new hardware: 7060 + 3050

2025.04.30

This I've been trying to research the best new machine to replace my always ailing never dying 730x.

I missed the last great GPU sale (Black Friday) before the next big release of 2025, prices went crazy, and I consider myself reasonably priced out of the market.

So instead I take a half step, which for me is still a great big step, with a 5 year old refurb office box, slap the best recent low power GPU into it, and I've got a Windows 10 box for the rest of the year. Not sure what happens when Windows 10 support stops, but considering I spent 5 years in support expired Windows 7 I'm not concerned.

Once I move all my data forward, I'll be fine until prices get reasonable.

Just a quick check at MicroCenter...

9800x3d out of stock, was $479.99,

9070 xt out of stock, was $700-800 depending on brand

By the time you add in a decent motherboard, ram, nvme, etc. we're getting near $2k.

And that's without a monitor. If I'm building a high end 1440p machine, might as well go OLED, so there's another $1k - which is not the GPUs fault, actually OLED prices are only getting better - but it was getting to be a huge bottleneck to just upgrade my computer.

Better to move forward on Windows (7 -> 10), data storage (hdd -> ssd), and working on a better backup policy for now.

Microsoft 365 subscription stopped working

2021.07.25 signed up for Microsoft 365 Personal, monthly.

worked fine. recently getting message:

Your subscription has expired

ok, so Sign In

Office has been updated. Please restart... Close. exit app, start.

Still says at top "Excel (Unlicensed Product)"

Look at account:

Your subscription has expired

The version of Office to which you are subscribed has been deprovisioned. This product is unlicensed.

more... end up at: Windows 7 end of support and Office

Looks like I need Windows 10, but this is out of nowhere, I thought I had 2 more years.

But... I start up Word, and it works fine. The account screen has no problems on it, seems totally normal.

Uninstall Excel, can't uninstall individually, uninstall Microsoft Office 365. Restart. Microsoft.com, Subscriptions, Microsoft 365 Personal, Install, Office - Default version (default), mobile apps Skip.

Start Word, looks good. Start Excel, also looks good.

That's it? Just a re-install?

Windows: move files while preserving attributes

How to move files in Windows while preserving attributes? Can you preserve them all, or at least all the important ones? What are the important ones? What attributes can be preserved for files compared to directories?

What can be known about a files date attributes:
* Date created
* Date modified
* Date accessed
* Date last saved

Methods of copying:
* simple copy/move in explorer
* RAR up and extract at destination
* robocopy

Copy file
Updates Created and Accessed to current, preserves Modified.

new phone: Google Pixel 2 XL

Got a new Google Pixel 2 XL yesterday.
The flag has already been transferred from my old phone, time to decommission it.

This is a good time to do a full backup on Google Takeout.

Copying (private) details to Google Doc "phone Pixel 2 XL 2018.07.06-"

Verify that my account is unchanged on verizonwireless.com:
Google Pixel 2 XL 64GB in Just Black
64 GB Just Black
NATIONWIDE TALK 450 plan
Unlimited Data

Let's take inventory of the physical stuff:
phone & box it came in
box label: Pixel 2 XL 6" 64GB Just Black, Model G011C, IMEI #, SIM ID #, etc.
some cables. some small documents.
'Let's get started' says box includes: Pixel, SIM tool, Power adapter, Quick Switch Adapter, USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone adapter, USB-C cable. I see its all here except for the sim tool. Maybe Verizon keeps it?

I can't easily get the phone out of the Otter box, and its got that glass shield on it. I don't want to risk ruining it, I'll leave it for later.

Peripherals.
OtterBox Symmetry (applied to phone at store)
Invisible Shield glass curve (applied to phone at store)
Verizon car charger

Back to the phone. No login or code required (yet). I want to plug it into computer so its closer, but I no combination of these provided adapters will do it. Maybe later.

