe my data off the bad PC. By tomorrow it will be on a UPS truck going back to Dell. I suppose I should give kudos to the manager Ankit who understood the issue and problems and did the Exchange along with prepaid return of the bad one. Thanks. However, he was also given an earful re his support team who monumentally screwed up! But, what's about 15 min-hours of their time worth?
Conclusion: Don't take crap from a Dell first or second line support and if you are confident re your problem and likely cause, get on the escalation train quickly. I still haven't had an Internet hit, so I'm quite happy now with this Dell.
Initial Problem:
So far I have tried 3 HL-DT-STDVD+- GU09N optical drives, the one that came with my NEW 15-5000 series 5700. All are a piece of crap! The first could read only 1 of 13 disks (CD,DVD,Commercial Audio, Commercial movie) and only one time. In other words, the drive failed on every disk tried. All disks run flawlessly in two other Dell PCs (older ones) and the movie runs in DVR Player attached to TV. Dell has been unhelpful other than taking over my system to look at info and run the same tests I ran, which failed! Dell did get two REFURBISHED drives to me, but all 3 were failures in one way or the other. Such as: Never got recognized by Windows 10, never loaded, never did autoplay, failed during play (movie) every time, crashed system once, hung applications, etc.
It amazes me that a company like DELL, selling fine processors, continues to put trash components inside. The drive I had had a date of 6/30/2015! Despite updating all drivers, 2 days after installing the new preinstalled system, the results were as stated. During the 3rd removal, the plastic connection on the bezel finally had enough and broke off! I used electricians on what was left and stuffed it on successfully.
Meanwhile, the tech rep Nio who proudly said she would handle the service request exclusively by email, hadn't responded to 4-5 emails sent until I emailed DELL customer support about the issue. Then she sent me a phone number to call, obviously begging out! Needless to say, she'll get a 0 stars from me on a survey.
So, I don't know where I stand on the Dell Service Request. I reinstalled the 2nd drive since it is the best of the worse. At least audio and data disks, except for one DVD-R worked. Movies are still a problem and I have yet to test burning to a disk which I have read on Internet help sites that I should not expect much, or should I say, more than little.
This entry is a CAUTION to those buying Dell products which I have used for over 14 years and enjoyed! I think I'm old enough to build my own now with good components. Oh, the Wireless adapter, AC3165, has also caused unrecoverable (automatically) intermittent Internet drops, crashed my router twice, blue-screened (seems MSFT on Creator version at least catches things and didn't present a blue screen, but instead a screen to tell you you have crashed and being restarted). I have downloaded a newer driver directly from Intel to try to fix problems (not available yet to Dell).
Conclusion: Don't take crap from a Dell first or second line support and if you are confident re your problem and likely cause, get on the escalation train quickly. I still haven't had an Internet hit, so I'm quite happy now with this Dell.
Update 10/21/17 - Internet running fine now. Dell, after escalating 2 levels is sending a new PC. The problem with the drive might be related to the gouge hole on the drive bezel (face plate) reported. It might be that the mounting bracket is damaged. In 2 weeks we'll be testing new PC and optical drive.
Initial Problem:
So far I have tried 3 HL-DT-STDVD+- GU09N optical drives, the one that came with my NEW 15-5000 series 5700. All are a piece of crap! The first could read only 1 of 13 disks (CD,DVD,Commercial Audio, Commercial movie) and only one time. In other words, the drive failed on every disk tried. All disks run flawlessly in two other Dell PCs (older ones) and the movie runs in DVR Player attached to TV. Dell has been unhelpful other than taking over my system to look at info and run the same tests I ran, which failed! Dell did get two REFURBISHED drives to me, but all 3 were failures in one way or the other. Such as: Never got recognized by Windows 10, never loaded, never did autoplay, failed during play (movie) every time, crashed system once, hung applications, etc.
It amazes me that a company like DELL, selling fine processors, continues to put trash components inside. The drive I had had a date of 6/30/2015! Despite updating all drivers, 2 days after installing the new preinstalled system, the results were as stated. During the 3rd removal, the plastic connection on the bezel finally had enough and broke off! I used electricians on what was left and stuffed it on successfully.
Meanwhile, the tech rep Nio who proudly said she would handle the service request exclusively by email, hadn't responded to 4-5 emails sent until I emailed DELL customer support about the issue. Then she sent me a phone number to call, obviously begging out! Needless to say, she'll get a 0 stars from me on a survey.
