Computer on the blink again

Well that’s what you get if you don’t bother replacing the hard drive after around 5 years of constant read/writes… it start to make funny noises and wont boot!

So, just ordered a new 500Gb SataII Western Digital one from eBuyer, should be here tomorrow. I only hope ghost or some other backup imaging tool can read the hdd well enough to do a backup to save me days of setting it all up again.

Fingers crossed! Just booting up with my custom “Rich Pyke Computer Services” ultimate boot disk which contains a whole load of useful tools for situations like this, along with my Rich Pyke Computer Services custom made Hyrens Boot Disk with even more tools on it. Hopefully between them it’ll be up and running again in no time at all.

On the plus side, the card reader in the HTPC decided it would start working again tonight, however I have a feeling it will stop working as soon as it hits 60 degrees – which is around about now (I really should move it from being above the TV but sandwiched between the old AV selector and the cable box!)

Blogging made easier

As if it wasn’t easy enough to set up a free blogging account with the many different suppliers and write everything you want to with ease Microsoft have made it much easier for you, and have been for some time (but I never got around to using it).

Part of the Live Essentials free download (Windows Live Messenger  co.) is windows Live Writer which is basically a WYSIWYG HTML editor which can take your blog details and automatically post for you.

It’s got some great tools and features and makes a complex blog full of pictures and videos ever so easy. I recommend it to all (I’m writing this with it!).

Media Live HTPC Report

As mentioned last time, the report for the HTPC is here… it’s not 100% yet as the card reader needs connecting up and the cooling of it needs a little attention but that is all simple to do and, for the purposes of this report, it matters not. Below is the Summary, more reports to come later.

EVEREST Ultimate Edition

---

Version  
EVEREST v5.02.1810 Beta

Benchmark Module  
2.4.258.0

Homepage  
http://www.lavalys.com/

Report Type  
Summary

Computer  
MEDIALIVE

Generator  
Rich

Operating System  
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 6.1.7600

Date  
2009-09-23

Time  
17:07

Summary

---

Computer:

Computer Type  
ACPI x86-based PC

Chassis  
MSI Media Live Silver

Power Supply  
200w

Operating System  
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate

OS Service Pack  
-

Internet Explorer  
8.0.7600.16385

DirectX  
DirectX 11.0

Computer Name  
MEDIALIVE

User Name  
Rich

Logon Domain  
MediaLive

Date / Time  
2009-09-23 / 17:07

Motherboard:

CPU Type  
DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2900 MHz (14.5 x 200) 5600+

CPU Cooler  
Bubble LP

Motherboard Name  
MSI Media Live (MS-7329) (1 PCI, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Video, Gigabit LAN, IEEE-1394)

Motherboard Chipset  
nVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE, AMD Hammer

System Memory  
3200 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)

DIMM1: Nanya M2Y1GH64TU8HD6B-AC  
1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)

DIMM2: Nanya M2Y1GH64TU8HD6B-AC  
1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-18 @ 400 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)

DIMM3: Crucial RM12864AA800.8FE  
1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (6-6-6-18 @ 400 MHz) (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)

DIMM4: Crucial RM12864AA800.8FE  
1 GB DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM (6-6-6-18 @ 400 MHz) (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz)

BIOS Type  
AMI (08/20/08)

Display:

Video Adapter  
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE (128 MB)

Video Adapter  
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE (128 MB)

3D Accelerator  
nVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE

Monitor  
Generic PnP Monitor [NoDB] (181116843009)

Multimedia:

Audio Adapter  
nVIDIA nForce 430 (MCP51) - High Definition Audio Controller

Storage:

IDE Controller  
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller

Storage Controller  
NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller

Storage Controller  
NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller

Disk Drive  
WDC WD32 00AAJS-00L7A SCSI Disk Device (298 GB)  
WDC WD75 00AAKS-00RBA SCSI Disk Device (698 GB)

Optical Drive  
PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-K06RS ATA Device (DVD+R9:4x, DVD-R9:4x, DVD+RW:8x/8x, DVD-RW:8x/6x, DVD-RAM:5x, DVD-ROM:8x, CD:24x/24x/24x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)

SMART Hard Disks Status  
OK

Partitions:

C: (NTFS)  
298.0 GB (279.0 GB free)

D: (NTFS)  
698.6 GB (26.9 GB free)

Total Size  
996.6 GB (305.8 GB free)

Input:

