Saturday, October 29, 2005
Laptop is safely back on XP Pro
After a minor scare - Ghost could not see one partion on the removeable HDD - the one with the back up on!! I copied the image to another partion, rebooted, selected the image and Voila!!
Took about 6 minutes to boot from CD into Ghost shell, but only then took another 10 minutes to restore the drive...
Took about 6 minutes to boot from CD into Ghost shell, but only then took another 10 minutes to restore the drive...
Vista - Update
It took about 1 hour to install the build, looks pretty much the same as before (no surprise there - it is only an interim release).
The first problem was getting the wireless network up and running - it just did not want to play, but after about 20 minutes of messing about, it suddenly sprang into life!
Created a new (standard) user, and set about customising the desktop - You don't seem to be able to remove the wallpaper!! You can change it to another one, but it wont' accept non as an option... :O
Downloaded MS Anto Spyware, and it needed the admin account to install - OK, did that - Got an error saying that it could not write to the registry - it needed admin rights!
Downloaded and installed ezTrust AntiVirus free trail - it's at the top of the list of reccomened AV products in the security centre - It failed to install - unable to copy system files - needs admin rights
It wanted to delete the shortcut off the desktop - I can't needs admin rights, every option I select seems to either demand the admin account, or simply a confirmation that I want to proceed GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
Gave in and made my second account a member of Administrators - both apps still fail to install clean. MS AntiSpyware does at least run, but ezTrust does indeed seem to not be installed correctly.
I tried to add some data files to the laptop, and for the life of me I cannot find the documents folder - inspite of the fact that I have told Vista to display it on the desktop!
Overall, the feel is still very sluggish and I am sory to say, its back to XP Pro in a few minutes - hehehe Hope my Ghost copy works!!
The first problem was getting the wireless network up and running - it just did not want to play, but after about 20 minutes of messing about, it suddenly sprang into life!
Created a new (standard) user, and set about customising the desktop - You don't seem to be able to remove the wallpaper!! You can change it to another one, but it wont' accept non as an option... :O
Downloaded MS Anto Spyware, and it needed the admin account to install - OK, did that - Got an error saying that it could not write to the registry - it needed admin rights!
Downloaded and installed ezTrust AntiVirus free trail - it's at the top of the list of reccomened AV products in the security centre - It failed to install - unable to copy system files - needs admin rights
It wanted to delete the shortcut off the desktop - I can't needs admin rights, every option I select seems to either demand the admin account, or simply a confirmation that I want to proceed GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
Gave in and made my second account a member of Administrators - both apps still fail to install clean. MS AntiSpyware does at least run, but ezTrust does indeed seem to not be installed correctly.
I tried to add some data files to the laptop, and for the life of me I cannot find the documents folder - inspite of the fact that I have told Vista to display it on the desktop!
Overall, the feel is still very sluggish and I am sory to say, its back to XP Pro in a few minutes - hehehe Hope my Ghost copy works!!
Friday, October 28, 2005
It's Vista Time again...
I initially installed Vista Beta 1 on my laptop, but it turns out that was about the time the hard drive started to fail, so a lot of my issues with performance were probably unfounded!!
When I rebuilt the laptop after the drive replacement, I went back to my copy of XP Pro, and once it was all working just as I like it, I ghosted it...
As I have now recieved an invite to trial the next version of Vista (Build 5231 - Beta 1 was Build 5112) - note this is NOT YET BETA 2, I downloaded a copy of the DVD .ISO file, and witha fresh image of the laptop stored safely on the external USB Hard Drive, I have started to install!!
I will keep the blog updated with progress...
When I rebuilt the laptop after the drive replacement, I went back to my copy of XP Pro, and once it was all working just as I like it, I ghosted it...
As I have now recieved an invite to trial the next version of Vista (Build 5231 - Beta 1 was Build 5112) - note this is NOT YET BETA 2, I downloaded a copy of the DVD .ISO file, and witha fresh image of the laptop stored safely on the external USB Hard Drive, I have started to install!!
I will keep the blog updated with progress...
