Name:Chris Country:United States State:Minnesota Metro: Gender:Male
Expertise:Well, I've learned a lot about power systems and large diesel gensets over the last year. Oh, and PLC programming. Occupation:Engineering Industry:Manufacturing
If you get the Grand Forks TV Stations, you've heard about the fire that destroyed the almost complete $23 million dollar Warroad Senior Living Center. For those of you that don't, Google News is happy to assist. The fire started about 1:20AM on Friday, April 25 2008. The cause is under investigation.
I took some pictures of the fire and the remains today:
Smoke plume from the fire as seen out my window this morning at 7:30AM.
Smoke plume from MN-313 on the way into work today.
Debris at 12:30 PM. The only intact buildings are garages.
Looking west at the rubble.
Same location, wider angle
Looking north at the complex. I think that the rectangles sticking out of the rubble are/were elevator shafts.
Looking north, other half of the complex.
It's still (10:00 PM) this smoky by the senior center
About 9:35, some large flames started up again. We saw many cars running into town with their hazard blinkers flashing; I assume that the fire department was calling it's people in again to get it under control again.
Things are getting better around here. I fixed my computer. I don't know how, but it's working again. I suspect that either some dust was causing problems with signals in the boards, or one of my case fans is acting up. It started working after I hit it with the air duster and opened the case and disconnected the fans. Hm.
I will now describe my experience with DirecTV. I'll give my opinion on the equipment later, but here's my story with installation:
I ordered online from the website. I decided to splurge and get the HD-DVR and package. I have a HD monitor and I wanted a DVR, so I forked out the $200 for the unit (the HD only or the DVR only are free after rebate...). I did this about the 2nd of July, and scheduled installation on the 14th because of when I was available and when they were available.
On the 14th, I got a call from the installation person. Apparently, the HD-DVR wouldn't be available until Wednesday the 18th. I was able to schedule the install for 4-8 PM on Thursday the 19th (today). I'm sitting around here, waiting, scratching my head about the computer. 8 comes and goes. About 8:30 PM, we call DirecTV to complain. Get bounced around a bit (not blaming corporate for this one, I think this was a local installer issue). Eventually get contacted by the installer saying that they used the dish or one of the LNB's on it for someone else's. I tell them that wasn't acceptable. I figured that I would have to get in touch with them tomorrow to reschedule, or (looking more and more likely) drop them and go to Dish Network. I was getting ready for bed, when at 10:03PM the guy who's installing it calls me and asks for directions. Needless to say I was suprised (annoyed and happy at the same time actually). He gets here around 10:30, and starts installing. Get's things set up. I'm happy. The one issue there is now is that he will have to come back at some point before September and put the correct dish on the mount. As far as I'm concerned, he can do it anytime since he shouldn't need to come in the house to do that.
At least the HD stuff looks good . I just need to figure out how to route the cables around behind the TV so I can get surround sound out of the receiver AND be able to get surround sound out of the DVD player... at least I've got an EE degree.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that
brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to
pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the
inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be
nothing. Only I will remain. - Frank Herbert
I'm having some severe computer problems with my main computer; I'm
using my old college laptop to try to figure it out. I think I might
have an idea... which of course means I can't find the XP install CD to
get the recovery counsule loaded .
If anyone out there knows how to get rid of something called "getio.sys", please let me know .
The computer appears to be hanging there, judging from the data
displayed during a Safe Mode boot. Useing my immense (but now exhaused)
patientce, I saw that the computer will actually boot in safe mode...
it just takes the better part of an hour to get from the "Starting
Windows XP" screen to being able to have any chance of doing anything.
Task manager is showing that the "System" process is using 95-99% of
CPU time.
. I just need to figure out how to route the cables around behind the TV so I can get surround sound out of the receiver AND be able to get surround sound out of the DVD player... at least I've got an EE degree.
.