So, I don't know where I stand on the Dell Service Request. I reinstalled the 2nd drive since it is the best of the worse. At least audio and data disks, except for one DVD-R worked. Movies are still a problem and I have yet to test burning to a disk which I have read on Internet help sites that I should not expect much, or should I say, more than little.
This entry is a CAUTION to those buying Dell products which I have used for over 14 years and enjoyed! I think I'm old enough to build my own now with good components. Oh, the Wireless adapter, AC3165, has also caused unrecoverable (automatically) intermittent Internet drops, crashed my router twice, blue-screened (seems MSFT on Creator version at least catches things and didn't present a blue screen, but instead a screen to tell you you have crashed and being restarted). I have downloaded a newer driver directly from Intel to try to fix problems (not available yet to Dell).
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
784. New PC with Creator Version Installation Example
I thought I'd share with you my experience installing a new Dell PC with preinstalled Windows 10 Creator Version where I was coming from an older Dell with Anniversary Version.:
1. Note the new PC’s support
info. For the Dell 15-1500 Series 5700 being installed, thefollowing applies:
a. Dell Service Tag: xxxxxx
b. Dell Express Svc Code: xxxxxx
c. Dell Warranty: Expires xxxxx
2. Attach power and Ethernet
cable and power on.
3. When asked for logon
credentials by Microsoft’s popup asking for its account ID and password, do NOT
use it. Instead create a Local Logon with your desired UAC name. But, since I
did not catch this, the steps will proceed with using the MSFT Account ID and
password. It will ask for a PIN to for the account also: xxxx.
4. Fingerprint Setup … I
believe later you can ADD a fingerprint. We will try additional users by doing Start > type HELLO you
can proceed to fingerprint processing.
5. Cortana Setup … Cortana is a
waste. Dumb it down here and later kill it.
6. Dropbox … No need for this,
did NOT setup
7. Onedrive … No need for this,
did NOT setup
8. McAfee … Will not use this
1-year trial, so did NOT setup and remove later
9. Netflix … will never use, so
did NOT setup and remove later
10. Kill Cortana:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Policies > Microsoft > Windows.
Now, setup a Key (there already or
create one) called AllowCortana equal to DWORD32 = 0. If you want to reenable
Cortana, set it to 1. Note: Cortana task cannot be diabled permantently and
will still pop up under active tasks.
11. Somewhere it automatically
set up the Network, including wireless, but has not yet set up password to
wireless.
12. Chrome: Download from Google
website. When it installs and you login with Google Account, it automatically
creates same bookmarks, add-ons, passwords, from before. Change default Download pointer by Settings > Advanced > Downloads. Set to d:\Downloads from
c:\users\me\downloads.
13. Netgear Genie: This was difficult to find on
Netgear site. Instead had to search Google for it and then go to the link owned
by Netger. Downloaded and installed.
14. CCleaner downloaded and
installed, version ccsetup.535.exe.
15. Network Adapters: Note
wireless AC3165 in this PC, driver=Intel, 19.51.4.2, 7/2/17
16. Backupper: Get from site and
installed This is used to backup/recover personal data on D:
17. Create RECOVERY drive and
save system files. Start > RECOVERY
18. Speccy: Downloaded and
installed
19. Thunderbird: This is Email
Agent used. Download and install.
a. Set up email accounts using
EXISTING email addresses
b. Set up Local Folders by
copying them from old PC. On that PC do Help > Troubleshooting > Open
Profile Folder to get their location. Now, open File Explorer and go to the
location > Open Mail > Local Folders and copy the files to flash drive.
On new PC, repeat the steps until you get to Local Files subdirectory in File
Explorer and copy Flash Drive
c. On old PC Thunderbird, go to
Address Book and EXPORT LDIF or .CSV file to Flash Drive
d. On new PC Thunderbird,
IMPORT them from Flash Drive
20. Note the entire Configuration:
Processor:
i&-8550U @ 1.8 GHz
Memory: 8GB
(capable up to 16 GB) in slot 1. 8192 DDR4 (2400 MHz), SMBIOS, Mfr =
01980000802C, Part # KMKYF9-MID
etc.