Message:
Pixel Setup
Pixel 2 XL setup isn't done
Transfer data, add Google Account, and more
click it, Just a sec...
connect to Wi-Fi
Let's copy your data, Next, User your old phone, Next, Find your old phone's cable - ok, not playing along with this anymore.
Bring your data from... A backup from the cloud.
No backups found, Next.
Unlock with Pixel Imprint, Skip.
Teach the Assistant to recognize your voice.
Let the Assistant use what's on your screen, turn off, Next. get email ok.

I see calendar and email notifications.

Chrome, turn off Sync everything, uncheck Passwords.

...use during day, with every new app used i get asked if i want to allow this, or i want to learn more about that - who knows what the heck i signed my soul away to just so i could move forward, or what knew functions i dismissed because i didn't have the time to pay attention to them.

One frustrating thing is not being able to download apps because its waiting for Wi-Fi, even when I told it not to mind and use mobile data.

Settings, System, System update, Updated to Android 8.1.0.
update, restart,

This thing goes to sleep very quickly. Plug in power, got lots of apps to update. Updating apps seems to fight with updating system, even with Wi-Fi on. Suspend app update, system moving forward again.

Long update (minutes). Restart. Check system, Security update installing... same one as before, or a new update? Doesn't say. Another restart.

Your system is up to date 8.1.0. June 5.

BringGo downloaded. Login... no account. Reset. How does it remember Chase visa!? Add new account... purchase.

Require authentication for purchases?
Yes, always.

2018.07.08
Pixel Setup, Tap to finish, Start, Don't Copy, Don't Copy, Account added (it already was) Next, Unlock? skip, screen lock skip, Back up to Google Drive, Turn off backup? OK, Make it yours No Thanks, One last tip All Set.

Keeping everything minimal then adding functions later.

2018.07.15
Getting used to the phone (its huge). How to transfer files to computer without USB-C to USB2 cable? Might as well try Backup & Sync (unlimited thru 2021?)
Click checkbox to use cellular when no Wi-Fi. I select this option whenever possible (because unlimited) but in general I am having a tough time getting the phone to believe I really mean that and just use as much cellular as you want.
Backing up 185 photos... Backup complete Free up 787MB from device? Interesting, I'm curious to compare how files differ via backup or cable (timestamps, etc.?)

Smart Storage is set to delete backed up files after 60 days. I'd rather verify my files are on my computer myself before deletion, turn that off.

Turn Google Drive backup on in system settings; choose backup account (my gmail). So where are my photos being backed up to... not Google Drive... its on photos.google.com. I wonder whatever happened to Picasa, because I keep seeing albums from then.

On photos.google.com, Keep Off personalized features for now (its trying to do a whole bunch of facial recognition). And now its offering my computer an uploader to add photos. Not yet.

2018.10.07
Been living with it, been getting used to it, need to go further.
Got a USB3 to A to C cable.
Connect phone to computer (win7), in Explorer now see Portable Devices : Pixel 2 XL Mobile Phone. Get properties, interesting there is a serial number there I haven't seen yet - maybe its for the cable? Look inside... no data! Do I need to tell the phone something?
Settings -> Connected Devices -> USB, change from Charge this device to Transfer files.
That's more like it, now shows Internal shared storage (40.5 GB free of 51.9 GB), and all the usual folders (though a lot less then previous Samsung phone).

Restored ringtones. Backup photos - could I possibly ever need these thumbnails? It's only 80mb... The actual photos and video is 4.5gb. The size matches down to the byte, but sadly I can't match my local checksum to what's on the phone. I'll just have to take its word for it, spot check as many files as I can before deletion.

Do I need to delete? If I'm generating about a gig of media a month, I might as well get in the habit now.

2018.10.08
How to copy MVIMG files? I don't really want this feature, but I'd like the option of having the files now and deciding later. How do I even play back these files locally? They seem to play on photos.google.com OK, but is there even a local player?

Looks like Motion Photos only play in Google photos or Android. They seem to contain an MP4, but most things will only see a large JPG.