Minor Change of (picture) Plan
I took Amanda to see "Leaving Las Vegas" at Castle Galleries yesterday, and she decided that it was not the correct colours for the bedroom, but she did like it. Whilst we were there, however, she saw "Lost in Thought" and fell in love!
I really like this one too, and was even more pleased when I found out that AP#1 was still available!! It seems that this is an almost unheard of situation, the artist almost allways keeps the first proof!
That picture is now on order, and should arrive within two weeks, looks like I may be decorating the bedroom soon...
I really like this one too, and was even more pleased when I found out that AP#1 was still available!! It seems that this is an almost unheard of situation, the artist almost allways keeps the first proof!
That picture is now on order, and should arrive within two weeks, looks like I may be decorating the bedroom soon...
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
No New Toy just yet
Having been considering a new camera for the last few weeks, I have now decidedthat it ain't going to happen - well not for a while anyway. I have seen a new 'Mark Spain' painting that has really grabbed both Mine and Amanda's imaginations..
Leaving Las Vegas
I have asked the Hlcyon Gallery to get a copy in to have a proper look at, but the initial signs are that we will be getting it. It will take pride of place in our bedroom (which will then need to be re-decorated!), a few other pictures will be shuffled, with Amy getting 'Head Study II' in her bedroom.
Leaving Las Vegas
I have asked the Hlcyon Gallery to get a copy in to have a proper look at, but the initial signs are that we will be getting it. It will take pride of place in our bedroom (which will then need to be re-decorated!), a few other pictures will be shuffled, with Amy getting 'Head Study II' in her bedroom.
Weight Check
At 19:30 on 30-07-2005 : 14st 1lb, 26.7% BF
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 19:30 on 10-10-2005 : 12st 10lb, 24.5% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
OK, still going down... A bit surprised, as I am now beeing far more relaxed about my Carb intake. The aim is to try and 'Level Out' at 12-4 to 12-7, so I can obviously 'treat' a bit more than I currently do...
The % Body Fat actually went back up a little this last time, but I haven't been to the Gym for over a week due to Training commitments in Maidenhead. I did get back into the Gym yesterday, but man was it hard work to get motivated again!
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 19:30 on 10-10-2005 : 12st 10lb, 24.5% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
OK, still going down... A bit surprised, as I am now beeing far more relaxed about my Carb intake. The aim is to try and 'Level Out' at 12-4 to 12-7, so I can obviously 'treat' a bit more than I currently do...
The % Body Fat actually went back up a little this last time, but I haven't been to the Gym for over a week due to Training commitments in Maidenhead. I did get back into the Gym yesterday, but man was it hard work to get motivated again!
Saturday, October 22, 2005
A Week in Maidenhead
I have spent most of the last week in Maidenhead on a Nortel training course for Call Pilot Rls 4. The course was good, if a little boring at times, but finding something to do with your evenings can be something of a challenge.
On Monday - M'Head Cinema - Oliver Twist - Very Good
On Tuesday - Reading Cinema - Serenity - Good
On Wednesday - M'Head Cinema - Curse of the Were Rabbit - Excellent
Add to this, "Burnout - Legends" and "Tiger Woods Golf 2006" on the PSP, reading "The Science of Discworld - Volume 3" and a reasonable amount of TV and that was a week taken care of.
When I got back home, I took delivery of the new cell phones: 1x Samsung D600 and 2x Nokia 6020's. I am currently in the process of getting our numbers moved from Orange to BT Mobile, it will save me £20 per month AND give us an extra 20 minutes per month in talktime!
On Monday - M'Head Cinema - Oliver Twist - Very Good
On Tuesday - Reading Cinema - Serenity - Good
On Wednesday - M'Head Cinema - Curse of the Were Rabbit - Excellent
Add to this, "Burnout - Legends" and "Tiger Woods Golf 2006" on the PSP, reading "The Science of Discworld - Volume 3" and a reasonable amount of TV and that was a week taken care of.
When I got back home, I took delivery of the new cell phones: 1x Samsung D600 and 2x Nokia 6020's. I am currently in the process of getting our numbers moved from Orange to BT Mobile, it will save me £20 per month AND give us an extra 20 minutes per month in talktime!
