pink screen of death

On my main computer, the main screen suddenly goes pink, out of nowhere.

Unplug DVI from PC. Bring in a Roku (known good, used last night) and plug in with HDMI. Change source, looks good. Switch back to PC with DVI, same old problem. Darn, there goes the easy answer. Now its down to possibly a bad port on either video card or monitor.

On monitor 2, unplug DVI from video card, plug into other DVI port, it is OK. Now take that DVI and plug it into monitor 1. Is it a bad DVI port on monitor 1? Wow, that's an even worse errror, just green and white diagonal bars.

Just for the heck of it, plug DVI into other port on video card - now it works. I hate intermittent problems.

So, monitor 1 (Samsung) connected with DVI to video card left side (facing the rear), OK.
Monitor 2 (Dell) connected with DVI to video card right side, OK.

Conclusion? Somebody was feeling neglected and wanted some attention, or a loose connection. Maybe the video card itself is loose, and all this plugging jostled it back into place.

I was initially hoping that it was bad video card, because I'd love an excuse to upgrade, but currently no such luck.

how to backup Facebook

This procedure will prompt Facebook to make an archive of your account and send it to you via an email link.

Log in to Facebook from a computer (not phone).
Click small down arrow in top right corner, then click Settings (fourth from bottom).
You should now be at "General Account Settings". In the center of the page you should see "Download a copy of your Facebook data", click it.
You should now be at "Download Your Information", click the green button "Start My Archive".
You will be prompted to "Please Re-enter Your Password". Do so and click Submit.
You will see a box "Request My Download", click the blue button "Start My Archive".
You will be sent an email, click Okay.

You will receive an email from Facebook with the subject "Facebook download requested".
You will then receive another email from Facebook with the subject "Your Facebook download is ready".
Click on the link in the email, click the green button "Download Archive". Enter password again.
You will be prompted to download a zip file, save it.

Inside the zip file is an "index" file that you can open in your browser and see a summary of your activity, photos, messages, etc.

a new arrival : 4 TB hdd

2017.05.31
Desperately running out of disk space, acquire new 4 TB hdd.

Because my primary machine (730x) already has an ssd, a good old hdd which maximizes on space and not on speed is just fine.

2017.08.18
Disk working fine with just iTunes data on there.
Slowly been copying data over (and checking CRCs) to fill the disk, finally hit limit, seems fine. Deleting fill data, and going to gradually starting moving in data from the smaller disks.

Just notice recycling bin is on for this disk. It's been so long since I had to change that setting, I forgot about doing it on this disk and my new SSD. How to get to Recycling Bin settings, since I hid it on the desktop years ago... after a few minutes searching I just turn it back on briefly, just easier that way. Make sure all disks set to delete immediately (but I still want Display delete confirmation dialog), empty recycle bin, hide it, done.

2017.10.21
Finally got all podcasts media on there (413 GB).

webm stopped working in Firefox

Webm files won't play properly in Firefox anymore. Tested the same links in Chrome and they play fine.

Some webm (webms? webm's?) will only play a small duration, about 10%, some don't open at all.

Firefox is set to auto-update, has extensions Greasemonkey, NoScript, and uBlock Origin (and a few others, like Enhanced Middle Click and LastPass) , and the script 4chan X (I only read it for the articles, I swear).

I find a webm that works fine in Chrome for testing.
If I disable Greasemonkey (which takes out 4chan X), restart Firefox, the webm plays now (with sound, too).

Enable Greasemonkey, but leave 4chan X off, restart. Webm is good, audio and video.

Now enable 4chan X, restart. Webm only plays a few seconds then halts. Progress bar only goes about 1/4 the length of the video; you can't skip ahead. Refresh the page: Video format or MIME type is not supported.

Currently using 4chan X 1.13.8.6,  v1.13.9.3 was just released.
Open https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ccd0/4chan-x/1.13.9.2/builds/4chan-X-noupdate.user.js
(ends in 2 not 3?, installing anyway)

Close, restart. Confirm script version, and that its running. Open that same test webm. Same problem.

2017.11.20
Mostly just worked around above problems.
Firefox Quantum (57.0) installed, not sure if its coincidence but LastPass won't remember its password anymore, even if boxes checked.
Checking other extensions... Greasemonkey is active, No user scripts installed. uBlock Origin seems fine. Extensions that don't 'meet current Firefox standards' are Enhanced Middle Click and NoScript.

https://noscript.net/
"2017-11-14: We're working hard to make NoScript for Quantum available to you as soon as possible, definitely by the end of this week."
I'll just have to be extra careful til then.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/middle-click-on-page-close-tab/
restart
Not a lot of users or reviews... but seems OK.

https://github.com/ccd0/4chan-x
https://www.4chan-x.net/
Release 4chan X v1.13.14.10.
restart
not installed?

