D U R C A N . N E T

Windows 7 64bit upgrade and Intel Storage manager issues

// November 8th, 2009 // No Comments » // tech

Windows 7 Default Desktop

Originally uploaded by nopattern

I just upgraded my 3 year old Dell Dimension E520 to Windows 7. I did a fresh install just to make sure there wasn’t any legacy junk from Vista hanging around. So far I’m very happy with Windows 7 so far! Its certainly faster, networking capabilities is certainly better and easier! It also works super well with my Xbox360 perfectly now!

I originally purchased my Dell with Windows XP 32bit, and later did an upgrade to Vista 32-bit. I had so many issues with Vista 32bit. The machine certainly got better with Sp1 came out, but the biggest problems I had to deal with was the Cisco VPN client did not work on machines that were upgraded to Vista. This made working at home an issue. The Cisco VPN client only worked on a fresh install of Windows Vista 32bit, and had no support for Windows VIsta 64bit. After a few months of struggling with various problems I wiped my machine and did a fresh install of Windows Vista 32bit. It was relatively problem and crash free since doing the fresh install, but I’ve consistently had strange network issues with Vista.

Some strangeness I had to deal with using Vista 32bit was my machine was invisible on the network even with the firewall disabled. The vista machine could access other machines with no issue, but other devices could not reach the Vista box using various methods (ping/netbios/CIFS/etc). I knew the local IP of the Dell, and it was basically invisible to the rest of the network sometimes till I pinged the IP address of the Vista box. Yes that sounds crazy..but that was the behavior. Trying to use the Xbox360 with Vista was painful due to these network issues.

Now I’m using Windows 7, and I have zero networking issues! All machines can see each other on the network including the Xbox360.

I’ve been using my windows 7 box for a few weeks now and I noticed my box would freeze up occasionally. I checked the event log and saw a few hundred of these messages:

Log Name: System
Source: iaStorV
Date: 11/6/2009 5:08:22 PM
Event ID: 9
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: VADER
Description:
The device, \Device\Ide\iaStor0, did not respond within the timeout period.

I checked around the internet and noticed that other Dell owners were having the same issue when they upgrade to a 64bit Vista or Windows 7. It appears Microsoft is using the wrong driver for the Intel Storage Manager to run under a 64 bit OS

http://www.pdsys.org/blog/post/2007/04/10/Dell-and-Intel-screw-up-big-time-iaStor-and-Windows-Vista.aspx

this is the latest Intel driver to fix the issue:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProductID=2101&DwnldID=17882&strOSs=44&OSFullName=Windows*

Popularity: 1% [?]

Musica: Mason vs. Princess Superstar – Perfect (Exceeder)

// June 29th, 2009 // No Comments » // random

Mason vs. Princess Superstar – Perfect (Exceeder)

good song from the latest commercial for the Bruno movie

Popularity: 1% [?]

Ironman – The Distance

// June 2nd, 2009 // No Comments » // random

Ironman – The Distance

I think 2011 will be the year I do an Ironman!

Popularity: 1% [?]

Horrible way to fix a cable run

// December 20th, 2008 // No Comments » // random

Horrible way to fix a cable run

Originally uploaded by Declan!

I have a task at work to get a vendor to remove the telecommunication cabling from a floor we are giving back to the landlord. As were were doing the walk-through I came across the quality work done by a vendor many years ago.

Looks like they accidentally cut one of the cable runs, and decided to do a ghetto fix instead of running a new cable….what freaking crap!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Rickroll @ the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

// November 29th, 2008 // No Comments » // music, random

Macy’s Thanksgiving parade RickRoll

freaking hilarious! comedy central punk’d NBC!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Barack Obama for President

// October 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // random

The NY times has officially endorsed Obama! They wrote and excellent editorial which is worth a read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/opinion/24fri1.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

Popularity: 6% [?]

I have a Rendezvous with Death

// October 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // cool

I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air—
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.

It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath—
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.

God knows ’twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear . . .
But I’ve a rendezvous with Death

At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.

-Alan Seeger

http://www.poemtree.com/poems/IHaveARendezvousWithDeath.htm

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/I+Have+a+Rendezvous+with+Death.htm

I also like how Gears of War 2 tied it into their Trailer:

Popularity: 6% [?]

MC Yogi: Obama ‘08 – Vote for Hope

// October 19th, 2008 // No Comments » // random

MC Yogi: Obama ‘08 – Vote for Hope

One thing we can all agree on is that we want to be safe, prosperous, and free

Popularity: 6% [?]

O-Beast

// September 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // random

bellybutton

Originally uploaded by litteredwithimperfection

I always seem to pronounce the word “Obese” as O-Beast.

I’m in the airport at Syracuse waiting for my flight.. Folks in NYC and LA seem to be pretty thin on the average….what I notice in central NY, which is very much like the mid-west, is that there seems to be a higher than normal rate of Obese people….I mean huge fatties. Also the food choices this weekend were not so healthy. Lots of chain restaurants, greasy diners…stuff like that.

So at the airport, this one dude sitting in front of me has purple swollen legs….dry, peeling, and scabby. Pretty nasty. Seriously should be wearing pants to cover that stuff up. I’ve seen that on occasion on some heavy homeless people…but figured it was due to them not bathing normally or something.. Searching on the internetz, looks like signs of diabetes. I hope he’s getting medical help.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/diabetes_mellitus/hic_skin_conditions_in_diabetes.aspx

Eruptive xanthomatosis — Eruptive xanthomatosis can occur in some individuals when blood glucose levels are not well controlled and when triglycerides in the blood rise to extremely high levels. This condition appears as firm, yellow, pea-like bumps on the skin. The bumps—which are surrounded by red halos and can be itchy—usually are found on the feet, arms, legs, buttocks, and backs of the hands. Lipid-lowering drugs might be needed.

Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum — Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD) is caused by changes in the blood vessels and generally affects the lower legs. With NLD, the affected skin becomes raised, yellow, and waxy in appearance, often with a bluish-purple border. Sometimes, NLD is itchy and painful. As long as the sores do not break open, treatment is not necessary. If the sores do break open or if the lesions are painful, see your health care provider for treatment.

On that note, I’m back to training for another triathlon on Oct 12th. I need to drop 20lbs.

–
-Declan

Popularity: 6% [?]

142809th place in the world! lol

// September 2nd, 2008 // No Comments » // random

142809th place in the world! lol

Originally uploaded by Declan!

I ran a 10K Nike race on 8/31/08 which started at 8:31:08PM PST. I finished the race without stopping, and averaged 10′55 per mile. (yes I know it was in KM)

Popularity: 6% [?]