Friday, October 14, 2005
A Bit of Web Based Fun
Check out http://www.angryalien.com/...
A series of popular movies, re-enacted by cartoon bunnies in 30 seconds!!
A series of popular movies, re-enacted by cartoon bunnies in 30 seconds!!
Monday, October 10, 2005
Weight Check
At 19:30 on 30-07-2005 : 14st 1lb, 26.7% BF
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 19:30 on 10-10-2995 : 12st 10lb, 24.5% BF
Still heading in the right direction, in spite of the fact that I have more treats now than I did in the first 8 weeks. I have been to buy two pairs of trousers today, as my old ones now drop straight off my hips!
New target : Body Fat percentage in the 'Teens'... That should provide quite a challenge
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 19:30 on 10-10-2995 : 12st 10lb, 24.5% BF
Still heading in the right direction, in spite of the fact that I have more treats now than I did in the first 8 weeks. I have been to buy two pairs of trousers today, as my old ones now drop straight off my hips!
New target : Body Fat percentage in the 'Teens'... That should provide quite a challenge
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Golf Lesson this morning
After the disappointment of two weeks ago, where I just could not hit the thing in a straight line, I was not too optimistic for this mornings lesson. Even more so when you consider that I have not had chance to pick up a club since!
I was pleasantly surprised... After a poor first shot, John video taped my next two (which were not much better). Watching them back revealed a problem with my backswing - my left knee/hip was 'Collapsing' rather than twisting.
Correcting this is easier said than done, as it makes the back swing feel really uncomfortable, but the effect was nothing short of sensational! The next five shots were grouped within a 10foot area at about 150 yards.
I do need to go and get some practice in over the next week or two, to try and make this uncomfortable action feel a bit more natural.
I was pleasantly surprised... After a poor first shot, John video taped my next two (which were not much better). Watching them back revealed a problem with my backswing - my left knee/hip was 'Collapsing' rather than twisting.
Correcting this is easier said than done, as it makes the back swing feel really uncomfortable, but the effect was nothing short of sensational! The next five shots were grouped within a 10foot area at about 150 yards.
I do need to go and get some practice in over the next week or two, to try and make this uncomfortable action feel a bit more natural.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Weight Check
At 19:30 on 30-07-2005 : 14st 1lb, 26.7% BF
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
Still heading in the right direction...
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
Still heading in the right direction...
Monday, September 19, 2005
New Toy - Just Browsing
I have been a little dissapointed with the Dimage A200 Camera that I purchased last year. It has all the feature that I wanted, but the lens quality is just not good enough. So, I have been considering changing the camera again.
The shortlist was:
Canon EOS350D & the Nikon D70s - Both in the £600 to £700 region, both with excellent reviews
I am in no hurry however to change, but as I was passing Jessops today (With time to kill) I decided to go in and have a look at them. The guy behind the counter was excellent, getting all the camera's, lenses, memory cards etc ot, showing me A4 prints taken from both models...
My personal conclusion was that the 350 felt cheap and the build quality did not seem up to the standard of a £600 camera, but the NIkon, although fantastic, was just a little too large and heavy.
The compromise seems to be the Nikon D50, several £100 cheaper, smaller, lighter, few controls to hand (I considered that to be a good point!), but with a significantly 'shorter' zoon lens as standard (18 - 55 on the D50, 18 to 70 on the D70) However the difference in price would allow me to get an additional 55 to 200 lens, a large memory card, and still be within budget.
The combined range of 18 to 200 is 35mm Equiv to 28 - 300.
The 'trade in' price offered by the shop for my A200 was a rather pathetic £125 - they are selling 2nd hand on Ebay for approx £300!!
Hmmmm, maybe soon....
The shortlist was:
Canon EOS350D & the Nikon D70s - Both in the £600 to £700 region, both with excellent reviews
I am in no hurry however to change, but as I was passing Jessops today (With time to kill) I decided to go in and have a look at them. The guy behind the counter was excellent, getting all the camera's, lenses, memory cards etc ot, showing me A4 prints taken from both models...
My personal conclusion was that the 350 felt cheap and the build quality did not seem up to the standard of a £600 camera, but the NIkon, although fantastic, was just a little too large and heavy.