As a test to see if I have all the data of this kind of file, I upload a mvimg that I have copied from USB to Photos, size Original. It plays. So I will continue to trust that USB copy is a true backup.

How to bulk delete?

2018.10.19
Upgrade to Android 9. And now the clock is on the other side. Another update. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are now set to scan even when off. Shut off both. Another restart. And another update, restart, done.

2018.11.01
Install LastPass. Login, sends email with unique identifier.
Autofill service, change from None to LastPass.
Unlock LastPass with your fingerprint, skip.
60 day premium trial ended - I don't think I need that.
Install Pandora Music, Stitcher, SiriusXM (to test in the Sonic).

How to change voice mail from default (on phone/on Verizon?) to Google Voice? It seems to still be set up for this phone number. Try turning it off and back on. Now to test...

2018.11.07
USB-C port no working!? Is it is just the dongle to stereo, is it the charger too... later, plug in, works, cuts out jiggle dongle, works again. Is it just the dongle that's loose, power cables seem better seated.

Plug into Windows, charging but USB connection not visible.

2018.11.09
Maybe developer mode will help. Tap build number 7 times. In settings, I see no new entry for Developer Mode, oh its under System Developer options.
I'll try stay awake while charging, I'm tired of this thing going to sleep every 5 seconds while I'm looking at it.
Change default USB configuration to File Transfer.

2020.10.01

phone won't start; gets to logo and shuts off.

Because it was charging all night I thought maybe it was dying, but putting it on a charger seems to indicate its not charged.

The USB-C port has been an increasing problem - or all my usb-c cables keep dying. You definitely have to reseat and push the cable to one side a lot to keep it charging. And there have been nights where it was on the charger but by morning you can tell it stopped charging at some point.
...OK, it had just lost charge. I should probably use a dust plug in the usb-c port.

2021.01.04 some time last year usb-c data connection stopped working. then usb-c charging became intermittent (sometimes not charging, sometimes causing shutdown)

remove from case for first time since i got it (see iPad for pic) SKIP FOR NOW

2021.09.27 i cleaned out some gunk with a needle and aircan, worked fine for most of 2021, now phone is not charging again.

while on, insert usb-c power, no indication its charging, loses charge.

while off, shows charging symbol, white line advances across the top of the screen, then goes dark (is it charging?)

something new just happened, on plugin there was a horizontal charging symbol in red, then it went green, then it went back to the b&w vertical charging symbol.

yesterday the phone would charge some in the car charger.

charge for ~hour, won't start. try hold power button down, ~14 seconds, red dot in upper right corner (that's new), keeps trying to boot and going back to red charger symbol. unplug. goes dark.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/7qftet/og_pixel_xl_usb_c_to_usb_c_not_charging_since/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/7z9gai/og_pixel_xl_charging_issues_after_81_update/

https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/83jefv/google_pixel_usb_c_to_c_suddenly_not_charging/

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-2-xl/help/3-5mm-to-usb-c-adapter-detected-t3804708
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-extending-two-year-warranty-pixel-2-and-pixel-2-xl

!TO-DO
!replace screen protector
load my music onto phone (convert my wav to mp3? will it convert)
get bluetooth earphone. try music, podcasts.
find out why BringGo not working consistently.
take tour of phone / watch videos, etc
longer password / try fingerprint

!SETTINGS PROFILE
noting setting changes:
Smart Storage On -> Off
Settings -> System -> Backup: Back up to Google Drive Off -> On

2022.06.03 still using Pixel 2XL; it just keeps refusing to die. this summer it will be 4 years. i've been eyeing the 6, but now the 7 is almost here.

note to future self: keep my info in Google Docs. only tech issues in this blog.

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

clean install Windows 7

I want to reinstall Windows 7 on a laptop, and I want to do it clean.

It is a Dell XPS 15 L502X, that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Home Premium. Why can't it just say if its 32 or 64 bit right in the name? Control Panel, System, System type = 64-bit.