disable uBlock, try again, no.

disable all extensions but Greasemonkey, restart (not sure if I need to, but why take a chance). disable themes too. and remove legacy extensions (Enhanced Middle Click, NoScript). keep media plugins.

https://www.4chan-x.net/builds/4chan-X.user.js
goes to a blank page

try a clean profile.
run firefox.exe -p
create 'test 4chan-x' (allow default loc \AppData\Roaming\Mozilla...)
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/greasemonkey/
install
https://www.4chan-x.net/builds/4chan-X.user.js
install
goes back to https://www.4chan-x.net/ immediately (as if I had hit back button).
close + restart
under Greasemonkey icon, 4chan X is now listed! test on 4chan.net, seems to be working.
install uBlock. script still works.

now what? prob just start a new profile, import bookmarks, delete old.

2017.11.22
NoScript for new FireFox is out.

2017.12.01
Having trouble loading some sites, can't figure out if its uBlock or NoScript at fault.

2017.12.05
Export FF bookmarks.
firefox.exe -profilemanager
Delete profiles
Create profile
Choose folder (not in C:\Users\{Z}\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles)
Tools -> Add-ons. Greasemonkey.
https://www.4chan-x.net/builds/4chan-X.user.js
close. start.
under Greasemonkey tab exists 4chan X.click it, says Enabled.
go 4chan, preferences pops up.
check my settings at {\personal\software\win32\comm\Firefox\extension\4chanX\ccd0}... i'll just leave default for now.
desktop notificiations... authorize, for now. Allow. Just trying all defaults to start.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/. Add.
close. start.

2017.12.11
Greasemonkey+4chanX seem to be working just fine.
Firefox Customize -> Toolbars click Menu and Bookmarks
Bookmarks -> Show all, Import and Backup -> Restore
(just going with this now, add more later)

2018.01.10
Its still behaving, add LastPass
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/lastpass-password-manager/
Reviews are mixed on the new Firefox, but this is the password manager blessed by Security Now, and it has pre internet encryption so going with this one.
I'm going with remember email and remember password for now, because no one else has access to this computer physically, and as far as I know its safe online, unless I hear otherwise.
Tools -> Options -> Privacy & Security. Uncheck Remember logins and passwords for websites
While I'm here.... uncheck Firefox Data Collection and Use.
Close FF, reopen. LastPass auto logged in, OK.

change phone from Galaxy Nexus to Samsung Galaxy S4

2016.09.30
Not a big upgrade, but the price is right.

Two day shipping, its there Friday evening when I get home. Unbox, photograph, plug in to charger.

Later, turn it on for first time.
English, Next. Setup Wizard, Phone activation.
Only thing I can do now is use Wi-Fi or make an emergency call.
Skip through as much set up as can.

note some values:
{see Google doc "phone SCH-I545 2016.09.30-"}

Check IMEI on Verizon site: "Success! Your Samsung Galaxy S® 4 in Black Mist works on the Verizon network.".

Is there any point to resetting the phone? If there was something evil on this phone from the previous user, would it be removed? A quick search revels the self reset in Settings doesn't do much to the system, just the user.

Went to a Verizon store, got sim installed.

2016.10.01
Backup Google accounts using Takeout.

Backup and reset
Factory data reset
Reset phone
Delete all {10p... reboots, Android icon 'erasing', reboot, Verizon checkmark logo ... 10:02p ... 10:03p Setup Wizard}

Setup Wizard
Language English
"The SIM card has already been activated", Your phone number is ...
Sync your contacts with Verizon UNCHECK, Next
"Gmail setup is in a later step." Skip
Software update, checking, {seems to do nothing, next step...}
Tap & Go, Skip
Add your account, Google, Enter your email, password {OK}
Just a sec...
Get your apps & data
Restore from this backup, includes apps, app data, system settings, and Wi-Fi passwords.
   Galaxy Nexus Last used 1 day ago
Also include
   All apps 37
Next {why not, let's see what happens, i can always reset}
Google services {UNCHECK all of these}
   Back up your phone's apps, app data, settings, and Wi-Fi passwords
   Use Google's location service
   Help improve location services
   Help improve your Android experience
{unchecked all} Next
Setup Wizard
My Verizon Mobile
   In-Store View Terms & Conditions
      Not Now
Done
Samsung account
   Skip
Protect your phone, You will not be able to prevent other people from using your phone when it is lost or stolen...
   No
Protect your phone, You can always turn on Reactivation lock...

2017.01.27
I got the phone just set up enough to use, started using it, stopped changing it. Only recently did I even bother adding something simple like ringtones. Lately the phone has been acting flakey, and now its offering a system update, so let's see what happens.
Current version = Android 5.0.1
Settings -> System Updates, install.
Version is still 5.0.1.