The compromise seems to be the Nikon D50, several £100 cheaper, smaller, lighter, few controls to hand (I considered that to be a good point!), but with a significantly 'shorter' zoon lens as standard (18 - 55 on the D50, 18 to 70 on the D70) However the difference in price would allow me to get an additional 55 to 200 lens, a large memory card, and still be within budget.
The combined range of 18 to 200 is 35mm Equiv to 28 - 300.
The 'trade in' price offered by the shop for my A200 was a rather pathetic £125 - they are selling 2nd hand on Ebay for approx £300!!
Hmmmm, maybe soon....
New Toy - Purchased
Well, it has been a while since I last treated myself to a "Boy's Toy"...
Today I was off work, and wandering around the Merry Hill Centre, when I was draw towards "Game"... Initially I was going to walk past, but then I saw MotoGP 3 for the XBox running behind the counter - It looked really good, especially after watching the real MotoGP on TV yesterday afternoon... Whilst I was looking at the XBOX games, I moved towards the PSP games... They have a couple of really good racing games...
Long Story - Short
I am now the proud owner of a nice shiny new Play Station Portable, complete with 1 GB memory card, latest firmware, screen protector, soft carry case, USB lead, UDM & Memory card case, carry bag and three games:
Burnout Legends
Midnight Club 3: DUB edition &
TOCA Race Driver 2
Today I was off work, and wandering around the Merry Hill Centre, when I was draw towards "Game"... Initially I was going to walk past, but then I saw MotoGP 3 for the XBox running behind the counter - It looked really good, especially after watching the real MotoGP on TV yesterday afternoon... Whilst I was looking at the XBOX games, I moved towards the PSP games... They have a couple of really good racing games...
Long Story - Short
I am now the proud owner of a nice shiny new Play Station Portable, complete with 1 GB memory card, latest firmware, screen protector, soft carry case, USB lead, UDM & Memory card case, carry bag and three games:
Burnout Legends
Midnight Club 3: DUB edition &
TOCA Race Driver 2
Friday, September 16, 2005
Been golfing today...
Indoors at LivingGolf...
After 10 minutes on the virtual "Driving Range", I played 18 holes at 'The Belfry'. To be honest, I was rubbish... but I did enjoy myself.
What was my score I hear you cry... well it was not impressive... 138!! Even accounting for my 28 handicap that's still in the region of 30 over!
Ah well, I will be better next time.
After 10 minutes on the virtual "Driving Range", I played 18 holes at 'The Belfry'. To be honest, I was rubbish... but I did enjoy myself.
What was my score I hear you cry... well it was not impressive... 138!! Even accounting for my 28 handicap that's still in the region of 30 over!
Ah well, I will be better next time.
Finally..
discovered how to remove the Hard Drive from the Acer Laptop... It was getting worse: 3 hours to format a 10 GB partition with FAT32!!
I have now scrapped the Travelstar 'IC25N040ATMR04' and ordered a TOSHIBA 'MK4026GAX'. This new drive has a 8 MB buffer and a 5400 spin speed, so should be quite a bit quicker than the old one...
I have now scrapped the Travelstar 'IC25N040ATMR04' and ordered a TOSHIBA 'MK4026GAX'. This new drive has a 8 MB buffer and a 5400 spin speed, so should be quite a bit quicker than the old one...
Monday, September 12, 2005
Weight Check
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
Still heading in the right direction...
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
Still heading in the right direction...
Been a strange week...
Not much going on:
Back at work, but waiting for it to be home time as soon as I got there!
Evening watching TV, because I couldn't be bothered to do anything else.
On the Plus Side:
Amy has started her new school, and is really enjoying it.
England won the Ashes back from the Aussies
Had a second golf lesson, and it seems to be starting to come together a little bit
On the Negative Side:
I think my laptop is sick: Looks to be a failed hard Drive, but it is not easy to locate the HD to change it... Took just about every screw out of the case, and still it won't come apart.
Back at work, but waiting for it to be home time as soon as I got there!
Evening watching TV, because I couldn't be bothered to do anything else.