It is changing owners now, so its a good time to wipe + reinstall, and as far as I know its been running with the same install for 5 years, so even more reason to wipe + reinstall. I need install media, and I need a key.

Can I just get the key out of the already installed system, or do I need to go elsewhere (a sticker on the machine, an invoice, etc.)? System says its activated and the product ID number - is that the key? Don't think so. There's a sticker under laptop. Shutdown, flip, copy alphanumeric sequence.

As for media, the best case scenario would be an install partition on the laptop. The disk is 500gb, and the partition visible is C: of size 450, so maybe. Boot Options (F12), There is Diagnostics partition, but no utility or anything else.

In previous install, I noted a to-do to make recovery disks - I don't think I did, in any case they are gone. Will it still let me make recovery disks? Will they be clean install disks, or an image of the current system (unacceptable)?

I should have checked Disk Management first, there are 3 partions, one with a 100 mb, a recovery parti of 15gb, and another parti for C: of 450gb. So how to do I use it. Run Dell DataSafe Local Backup-Basic Edition. The basic edition can create recovery media, restore to factory state, etc. I'll do both.

In Dell DataSafe, Backup, Create Recovery Media, discs or usb. Select disc, Preparing, at 0% (~310pm, 318pm 47% - so slow is it making ISOs), ~322pm Insert blank recordable disk now..., insert dvd-r blank, total size 8.2gb. Number required 3. USB flash drives are cheap, but why tie one up. Even better would be to just give me the ISOs, and I'll copy them to a disk archive somewhere. Or an ISO (if that's the right term) of the USB version.

Verifying at 73%, error message, D:\ This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action, OK. Seems to be OK, but staying at 73% (342pm). At 348p, the disk just ejects itself, and asks for disc 2. 355pm asks for disk3, ejects 418pm.

Making DVD restore discs cost an hour.

I still want to try creating the USB option, and I have a blank 16gb handy, formatted blank NTFS. It wants at least 9gb. Start creation at 423pm, finish at 444pm, 1/3 of the time as DVD (on usb2, presumably).

bootable usb for spinrite

Goal: run Spinrite on new Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Series (sata hd) using usb flash drive.

Make bootable usb flash drive using sandisk adapter with a memory card.
Get HP USB Disk Format Tool (from extremeoverclocking.com, see links at end), run SP27608.exe, extracts HPUSBF.EXE and HPUSBFW.EXE to a dir.
Run HPUSBFW.EXE, select i:, FAT32, check Quick Format, check Create a DOS startup disk,
Also downloaded and extracted win98boot.zip, feed it that dir
Start
error: Device media is write-protected.
This drive is really old anyway, find a newer one for better compatibility all around.

Got a recent usb stick (16gb, usb2). Repeat as above,
error: Device media is write-protected.
Uncheck Quick, same.
Uncheck startup, same.
Use Windows Explorer to format, Quick. Several seconds, format complete, disk looks ok.
Try HP Util again. This time it seems to be working. Oops - forgot to check Quick, its doing a slow format. Afraid to interrupt, don't want to brick the drive, takes an hour.
Trying again, with quick and startup files, goes much faster.
Copy over spinrite.exe.
Insert in Dell, have to change UEFI to Legacy, it boots, can run spinrite, but it has a problem fully seeing the disk through UEFI. stop.

at least it seems like the bootable usb worked.

later, tried it on a Dell XPS 15 L502X, ok.
tried it on Dell XPS 720..., ok.


---
https://www.grc.com/sr/faq.htm
http://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-windows-10-usb-installation
http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=197

iTunes has stopped working

"iTunes has stopped working" - that's funny, when did it ever start working (ha ha ha). iTunes, which has now caused more man-hours of computer suffering than all of Windows combined, is currently crashing immediately upon open. Show details: APPCRASH, 11.2.2.3, etc., Close, Close, its gone. Let's go to the Googles.

Of course, many people have tried uninstalling and reinstalling, even going so far as to uninstall and reinstall all Apple software, but that doesn't seem to usually fix the problem, so I'm not even going there.