2018.05.16
Frequent error messages and need to restart.
Usually something about the SIM being missing. Then there's this one:
"Global network Switching to Global Mode."
which seems more benign.

2018.07.07
Got a new Google Pixel 2 XL, time to move out of here permanently.

The mobile account was moved to the new phone yesterday, so its time to move photos, take any screenshots desired, reset, power off, and put away.

Transfer photos. While phone still mounted on PC, go through dirs, copy to Z:\. Basically just the download folder, which is probably all garbage but why sort through it now, screenshots and ringtones. The only thing left I might want to save on this phone are the messages, if it can be done easily.

It would be nice if Google could just do this, but it looks like a third party app is how its down. "SMS Backup+" or "SMS Backup & Restore"? How to decide which to trust? I'll go with SMS Backup+.

Why is my Google backup account set to Yahoo? Changed to Outlook.

I really don't use apps all that much, because seeing some of these permissions make me queasy. Why do I want some third party app to be allowed to do anything it wants to my email? I know, I should really just relax.

Backup all messages. Backing up #/2709 items.

MacBook Pro (2006) shutting itself off

2016.06.06
My venerable MacBook Pro "Core Duo" 2.16 15" has been working fine for most of its 10 year life. The display developed gray blotches, got it replaced, blotches came back, learned to just live with it. The battery held less and less of a charge until now it holds almost none. Pull out the AC power and it will shut itself off quickly. But now its getting more serious - its shutting itself off soon after boot, even though the power cable is clearly plugged in and green.

test1
bong, gray apple, login screen, login, desktop loads, open iTunes, download new podcasts... last time it shut down at this point... uptime of at least 7 minutes and all is well.
plug in ipod shuffle, add new, eject.
at least 20 minutes now and nothing.
well, that happens. i'll probably be back here soon.

2016.06.21
Due to the nature of intermittent problems, I'm not surprised nothing much happened for a few weeks. There were a few instances were maybe it powered off on sleep, or maybe I powered it of and forgot to close the lid. Because I often use online apps on this laptop (Google Drive or blogs) if something exits without saving I might never know. Chalk up another confirmed, it did it while I had my attention away for only a few minutes.

2016.06.24
In screen saver mode for a few minutes, shut itself off.

2016.07.07
Sometimes it shuts itself off, sometimes it stays on for a few days. Usually its when it goes to sleep and/or I close the lid, I'll try to wake it up and find its off. I've tried turning off the screen saver, which seems to help, then I turned off power management, not sure if that helped with frequency. Just now, it shut off mid-sentence while I was typing in a Google doc.

It needs saying that this is a 10 year old computer, and not just a computer, but a laptop. The battery has never been changed - it stopped being a battery a long time ago (years?), and can only run on AC power.

I think this is the longest I've ever used a single machine. I've more than depreciated it, and would happily keep using it, but I think its usable lifespan is almost over.

2016.07.10
left it on, close lid, come back days later - session still there!

2016.09.19
Its getting really bad now, sometimes it won't even stay on long enough for me to login, let alone finish an iTunes download and syncing session.

client laptop purchase: mid-range

Research for a client:


For $100 less ($499) you can get a very similar model from Asus: F555LA-EH51 i5-5200U 8gb 1tb 5400rpm 15.6" 1366x768 [3]. Or for about the same price ($579) as that Dell get an even faster CPU: Asus F555UA-EH71 i7-6500U 8gb 1tb 5400rpm 15.6" 1366x768 [4].

Compare to that base Dell model, for an extra $150 (to $749) you could move up to the 7000 Series 15" Intel i5-6200u, 8gb RAM, 256g SSD, 15.6" FHD(1920x1080) 2-in-1 Touch (folds into a tablet) [5]. Same CPU and RAM, but better resolution and much faster disk, if you don't need all that extra room.

There exists a strange compromise that should be noted, an Asus with less power but with high-res screen for only $369. Its the Asus F555LA-AB31 (i3, 4gb, 500gb hdd, 1920x1080) [6]. That's a great price-point if that mix works for you, and you can see why its "#1 Best Seller" on Amazon. I think it would make a great second computer (travel laptop, tv room laptop), but not so much as a primary machine, unless your needs were really minimal.

---
links:
[1] http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/laptop-brand-ratings
Amazon
[2] http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-5559-laptop/pd?oc=fncwv2310s&model_id=inspiron-15-5559-laptop
[3] http://www.amazon.com/F555LA-EH51-Intel-Laptop-Windows-64bit/dp/B015790WNI
[4] http://www.amazon.com/F555UA-EH71-Intel-Laptop-Windows-64bit/dp/B014LE6A6I/
[5] http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15-7568-laptop/pd?oc=dncwa005s&model_id=inspiron-15-7568-laptop
[6] http://www.amazon.com/F555LA-AB31-15-6-inch-Full-HD-Laptop-Windows/dp/B011KFQASE