Razzlfrazzle!!!

It wasn't the CD-Rom Drive.

I replaced the CD burner with a new one and the Windows install bombed at the same percent again. So I replaced the hard drive again! Then it bombed again. At this point I was tired, hungry and frustrated beyond belief.

I removed one of the RAM sticks, and it bombed at 30%. So I swapped the sticks and Vwing! It installed. It was the ram the whole time. How evil!

Winblows through computer hell.

My objective was simple. Replace my dad's hard drive, and install a OEM copy of Windows XP Pro that I had purchased from Fry's. His computer is over 3 years old and thus the hard drive he had was forming bad sectors (at least it did just out right fail, but it was almost as bad since it hosed his email).

The hard drive was cake. Dell computers rock with thier hardware layout. They have the plastic guard rails that let you just pop a component out instead of having to unscrew it from the frame. Took all of 2 minutes to do that. w00t!

So with it all hooked up and air dusted off, I insert the Windows CD, and start the setup process. It gets to 80% copying setup files, and KABLOOEY!

"There was an error trying to copy file somethingoranother.dll. Would you like to retry, skip, or just give up you stupid mortal?"

So I hit retry. "Resistance if futile Error." WTF!?! So I skip. Next file, Error. Next File, Error. *Smashes head into desk repeatedly.

So I call for backup. Jaime shows up with another version of windows...the type of version that doesn't have boot files on it. So we do another trip back to his place and get his emergency boot disk, and another copy of windows. Third time's the charm right?

So with some russian boot disk drive letter swapping fun, I stop that nonsense and use the Windows Media Center edition of XP disk we brought (of course I figured my OEM CD key wasn't gonna work but I didn't care much at that point.

Copying setup files...........80% DING "Silly mortal, Tricks are for kids."

AAARRRGGG!!! So it wasn't the copy of windows. It was his CD ROM going nucking futs! By this point it as almost 9pm. I was tired, and here it is 4am which came all too quickly. Today I get to try again. I'll be putting in a new CD ROM (I think i'll go nuts and get him a DvD Burner mwa hahahaha!!!!)

Awesome weekend

Picked my roomie up from the airport. Did some photoshop work, and getting another web project going. Lots of fun!

I have to work sunday (which is technically today since its after midnight). Its only a 4 hour shift, and from what my coworkers tell me its non-stop busy. I like that. The day goes by faster when there's no downtime. Plus the calls I take are challenging. It's always something new, and often requires some real thought behind figuring out what these people are actually asking for LOL.

example: "Yah, I can't get my database to replicate (replication is a term used for Lotus Notes, since it uses a 'replicator' page for downloading databases to a local copy)."

"Okay, no problem, let me remote into your system and i'll take a look at your lotus notes databases."

"Okay"

Remote process completed

"Okay, i'm showing your lotus notes replicate just fine."

"Oh, its not in lotus notes. My synchronization for my other program isn't working."

"Uh, okay. Sorry, you said replicate, and I assumed lotus notes. And since you didn't say anything after I mentioned i'd look at your lotus notes, I figured that is what you were having a problem with."

"Oh, so that page that says replicator page is what you guys think of when we say replicating? I just call everything that. heh."

(Now mind you, I should have probed and asked what program they were having a problem with)

-=Next Call=-

"Yah i'm getting an error message with my email." (all of them use lotus notes for email, but what the hell right?)

"No problem. What program are you using for email?"

"What do you mean no problem? And what kind of stupid question is that? We all use Lotus notes!"

(troubleshooting commences while the user continues to let me know how stupid I am)

-=Next Call=-

"Yah i'm getting an error message when I try to download my email."

"No problem. Let me remote in." (clickity click click) "Your email seems to be replicating fine."

"Oh its not in lotus notes. I was talking about my outlook express program." (duh..of course you were.)

"I'm sorry, we don't support the use of that program. Per ...(interupted by babbling client)"

"What?! How the heck am I supposed to get my personal email then? This is redicul(interupted by annoyed support tech)."

"Per Security Policy you are not authorized to use that program. Your equipment is not for personal use, and is company provided. The use of non-standard programs is a violation of terms of use."

"Non-standard? It comes installed on the computer."

"Yes, and on the documentation you recieved that was placed inside the lid of the laptop it explains that the program was disabled and is not authorized. You had to do something to enable it again, which means you used non-standard unauthorized software to hack your company computer for personal use."

"But my manager gave me the program."

"So he's involved as well?"

"Um...how about you just remove it for me, and leave it at that."

"Sure thing. I'd be happy to remove all non-standard software from the laptop. I'll even back up your email for you so you can save it to disk and put it on a personal computer."

"Thanks!"

(I'm such a nice guy.)

Beta whore

So far i've gotten into 2 online beta's in the last week. Both very good games. So in response i've began updating my online gaming guild website.

Of course its been so long since i've used frontpage and photoshop that I had to brush back up on a few skillz the hard way hehe. It was fun killing everything a few times.

You can access my forums at http://www.ironalliance.com/forums

That is just in case the front end of my site dies horribly.

Paradox

I am taking my roomie to the airport this morning. Then I get to be in the apartment by myself for a week. Lots and lots to do though.

I'm at a loss as to what else to put here though. So I figured i'd just update this for the sake of updating. =)

How is your day going?

Something to think about...you decide how your day is going regardless of what has happened. My day is fantastic!!!

Cough of Doom

So annoying. I have this cough thing. I was doing "okay" (except the nausea, and breathing problems), but now this cold is getting on my nerves.

=( stupid transition of seasons.

On the road again.

Weeeeeeeeee. I'm moving again today. I'm excited. I get a bigger room for my stuff, and I get to be on a ethernet connection again instead of a wireless one.

Wireless wasn't bad, just something kept disconnecting me every 20-30 minutes and so gaming was a pain in the butt.

If any of you need computer work, or know somebody who does, i'm going to be starting a side business of servicing computers for people.

-Adware/spyware removal
-Virus removal/Antivirus checkup
-Performance Maintenance
-Desktop Design Requests
-Remote support

$150 for 3 months service, includes:
2 physical visits a month no charge (service fee is $35 after that)
10 Remote desktop connections ($10 for every 2 after that)

Advanced services are negotiable but are not included in the service package above.

Zoink!!

I graduated from the PSI basic seminar last night. Wonderful stuff. Lots of you guys showed up to support me, and that is awesome. Thank you!

Now what's next?

I'm moving this weekend. Man I love moving (not). Hehe..but its all good. With the ethernet connection i'll have available, I'll be able to mess with linux a bit more.