21. BIOS: When Dell Logon screen
comes up, QUICKLY hit F2
22. Set up File Network sharing:
Network Sharing > Advanced . Then turn on “network discovery” and “file and
printer Sharing”. If asked for network credentials when trying to get to old
PC, they are the user name TPANC13 and PW for getting on that system. Make sure
the old PC also has these file settings. ALSO, Shut everything down including
Router (unplug for 30 secs). Now, bring up router and power up PCs.
23. SAFE Mode: Hold Shift and do
Restart AND keep holding Shift until menu comes up for Troubleshooting, Select
Windows Startup Settings and select Safe Mode.
24. Dell Diagnostics: Power off.
Power on and continually tap F12 until menu comes up.
25. Remove McAfee and ensure
Windows Defender comes active.
26. Install broker software
27. AxCrypt: Installed by
copying 1.7.28930-x64-en-us-beta.msi to d:\AxCrypt Install Files. Then run it.
The KEEPTIMESTAMP reg hack must be redone to keep timestamp equal to underlying
file. Got this from old PC and now in d:\Hacks folder.
28. AnyPassword: Copied
AnyPassword to d:\AnyPassword and execute apwp.exe 3/19/12 file. Once
installed, copy database PSW2016.PW from old PC into same D:\AnyPassword
directory. You will need Key. Should be in folder, but have to change extension
to .reg and run it. Now, customize when started the the default folders/files
to use pointing to new PSW2016.PW.
29. SyncToy: Downloaded 2.1 and
installed. Will probably not use this since it got things all messed up!
30. Office 2003: Install from the CD. Get Office Service Pack SP3
from Microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=8 and install it to get last
level of last updates before being discontinued. Also need the Office
Compatibility product that allowed 2003 to use 2007 and above files. Set up the
default libraries in both Word and Excel to point to D:.
Problem: EULA prompt every time Excel brought up. Fix is to start Excel as
Administrator,load a file, and close. Next time everything will be ok.
Problem: Clicking on a .xls file does not get you to Excel. File Associations
need to be updated. The installation of Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for
Word, Excel, Powerpoint File Formats needed to be installed. It assigns .xls to
Open XML Converter. The download to install is actualled called File
FormatConverter.exe
31. Problem: At this point noisy Optical drive Problem and failures to data CDs.
Called Dell Tech Pritam and after many hours showing problem manager Mohammed
on 10/19 committed to send out new drive due here on 10/23.
32. Brother Printer (DCP-L2540DW
Series): This will work automatically. Driver some how works with anything.
However, we needed Utilities to use scanner, etc. Tried disk, but Optical drive
went into a loop (see 32 for more problems). So, installed Full drivers,
Network MF2-Prosuite from the Brother site. Bring up CC4 app and change default
libraries for scanned files to d:\Harware\Brother…\Scanned Documents.
33. Cute PDF: Download from site
BOTH Cute PDF and Prereq GhostScript Converter and install.
34. Window Title Colors: Go to
Settings > Personalize > Colors and set
35. Display Theme. Find Yosemite file and run it.
36. Accuweather Gadget. This
uses Air, so both the widget download was required after searching Accuweather
Stratus download AND Air from real ADOBE site.
37. Downloaded ACDSEE for
Pentax, but did not install. We’ll use default application Photos. Quicktime
was required for other one.
38. Decrypted all picture files
so we can find them via Photos. Actually use less disk space.
39. Ancestral Quest 15.
Downloaded from searched site and got Key from old PC to enter. Copy old
Ancestry Stuff on Desktop of old PC to new location D:\AncestryStuff
40. Powerpoint Viewer. Download
and install.
41. Touchpad Blocker: Download
and Install. Changed toggle to Ctrl+T because Ctrl+F9 was used elsewhere.
42. UAC Picture: Search and go
ahead and update.
43. Customized Start ICONs.
Removed crap from install and built mine using smaller Icons and groups.
44. Create subdirectory under
d:\Family\Nancy called Books & Movies and used file sharing to copy most
recently updated Books, Movies, eBook .doc files. Now they will be backed up
with normal backups. However, I do need to copy periodically her files into
this new folder on my PC.
45. Create SymList link for
Thunderbird folder containing address book, etc. data. See Post 783.
Hope this is of use to someone. The install and customization took less than a half day when you remove the time wasted with the Optical Drive problem -- see post 782.
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