On the Plus Side:
Amy has started her new school, and is really enjoying it.
England won the Ashes back from the Aussies
Had a second golf lesson, and it seems to be starting to come together a little bit
On the Negative Side:
I think my laptop is sick: Looks to be a failed hard Drive, but it is not easy to locate the HD to change it... Took just about every screw out of the case, and still it won't come apart.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Post Holiday Blues?
I know we were only away for a couple of days, but I am feeling really miffed at being back, I just can't work up any enthusiasm for anything.
As expected, I didn't get up in time to go to the bike training, so that was a waste of £90, I intended to go to the gym this morning... got up in plenty of time, but just could not be bothered, and I *so* don't want to go back to work on Monday.
We have already started to discuss next years holiday, and an appartment in Turkey is amongst the current favourites, as All I want from a summer holiday at present is Rest, Relaxation, Sun and a pool to keep the kids from under my feet whilst I read a book or two, and chill with my MP3 player...
I have, however, finished the book I started on Wednesday - Night Watch - and jolly good it was too. I have also taken delivery of my external Hard Drive, and have backed up my Music, Pictures and Document partitions. It comes with some software to enable 'One Touch Backup' from the button on the front of the drive, but I have chosen not to install that. Instead I have created three partitions to mirror those I am backing up, and have used the "SyncToy" power toy from Microsoft to keep both sets in Sync..
As expected, I didn't get up in time to go to the bike training, so that was a waste of £90, I intended to go to the gym this morning... got up in plenty of time, but just could not be bothered, and I *so* don't want to go back to work on Monday.
We have already started to discuss next years holiday, and an appartment in Turkey is amongst the current favourites, as All I want from a summer holiday at present is Rest, Relaxation, Sun and a pool to keep the kids from under my feet whilst I read a book or two, and chill with my MP3 player...
I have, however, finished the book I started on Wednesday - Night Watch - and jolly good it was too. I have also taken delivery of my external Hard Drive, and have backed up my Music, Pictures and Document partitions. It comes with some software to enable 'One Touch Backup' from the button on the front of the drive, but I have chosen not to install that. Instead I have created three partitions to mirror those I am backing up, and have used the "SyncToy" power toy from Microsoft to keep both sets in Sync..
Friday, September 02, 2005
Back Home...
had a really great few days away,
The journey down to Torquay was fine, hardly any traffic on the motorway.
The Hotel was really nice, the outdoor (heated) pool kept the kids occupied for hours on end.
The food was generally great, and I am not expecting to loose much weight this time!
Weather was generally good
Started "Night Watch" by Terry Pratchett, and have got over half way thro' it already
We visited Cockington Village today, before stopping off at Weston-Super-Mare on the way back where we had a very nice Chinese take-away with Barry & Carol.
The journey back was fine, although starting out on a 2 hour journey at 9:00 PM on a full stomach meant that a can of red-bull and a strong cup of cofee were required to maintain my alertness.
The downside of that, is that it is now well past midnight, and I am still not ready to go to bed... I am supposed to be up at 07:00 tommorow (well actually today now) to ride to leicester for a track based riding course at 08:30. I think I am going to feel *way* too tired to be able to ride safely at speed for the best part of a day, and may just not bother to go...
The journey down to Torquay was fine, hardly any traffic on the motorway.
The Hotel was really nice, the outdoor (heated) pool kept the kids occupied for hours on end.
The food was generally great, and I am not expecting to loose much weight this time!
Weather was generally good
Started "Night Watch" by Terry Pratchett, and have got over half way thro' it already
We visited Cockington Village today, before stopping off at Weston-Super-Mare on the way back where we had a very nice Chinese take-away with Barry & Carol.
The journey back was fine, although starting out on a 2 hour journey at 9:00 PM on a full stomach meant that a can of red-bull and a strong cup of cofee were required to maintain my alertness.
The downside of that, is that it is now well past midnight, and I am still not ready to go to bed... I am supposed to be up at 07:00 tommorow (well actually today now) to ride to leicester for a track based riding course at 08:30. I think I am going to feel *way* too tired to be able to ride safely at speed for the best part of a day, and may just not bother to go...
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