junkpc

Notes

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:42:20 GMT

1) error popup on taskbar last night, some exe corrupt; don't know what generated the error - can I get to computer management w/o explorer?
2) chkdsk ran on boot and found something that I didn't pay attention to since I hadn't yet had coffee.
3) Windows login screen ok. Attempts to log on as 'normal' user = fail (immediate logoff). Log in as me, get a blank desktop (no explorer). When logged in this way, task manager can run iexplore and will get online. Did not try cmd. Cannot run explorer. Forgot the error message. It's not useful.
4) nothing installed recently other than AOE3.
5) I thought system restore and shadow copies was on by default - but there are no restore points available.
6) windows boot diagnostic tool found no startup errors.
7) msconfig/turn off all startup items accomplished nothing.
8) next step? safe mode?

Links provided to me:
http://www.geekgirls.com/vista_troubleshooting.htm
http://vista-basic.blogspot.com/
http://www.5starsupport.com/faq/vista-faq.htm

Thing

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:06:26 GMT

My LiveJournal Trick-or-Treat Haul
junkpc goes trick-or-treating, dressed up as A phone guy.
fireba11 tricks you! You get a toothbrush.
ginabeth tricks you! You get a wet rag.
grayhawkfh gives you 13 green grapefruit-flavoured gummy worms.
killernurd tricks you! You lose 7 pieces of candy!
lohquesse tricks you! You get an eraser.
moliarity gives you 7 teal grape-flavoured pieces of bubblegum.
mousecat0 gives you 7 yellow pineapple-flavoured pieces of taffy.
punkwalrus gives you 13 pink mint-flavoured gummy bats.
stoooooooo tricks you! You get a dead frog.
usethe4sluke tricks you! You lose 23 pieces of candy!
junkpc ends up with 10 pieces of candy, a toothbrush, a wet rag, an eraser, and a dead frog.
Go trick-or-treating! Username:
Another fun meme brought to you by rfreebern.

It will be mine... oh yes, it will be mine

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:43:29 GMT

Well, ok. Technically, it already *is* mine.
I got the title issues with the car figured out on Saturday.
The jorb, still pretty good. I gots nothin' to complain about. Hope it stays that way.
Family life, well... the baby does not seem to mind daycare all that much. Mrs Junkpc seems pretty happy with her new jorb.
Um... yeah, the lappy arrived, and I have decided to leave Vista on it. Just 'cause. Mostly 'cause I am lazy.
I did, however, attempt to install kubuntu on Virtual PC, and ran into what seems to be a common error. Something about a processor error or somesuch. I am not a good geek, 'cause I don't remember it.
Either way, for the stuff that I have been using it for, the lappy ain't too bad.
Um... what else.....
Fessor's busy being himself, and he and Boogie still occasionally fight. I don't think it's serious.
I'm gonna go poke around some boring web pages for a bit, then sleepy time.

Need help/information from MD people re: MVA

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 02:10:19 GMT

I need to do an auto title transfer and get plates **yesterday**. MVA site says that they are only open on Saturday for license services. I am absolutely stuck.
If you know that this is not true, or that there is an independent title service agent, let me know please.
Since I am new on the new job, I cannot take time off to do this, neither can Mrs Junkpc.
Thanks!

New Hotness

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:03:25 GMT

So, I have a dilemma.
For the first time, I have actually purchased for myself a brand new computer. We're not talking about some fistful of parts that I need to assemble myself with a .... really, it's valid MS license for whatever flavor of Windows. No, no! We're talking about an open the box and here's a shiny new computer that's not for someone else!
Now - there are some of you that know that we got Mrs Junkpc a new PC right around the time of the baby's arrival, and some would argue that this computer was, in fact, mine. It's something different when the intended main user is not you.
So, anyway, my new laptop should get here in a few weeks (apparently the batteries are on backorder).
Now, to my problem.....
The new computer will ship with Windows Vista Ultimate preinstalled.
I have heard/read different things about it. Many bad, but some ok.
I have several options;
1) I can 'downgrade' to XP Pro
2) I can dual-boot with XP Pro
3) I can virtualize XP Pro
4) I can forget XP Pro and just learn Vista Ultimate
5) I can go off the deep end and install some flavor of Linux

realistically, 5 is not an option for me. We don't need to go into why. I have other computers here with which I intend to play with Linux. I can also, if I really want to play with it that badly, choose options 2 and maybe 3.

I am thinking that I am more in favor of 3, then 2. I guess it all depends on what I want to use the thing for....

So, anyway, any thoughts? Suggestions? Tips to learn to love Vista?
Is Vista actually XP's ME?
Film at 11?