Keyboard  
HID Keyboard Device

Keyboard  
HID Keyboard Device

Keyboard  
Microsoft eHome MCIR 109 Keyboard

Keyboard  
Microsoft eHome MCIR Keyboard

Keyboard  
Microsoft eHome Remote Control Keyboard keys

Mouse  
HID-compliant mouse

Mouse  
HID-compliant mouse

Network:

Primary IP Address  
XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

Primary MAC Address  
XX-XX-XX-XX-XX-XX

Network Adapter  
802.11g MiniUSB 2.0 Wireless Bluetooth Combo (XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX)

Network Adapter  
Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network)

Network Adapter  
Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter

Network Adapter  
NVIDIA nForce 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet

Peripherals:

Printer  
HP Officejet 6300 series

FireWire Controller  
VIA VT6306/6307 Fire II IEEE1394 Host Controller (PHY: VIA VT6307)

Infrared Controller  
eHome Infrared Receiver (USBCIR)

Infrared Controller  
Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver

USB1 Controller  
nVIDIA nForce 430 (MCP51) - OHCI USB 1.1 Controller

USB2 Controller  
nVIDIA nForce 430 (MCP51) - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller

USB Device  
802.11g MiniUSB 2.0 Wireless Bluetooth Combo

USB Device  
eHome Infrared Receiver (USBCIR)

USB Device  
Generic Bluetooth Adapter

USB Device  
Generic USB Hub

USB Device  
USB Composite Device

USB Device  
USB Composite Device

USB Device  
USB Input Device

USB Device  
USB Input Device

USB Device  
USB Input Device

USB Device  
USB Input Device

DMI:

DMI BIOS Vendor  
American Megatrends Inc.

DMI BIOS Version  
080013

DMI System Manufacturer  
MSI

DMI System Product  
MS-7329

DMI System Version  
2.0

DMI System UUID  
00020003-00040005-00060007-00080009

DMI Motherboard Manufacturer  
MSI

DMI Motherboard Product  
MS-7329

DMI Motherboard Version  
2.0

DMI Total / Free Memory Sockets  
4 / 0

Sonic Boom!

Hell yeah, the wait was worth it and the new songs more than make up for the lame ass album title.

Kiss - Sonic Boom is what I am on about! And it is just how it should be... it is Kiss at their finest and I would just like to say a big screw you to all who complain about Tommy & Eric... this proves they belong in KISS!!

Kiss forever! Go buy Sonic Boom when it's released!! Go preorder it now!!

Desktop build complete

Finally, the desktop build is completed and everything is running fine... or almost everything.

Windows 7 seems to want to play silly beggers with the network and connect one LAN connection to two networks, my Home network and an "undifined" network but this is easily sorted, every time it boots up, by disabling and re-enabeling the network... not ideal but hey, it's Windows 7, it's new (it's not even out yet!)

Still some software to install, such as setpoint for the logitech keyboard/mouse but it isn't required and they don't have a version for Windows 7 yet so I will wait rather than install the Vista version run in compatibility mode.

Benchmarking the system and it comes up close to the top of the list, it's actually in the top 5 for some things, and this is against builds which have processors which are three or four times the cost of the one installed! Both reports can be found here and here for those interested.

Reports for the HTPC will be coming shortly however that one is still having some problems which is to be expected due to the complexity of the machine and it's purpose. I'll blog about that another time.

Update on the car

At long last, I got the car back in to Dave Loudoun's for it's repairs... it only took the best part of 11 weeks to get it in!! But, it's now back and I *think* everything except for the climate control panel is fixed (I agreed I would sort the climate control as they couldn't get hold of one but I can get it refurbished for £35).

There was a fair bit wrong with the car once I picked it up - hardly any of it showed up on the test drive but all of it had to be done free of charge. The list included;
CD Changer didn't read discs.
SRS light on dash constantly on (occupancy sensor, seat belt tensioner).
Passenger airbag de-activated.
Roof and roof cover clashed on operation of roof (tension straps).
Car wouldn't start on occasions (bad earth).
Gear knob come off in hand.
Windscreen wipers didn't work.
Climate Control panel intermittent fault (bad capacitor).

But, so far so good... I haven't come across any other major problems. The only ones I need to sort out myself are the climate control panel as mentioned, a few interior lamps have died (ash trays, lighter) and replace the rear windscreen or attempt to clean it up.

I also have the number plate holders to fit now too, but need to strategically position the fake number plate bolts on the plates to alter the 9 to make it look more like a y.