First action I can try is to copy QTMovieWin.dll from one dir to another, nope.

Next, try remove iTunes Preference files from:
c:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunesPrefs.xml
c:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunesPrefs.xml
one at time. I copy them to d:\tmp first.
Trying C:\Users\zbekesi\AppData\Local\Apple Computer\iTunes first. Start iTunes, get message Bonjour disabled, iTunes is open, and stays open, and notifies of update. I wonder if my podcasts are OK, but not in list view, I notice its downloading podcasts, to I go to the download viewer, and crash. Restart, turn on sidebar, ok. Starts downloading again, check download screen again it crashes. Restart iTunes, its gone back to crashing immediately again.
Let's try the other prefs file in C:\Users\zbekesi\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunesPrefs.xml. Let's just remove both, copying the other one to /tmp also.
Now on startup I'm show the license agreement to agree to, Bonjour disabled, share library? no, default view, offer to update iTunes to 12.1.2. What the heck, let's just do that. If I have to reformat my iPod Shuffle, I don't care. My iPad is far gone beyond syncing it doesn't matter anymore.
Apple Software Update, yes to iTunes 12.3.1 (huh, iTunes said 12.1.2), no to iCloud for Windows (as if).
I wouldn't even contemplate this if my years of podcast downloads weren't backed up, so risk is minimal.

Nobody expects to suddenly be taxed with an hour spent trying to fix iTunes.

This just keeps getting worse. Apple Software Update craps out with: "iTunes" has an invalid signature. It will not be installed.
Let's go to manual dl. Run it, it protests that iTunes is running! Start up taskmgr, and yep, iTunes still running. Kill that, and helper, run iTunes6464Setup.exe again, no error message this time. Uncheck every option.
Why is this taking so long, I recently installed mySQL faster than this.
Finally. Let's delete those iTunes prefs again, just in case.
Similar startup, update VoiceOver. Podcast library looks intact, but a quick check reveals some podcast settings have changed. Plug in shuffle, seems to sync ok. Let's fix settings.
For each podcast, click on Settings, should be:
Limit Episodes Off
Download Episodes On
Delete Played Episodes Off
All together found two that had Limit Episodes set to Most Recent. Not a lot, but why did it change any?
Oh for fucks sake where is the sync button - off all the things to change, why remove that?! A quick look online, there are whole articles dedicated to the latest iTunes screwups.
I've already lost an hour I didn't budget for on this, I'm going to just reload my iPod for the day and revisit this later. Maybe I just need abandon this and go back to iTunes on my Mac, and maintain separate archives again.
Fucking iTunes.

You've got to be fucking kidding me. Another half hour, and I've barely got a few podcasts synced, and now a new problem, when you click on the little checkbox next to a podcast so it will sync, it isn't checked but the one above it is. And you can't unselect it now. Is this the mouse or iTunes?
At least when I search for this, other people have had this problem too, and in iTunes 12. Unfortunately, not many people have had this problem, so there is no ready solution.
Upgrading iTunes equals regret every time, what was I thinking.

It's worse than I can't even check the boxes I want, the sync button does nothing, it even unchecks what I checked.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6745117

Nobody suggest this, but I'll try resetting the iPod; at least its something easy I can try. Nope, won't synch. You check off a podcast, hit sync, it seems to start going through the motions but nothing transfers, it unchecks what you checked.

Another easy experiment: let's try it on a Mac with iTunes 11. It works. At least I can use my iPod again.

I'm just going to leave it like this until I can reinstall, and if so, reinstall 11. Checking the software archive to see if I even have a copy of 11... yes. Can I get older versions directly from Apple? Yes: https://support.apple.com/downloads/itunes. Thank you for not hiding those, Apple.