Funny

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:02:44 GMT

Even Rush isn't as good as Rush - http://www.colbertnation.com/?p=1657

First day

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:37:57 GMT

Wow.
If today's interactions were any clue, I may actually have gotten myself way inverted on the bullshit to pay ratio. This is a very good thing.
I gots things to do here at the ranch, though - so y'all can wait here 'til I gets back, y'hear?

Well, it's about time!!

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:29:06 GMT

Ok... Let's see - for those that haven't heard from me in a while, Hi! You could email me, or something.

So, what's new -
I am changing jobs. That's right - after 5+ years with the same employer, I am leaving. I am going from being a giant whale in a goldfish bowl to being something single-celled and very insignificant in the Pacific. BUT - the amount of money that I will be given in exchange for whatever it is that they want me to do is significantly higher than what it is/was. And the benefits.... so, yeah... I won't ever be able to wear shorts to work again, and I pretty much need to bag the Chuck Taylors. Ok.
In other news, Baby Junkpc is doing well.... and by well I mean smiling, burping, pooping, pooping, pooping, and being a pretty good baby. People love her.
Also, Mrs. Junkpc is changing jorbs as well. Yep. No more crazy people for her.
Well, at least, no more crazy patients. We still have our friends.
In addition, I just had to buy a car - I can explain that later. Our other car just got paid off, so it's not *that* bad.
Oh, and yeah - Junkpc's brother, the Auto-Tech, is planning to move in with us for a while.

So - that's what's going on with me - that's why I haven't called you or sent an email. I have been just a bit busy - and that's just the stuff I can remember right now.

My lawn is a wreck!!

What's *your* excuse?!?!?

AMERICA! F*** YEAH!

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:00:43 GMT

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,376689,00.html

Time to rip his page from the address book

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:24:44 GMT

For those that saw the bit on his last tour.... yeah.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7468681.stm

Fortunately, Mrs. Junkpc and I got to see the last stop in Baltimore. I have a calendar on my desk, so today's entry:

Considering how often these child-trapped-in-a-car stories have been reported on TV, don't you think by now parents should have gotten the idea? Actually, isn't that one of the more fundamental rules of child rearind? "Don't bake your children!"

Happy Birthday

Sat, 10 May 2008 12:05:47 GMT

Because I am just now able to get to a computer for a few minutes, I am a bit late in announcing the arrival of our daughter, Pandora. Born 5/7/2008, 7 lbs 4.5 oz, 21.25" @ 8:40 pm.

The only thing I can say is this:
The door is closed. The safety lecture has been given. The fasten seatbelts light is on, and the pilot just hit the throttle. We are well on our way to what will surely be a giant adventure. We already have a few stories from her first few days of life, and at least one of them is a defecation misadventure involving the poor timing of an inexperienced parent.

Thanks to all for kind words, support, gifts, advice, and everything else that our friends have provided. We are really lucky people to have our friends. Pictures will be posted soon at images.junkpc.com.
Also - if there is anybody that I did not notify personally in the last few days, please don't take it as anything but my poor planning and lack of a centralized information store. (I know - I should have an Exchange server here at the ranch) I still have a lot of phone calls to make, and I'm learning how to be a dad.

Time to go see if Mrs. Junkpc is still sleeping. She deserves it.

No more Double Yoi

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:44:52 GMT

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igAMjPEh5APfWp_UJPV3ZVXrRpfQD8V2NS6G0

Time Stand Still

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 14:24:19 GMT

Blatantly stolen without permission - read the lyrics or watch. Ignore the 80's-ness of the video, it's not the important part.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzySVkMMqlE

I turn my back to the wind
To catch my breath
Before I start off again.
Driven on without a moment to spend
To pass an evening with a drink and a friend

I let my skin get too thin
I'd like to pause
No matter what I pretend
Like some pilgrim
Who learns to transcend
Learns to live as if each step was the end

(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the
places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each sensation a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away

I turn my face to the sun
Close my eyes
Let my defences down
All those wounds that I can't get unwound

I let my past go too fast
No time to pause
If I could slow it all down
Like some captain, whose ship runs aground
I can wait until the tide comes around

(Time stand still)
I'm not looking back
But I want to look around me now
(Time stand still)
See more of the people and the
places that surround me now
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger
Freeze this motion a little bit longer
The innocence slips away
The innocence slips away...

Summer's going fast, nights growing colder
Children growing up, old
friends growing older
Freeze this moment a little bit longer
Make each impression a little bit stronger
Experience slips away
Experience slips away...
The innocence slips away

Fetal Rock-n-Roll Syndrome

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:35:42 GMT

Ok - the title is a stretch, but it seemed like it fit:
Mrs Junkpc calls me while we're both driving to work.
The local rock station decided to play Rush's 'Tom Sawyer'
I am a huge Rush fan - not the most rabid, maybe - but I am half way on my quest to own all of their work on vinyl. (That's 33 1/3 RPM record discs for those of you not from the stone age like me)
Anyway -
Mrs Junkpc calls me from the road and announces yet another reason why this is most certainly my/our child.
She (the fetus) has not been very active in the mornings. Until she heard Rush today.
Then, she started moving all over the place.