I'm tempted to get the front end resprayed or touched up due to the stone chips, I also need the alarm settings changed as it auto arms after about 5 seconds which is a right pain in the ass!

But, nearly 3 months after buying it, it is almost how it should be. However, watch this be the end of summer - we have the best days when I don't have the car, sod's law and all that...

Disposal of Clutter?

The time has come that I must finally do something about all of the crap that's lying around, under my bed, in cupboards etc.

Again, only about 2 weeks since the last time, I ended up sharing my bedroom with one hell of a spider (not just long skinny legs, huge body, huge hairy thick legs...)

Chances are there are more in there too... I haven't a clue as to what's under the bed or even at the bottom of it!

So, as a result, I need to get rid of all the clutter which I have kept for over 5 years and never used. I have no idea how I will do this, I thought ebay at first but it'll cost me and the shit wont sell. I may end up taking it to the tip, or most of it... some of it'll sell such as the 2 guitars, the bass guitar, the bass amp, the guitar amp, the PSP etc. but other shit like my two old xboxs wont, neither will any of the shit I have stored in the box of misc. electronic bits (which 90% probably doesn't work!).

Anyway, if anyone has a good idea on how I can clear my crap please comment and let me know. Or if anyone wants to buy a very cheap xbox console modified to run XBMC (google it, it kicks ass but I have no need now I have the HTPC) or guitar or, well, anything... comment and let me know.

Then it's time to get to finally finishing off the wall with my TV on, building the cupboard, putting in the shelves etc... I started it in January...

I'm worth £3025 (I'm worth so much more!!)

Hair:
[x] Brown - £100
[ ] Blonde - £50
[ ] Black - £15
[ ] Bald - £5
[ ] Other-£75
---------------------------------------------------Total:£100

Eye Color:
[ ] Brown - £50
[ ] Green - £75
[x] Blue - £150
[ ] Hazel - £100
[ ] Other - £15
----------------------------------------------------Total: £150
Height:
[ ] Over 7′ - £200
[ ] 6′8″ to 7′ - £175
[ ] 6′0″ to 6′7″ - £150
[x] 5′10″ to 5′11″ - £75
[ ] 5′4″ to 5′10″ - £85
[ ] Under 5'4 - £95
----------------------------------------------------Total:£75
Age:
[ ] 50 to 56 - £175
[ ] 46 to 50 - £150
[ ] 41 to 45 - £125
[ ] 31 to 40 - £100
[x] 26 to 30 - £75
[ ] 21 to 25 - £50
[ ] 19 to 20 - £25
[ ] 0 to 18 - £100
----------------------------------------------------Total:£75
Birth Order:
[ ] Twins or more than twins - £700
[ ] First born - £320
[ ] Only child - £250
[x] Second born £100
[ ] Third born - £550
[ ] Fourth born - £300
[ ] Fifth born - £400
[ ] Sixth born - £215
----------------------------------------------------Total: £100
Drink:
[x] I did like once £400
[ ] Only holidays or occasions - £250
[ ] Sometimes - £215
[ ] Yes - £200
[ ] Only weekends when I can - £300
[ ] Every other day - £50
[ ] Once a day - £15
[ ] I live from the bottle - £Bankrupt£ [[back to £ZERO]]
[ ] No - £0
----------------------------------------------------Total: £400
Vision
[x] Perfect vision - £400
[ ] Need/have glasses but don't wear them - £200
[ ] No correction - £100
[ ] Glasses - £50
[ ] Contacts - £25
[ ] Surgical correction - £100
[ ] Some times Blurry eye site-£300
---------------------------------------------------- Total: £400
Shoe Size:
[ ] 13+ - £300
[ ] 12 and a half to 13 - £250
[ ] 11 to 12 - £400
[x] 7 to 10 - £500
[ ] Under 7- £450
----------------------------------------------------Total: £500
Favorite Colour:
[ ]Green-£800
[ ] Red - £600
[ ] Black - £100
[ ] Yellow -£475
[ ] Brown - £300
[x] Purple - £225
[ ] White - £400
[ ] Aqua - £350
[ ] Orange - £300
[ ] Blue - £300
[ ] Pink - £100
[ ] Other - £500
----------------------------------------------------Total:£225
Did you use a calculator to add it all up?
[ ] Yes - £0
[x] Nope - £1000
[ ] Some - £750
----------------------------------------------------Final Total: £3025