2016.03.06

Its been long enough that I've mostly forgotten the suffering that is iTunes, and I'm willing to try and move it all back to the PC again.
Update PC iTunes to current (12.3.2) - really, iTunes, you need to restart Windows? Really.
After restart insert shuffle - long pause, finally detected. You can't click on the device in the side pane. You can click on sub-items, but not on it. Its formatted to the Mac iTunes, but it can read what's on there.
OK, click on ipod icon up top, now you can see the summary page. Let's do Restore iPod. So close, so close... then fail. You can't check or uncheck boxes even slightly consistently. If it was just askew that would be fine, but it just doesn't work at all.
google 'itunes can't uncheck podcast'

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6745117?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6838130?start=0&tstart=0
https://discussions.apple.com/message/27590799#27590799
This problem has been going on for over a year.

There seem to be some incidents going much further back, if its the same problem.

It doesn't seem to be a very common problem, only affecting hundreds of people (willing to complain online), so maybe just keeps going unnoticed.

One proposed workaround is to go to view podcasts, then drag individual podcasts over to the the device on the left. Seems to work, let's test.

It kind of works, but its actually less hassle to maintain two different iTunes, one for listening, one for backup.

2016.09.19
MacBook failing, so going back to main PC to use iTunes. I still have some of the above problems, particularly you can select a specific episode of a podcast to listen to, or rather you can but when you sync it becomes unchecked and no transfer takes place. What you can do is Sync Podcasts, Automatically include all unplayed episodes of selected podcasts. That at least will transfer.

2016.12.15
Going to try and go 1 machine 1 library multiple devices (again).
Update iTunes to latest: 12.5.4.42
Using my old nearly dead green Shuffle, Restore iPod.
Try and sync some specific podcasts, the hitboxes are still messed up. With some trial and error, get some podcasts synced.
Let's check the googles once more. Finally, some interesting ideas: make sure font scaling is 100. I've been using 125, and I've had nothing but weirdness from Chrome, but I've been dealing with it.
Wow - that was it.
Something so simple is usually the cause of such stupidity. Mine, iTunes, or Windows, I don't care anymore, it just works now.

mouse over-clicking

My mouse randomly double-clicks on select. Just enough to make you slowly lose your mind. In a small coincidence, I have a client with a similar random mouse problem, in that it just won't click. I recommend her to unplug and replug, and it helps for a little while (days, weeks), but it doesn't help my overclicking problem.

My client's underclicking is happening less often, but has been going on for a little while, my overclicking problem seems to have started right after the last big Windows 7 update (my client is also on win7).

Google "mouse keeps double clicking". That overlaps too many other problems, refine to "mouse randomly double clicking". Doesn't look promising, further refine to "mouse randomly double clicking explorer".

Maybe a Logitech issue?
[ http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2147282/mouse-double-clicking-single-clicking.html ].

I think I already tried this a while ago, but I have another mouse nearby, unfortunately also Logitech, but at least its different. This mouse is so small I'm getting instant hand cramps. But at least its something different to test with.

2015.11.12
Some time later, I have the large Logitech mouse that is more comfortable to use, but overclicks, so I have a small Logitech mouse also connected for when its acting up. I try to minimize using it, as it is too small for my hand.
I'm playing a game, GTA 5, I use either mouse, no problem ever. This overclicking problem seems to happen in Windows and desktop apps mostly.

browsers don't matter right now

Sometimes one browser is better than the others, usually based on speed. Now is not one of those times.

Which has nothing to do with the fact that I've been keeping my Firefox profile on an encrypted volume, and I've long since forgotten why. Because I could? Now that volume is filling up, and I'm trying out LastPass, so I'm moving Firefox back to C. Might as well make a clean break of it, and leave everything behind. I exported my bookmarks, but I won't be importing them to the next install. Let's see where we go from a clean break.

Move
Z:\Z\firefox\_backups,discards,reinstall
to
Z:\Z\personal\net\bookmarks\Firefox

Delete
Z:\Z\firefox

install
Firefox Setup 37.0.exe

first stop: NoScript
https://noscript.net/
Install, Allow, Install Now

and the award for the worst software ever goes to.... iTunes

(user suffering) * (number of users) * (time) = iTunes is the worst software ever.

uninstall Swarm, Foursquare

I've been checking in less and less over time, but the new Swarm app, which forked off of Foursquare, brings things to a hard stop. Might as well uninstall Yelp too, while I'm at it. I once thought to coordinate check-ins with reviews, and create a history, but that's never taken off, while creating my own food blog has (for me).