Now, there are several possible explanations for this, but I am choosing to ignore all but the one that amused us this morning - which is that we know that our baby will also be a fan of that wacky Canadian trio.

other possibilities include:
1) hated breakfast
2) woke up cranky and upset because internal organs were crowding her personal space
3) just decided that Mrs Junkpc needed a punch in the spleen
4) hates Rush and was trying to get away

- I think I should find some archive tape of Myron Cope and Bill Hillgrove. This is something that we will need to know about now.

Sonogram SAYS!!!!

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:33:21 GMT

Sorry - couldn't resist.
It will be a girl.

Beaten by Denver?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:27:46 GMT

STFU.
I should have gone to bed.

Damned responsibilities

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 02:08:14 GMT

Losing 21-7 at the half, and I need to go to bed.
Dammit.
Edit: 21-14.
Can I change mood to only slightly less annoyed?
I really should go to bed.
Another Edit: 28-14.
I should have gone to bed.

Family

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:13:05 GMT

I know that this may get annoying, but I know that some people have 'friended' me on here.
Just because it's mine, I have decided to use craptastic.junkpc.com as my primary dumping ground.

So either just check that regularly, or I'll probably keep adding links here for the immediate moment.
You can feel free to comment here if you'd like, or there, or - don't bother. Up to you.
http://craptastic.junkpc.com/2007/10/11/family-expansion.aspx

Of course I'm linking back to my own site.

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 01:23:14 GMT

http://craptastic.junkpc.com/2007/10/08/more-useless-crap--online-names.aspx

Bored-Curious.

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:11:24 GMT

http://craptastic.junkpc.com/2007/10/02/boredcurious-solicitation-of-comments.aspx

auto-dim rear view mirrors

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:35:23 GMT

If you have an auto-dim mirror, check out these few sites.
Watch for the discolorations, etc. I will be posting pictures a little later today.

The first place I found this was here: http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78061
These mirrors are not just in Acuras - they are apparently in BMW M3's and M5's as well; see http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=160179&highlight=mirror

I am waiting to hear back from Dani at Magna Donelly, but until I hear back, I have removed the mirror from the car.

If you have any thoughts, I think I'd like to read them.

anybooksales.com

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 01:46:34 GMT

If anyone you know places an order on Amazon, and it is through anybooksales.com, you should immediately punch the person in the face. (ok, if it's a child, you can just slap them twice)
The people at anybooksales.com are obviously unloved.
They should close up their business, poison themselves, and go play on the train tracks, but only after they inject Drano directly into their eyes.
This is absolutely the worst vendor that has ever tried to do business with Amazon.

We have a winner

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 14:23:29 GMT

http://taynik.com/tiki-browse_image.php?offset=0&sort_mode=created_desc&desp=8&galleryId=35&imageId=3105

worst .... dinner... ever

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 02:13:18 GMT

Ok - not quite *that* bad - but pretty f'ing terrible.
We went to ye local Corral de Golde, not known for it's classy atmosphere and elegant presentation, but it's food.

1) Counter girl - rude as Shi'ite, with a Sunni disposition (no, she was not of any arabic lineage, as far as I could tell, it's just the names. Laugh, man. Really)
2) 'waitress' - complained more than .... someone that complains a *lot*. 10 minutes straight of complaining to .... *no-one*, about *everything*.
3) customers - probably some of the most rude, loud, demanding, entitled, nasty people on the planet, and all of them had to pick where I wanted to eat to display their particularly charming brand of .... what is word ..... effervescence?
4) food - usually just this side of mediocre, today was downright nasty. They added a new ingredient to their meatloaf; 1/2 cup of suck.

The rest of the day, if you care, was OK. Took Boogie to the vet for the annual 'jab my cat with needles and make her panic' festival. She's a whole 9.9 pound ball of fluff.
Spent some time with Mrs. Junkpc's cow-irker with an HP laptop issue. The issue is that it's deceased.

Through some troubleshooting, 2 trips to Radio Shack, and a call to the Senator, it turns out that I get to disassemble the laptop completely, just to see what may be broken around the power connector. Lovely.
I should be working on that this week sometime.
Found this documentation that should be helpful - take a look if you feel like laughing hysterically at what I get to go through: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00444244.pdf

That's about it.
Enjoy your 'wow, that was random' day.

Dumb people

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:33:15 GMT

http://post-gazette.com/pg/06361/749262-100.stm