Also, Google check-in disappeared during a recent update, so the only thing left is Facebook. Which is fine if I every really have to check in again. Which I don't.

Hotmail / Live account problem: locked out

My hotmail account is my public email, used for many years as a spam catcher. Once gmail anti-spam proved reliable, I didn't really need it for that anymore, but it kept going on inertia, and I like having a public vs private email (though they're really both public). Have I properly justified 'still' having a hotmail account yet?

I was doing something in hotmail and noticed my time zone was still set for California time, so I decide to update. I was promptly locked out of my account because "You need a parent's permission". My account was not a child account, but now suddenly live.com thinks it is. As there was no parent account, there is no way for me to log in and fix this.

Here's the text of the error message (when I tried it in IE):
[window name] Child consent
[url] https://account.live.com/ChildConsent/ChildLanding?ru=https://login.live.com/...
[text] Microsoft account
[text] You need a parent's permission
[text] Before you can sign in to this Microsoft account and use it with Microsoft websites and services, you need a parent's permission. If your parent is available now, ask them to sign in to this PC.
[button] Have a parent sign in
[button] Cancel

Let's try the simplest, and click "Have a parent sign in", but I'll just sign in the same account. Comes back to the first error message "You need a parent's permission".
Cancel
get a new message, variation of the first:
Microsoft account
You still need a parent's permission
Your Microsoft account has been created, but you can't use it without a parent's permission.
You can sign in later to get back to the permission request page.
OK
takes you back to Sign in screen.


Let's try "Can't access your account?"
takes you to "Reset your password". Obviously not what I want, but I did it, and my password did reset, and it works, but I still have the parental permission problem.

Let's try something simple, like logging in with live instead of hotmail, i.e. zbekesi@live.com
nope:
"That Microsoft account doesn't exist. Enter a different email address or get a new account."

All of the above was on Windows 7, using variously Firefox, Chrome, and IE. Let's try the Outlook app on Android. It has a popup "Sign in incorrect" and "Update Account" - of course, the password has changed. I give it "zbekesi@hotmail.com" and the current password. I get the message:
Microsoft account
We were unable to sign you in
Sorry, you must be an adult to do this.
OK
the, a popup:
Authentication failed
Authentication was not successful
Try again

I try "can't access your account", but all it has to offer is visit account.live.com/password/reset, which I've already tried.

Curiously enough, I can still access whatever old email I've already downloaded. I try various things in "Account settings", but nothing seems relevant.

I sent myself some system logs from the app, but there doesn't seem to be anything useful therein.

I've tried everything I could think of, for now, so let's move on to the "Help Center". I follow what seems to be the most logical path of links: "Sign-in and sign-up", "Forgotten password or other problems signing in", "Troubleshoot your sign-in problem", "Run the Microsoft Accounts troubleshooter". IE asks "Do you want to open or save microsoftaccountdiagnostic.diagcab...". I'm not comfortable with this approach, but hey, its Microsoft, right? What could go wrong? Open. I get a popup:
Microsoft Accounts
Find and fix problems...
Next
Detecting problems.

"Sorry, this troubleshooter doesn't work with this version of Windows."
"We disabled this troubleshooter because it won't work on this PC."

Like I said, its Microsoft. I was expecting something like this, so I'm not even mad or disappointed.
Next
"Explore additional options"
takes me to a Control Panel under Troubleshooting, Additional Information, which basically tells you to go search the forums for help. Normally I would have gone to the forums sooner, but I wanted to see what a user might go through.


Let's search for "hotmail parental consent"
At Major Geeks there is a thread with what sounds like this very same problem. Someone recommends going to "accountservices.passport.net", but it can't be displayed. I vaguely remember something about passport, some Microsoft service that came and went, its of no help now. This thread is from 2006, no wonder. Interesting, the person with the problem was challenged with a credit card to prove they are an adult - if this method still exists and I can find it that could be a quick solution. Another person says they will charge or put a hold on $1, but he says contact MSN support, another service which probably doesn't exist. There is a link, but it just takes you to the top of the MSN Support tree. It would be nice to see that old post, checking Google cache, no go, its got robots.txt. Checking other results... actually, this is a dead end. I was hoping this was a specific forum page, but its more like a starting point.

Might as well try that MSN Support page while I'm here. Actually, nothing really here that's revelant, but I'll see if I can log into "My Microsoft Billing Account". I can sign in, but I go straight back to the old "You need a parent's permission" problem. Back to the forums.

Back to the previous spot, they recommend a link on InfoWorld. It's gone. Check cache. It's not in Google cache, but it is in web.archive.org. OK, they had the same problem, but they hacked Passport to resolve it. Not something I could/would do.

Another similar incident on Virtual Dr., in 2005. No solution. Another one on Just Answer, from 3 years ago, recommends logging in with the Parent account, which is the problem in the first place.

Search again for hotmail parental consent, but take the quotation marks off. Ah, finally something on answers.microsoft.com, and its recent. Unfortunately, the person asking for help already has parent and child accounts; they just want to change the child account to non-child. They recommend starting at fss.live.com, so I might as well try that. Nope, it takes me straight to "You need a parent's permission", as I'm still logged in. How about logout then go to fss... nope, same error message. Nothing really relevant here, its mostly about granting permissions for a child account after you log in, and I can't even log in.

Something disturbing on CNET, that when Microsoft complied with some federal law to protect children, some Hotmail users got locked out, and lost there accounts permanently. The article is from 2000.

Another page on Just Answer, someone accidentally set their birthday too low and now can't get back in, that's close enough to my problem. The first recommendation is to password reset - that is not relevant. But the next recommendation is phone numbers:
1-866-672-4551
1-800-386-5550
It might yet come to this, actual interaction with a human, but for a free service I have little hope. There was a time when I paid for Hotmail Plus service, which probably had live human support, but that was back in the mid 2000s. The service is probably gone, and I'm not subscribed to it anyway.
There is a link to a Validation Page, but it doesn't work.

I have Windows Live Mail 2011 installed, might as well try it. Start it up, fails on old passwords (as expected), update to new passwords.

"You need to get permission from an adult before you can sign in here."
OK

and in another popup:
Unable to send or receive messages for the Hotmail (zbekesi) account.
Server Error: 3204
Server: 'https://mail.services.live.com/DeltaSync_v2.0.0/Sync.aspx'
Windows Live Mail Error ID: 0x8DE20003



**
https://account.live.com/acsr
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=hotmail+parental+permission&x=0&y=0&CurrentScope.ForumName=windowslive&CurrentScope.Filter=livemail-email&ContentTypeScope=


and sometime later... there's a link for you to verify your age with a cc. problem solved itself.

Gmail problem: lost notes section of one contact

One of my contacts in Gmail has lost its associated notes section, and I don't know why.

All the other data in that contact is fine, only notes was deleted. I check other notes, especially the oldest ones and/or the ones with the longest notes. They are fine, which is a relief, but also adds to the mystery of the deleted note. I can only conclude that I must have deleted it myself, by accident, perhaps while editing it on my phone, and didn't notice it at the time. No matter the cause, I would like to get it back.

I don't have a recent backup, so that won't help. Speaking of which, not having a recent backup is something that needs fixing. I go to Google Takeout, and make a backup of contacts. While I'm here, I notice there isn't one for Gmail.

later...

And there is a selection for Gmail. Did I miss it? Was it gone? Anyway, Gmail backed up, and since then I've found I don't really miss that note so much after all. Too much work for too little yield, so I'll let it go.