My Unique Life in Windows Live Space: Computers/Internet

Yay!!! The Cable is Working!

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:07:18 GMT

Isn't it strange how you never really appreciate something until it is gone? and I am ecstatic jumping up and down yelling, "Yay!!! The Cable is Working!" That thought about appreciating something reminded me of someone, and how much I miss reading The Fanciful Muse's Blog. I feel funny express my feelings and I hope that all is well with you and yours? I can't seen to stop myself from saying so...I apologize if I am saying something that I shouldn't, but I just want you to know that you are missed.

Being without my high speed Internet access made me really appreciate the broadband service and the TV service provided by Comcast too! I am just so happy that everything is working again, and I am posting this entry because I have been writing about using my AT&T Worldnet dial up service in your absence. I have had a strange feeling of being disloyal to my Cable Company by using the phone line, but I really wanted to keep my commitment to myself to post something in my Blog every day too!

I guess I should be thankful for my cable being out because it gave me something to write about, and I learned something new by setting up my phone modem. The other thing that all of this has brought to mind is that a lot of other people all around the world have a lot bigger problems than my Internet access. I have so very much to be grateful for, and to have that thought present in my mind at this moment is a wonderful thing!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Curtailing my Internet Use

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:21:08 GMT

Now that I am Using my phone Modem to connect to the Internet I am finding that I am "Curtailing my Internet Use" because it cost me money. My cable service is still out today and there is no update as to when it might be working again. I am using my AT&T Worldnet dial up service to access the Internet, but looking at videos or waiting for a page to load has curtailed my wanting to be online at all.

Then there's the fact that it's costing me money to be online, my broadband service has unlimited use, and I am on a cheaper plan with my phone line access because I only keep it as an emergency access. You know like if the cable goes out or if I actual went anywhere I could still take my laptop and connect to a phone anyplace and be online. The annoyance of the pages loading so slowly has me realizing how spoiled I have become from having high speed Internet access.

Don't get me wrong: I am so very happy just to have any access at all, and I am really appreciating having my AT&T Worldnet account. I have been paying for it for years and never use it, and now I am receiving the benefits of doing that by being able to be online. I feel like the clock is ticking though and there is an urgency to hurry up and do whatever it is that I want to accomplish online and then disconnect.

I am wasting my money by being connected to the phone line, but yet when I use my broadband service I think nothing of being connected online all day, because it doesn't cost me anymore than if I wasn't using it all. Well like I said, "This is costing me money so I guess I'll just say Goodbye!"

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Using my phone Modem

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:38:06 GMT

I am updating my story: Storms disrupted my Cable! because I want to write about "Using my phone Modem" on my computer for the first time. The Cable Company hasn't even posted any information as to when the service might be working again. According to their page there are no known issues:

I have used Wireless Oakland on previous occasions, when my cable has been out, but it is not working today either, so it was back to the old phone line for me to be able to access the Internet and publish my Blog entries. I had a problem setting up my modem because the only CD I had to setup my account was from 1999 and my Windows XP operating system wouldn't accept it, but I finally got it working by talking to Technical Support.

They are sending me a new CD in the mail which should be here in 7 days. I was surprised that I couldn't download it online, but I guess there must be a reason for it, maybe it would take to long to download, I don' know? The plan that I have to access the Internet is going to cost me .99¢ an hour, after I have used up my free 10 hours of access with the plan I am on, but at this point I feel like it's well worth it just to be online.

I feel like sharing this information with all of you because the local Cable Company makes me feel like they are close, you know they are only a few miles away. I have always liked AT&T because of their 125 years in business, and I have kept my phone service with them for just this reason. My cable modem is out so I couldn't use my phone to publish this entry in my Blog like I am going to do today.

I just feel like I am being taken advantage of by these big corporations, I have my cell phone and home phone provide by AT&T. My cable TV and Internet access provided by Comcast and yet I don't really feel like I am take full advantage of any of these services, only using them when I need to. Does that logic sound strange to you?

Let me explain: I have been debating as to which company I want to give my money to...AT&T or Comcast for the services that I use. Comcast doesn't provide cell phone service so I use AT&T and I have been very happy with their service. I have been debating as to whether or not to try AT&T U-verse vs. Comcast Cable and I am afraid of trying video over the phone lines, you can imagine as I load these Internet pages using a phone modem, it is so slow!

Comcast doesn't have cell phone service and AT&T doesn't have a broadband connection so I am stuck keeping both. The ironic thing about this whole situation is: I called Comcast and couldn't even talk to anyone on the phone, they couldn't even give me a how long I would have to wait time. I called AT&T and I did talk to several different people, but I ended up with two pages of 800 numbers and I am stuck using a phone line that to me isn't able to handle the capacity, I could be wrong there, but you get where I am coming from, Right!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Service Pack 3: Defragmentation Report

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:21:54 GMT

I just ran the Disk Defragmenter on my computer for the first time since I Installed Service Pack 3 and it looks like there's another problem with Service Pack 3: Defragmentation Report:

My computer seems to be working just fine, but all that red in this report has me concerned about the data being corrupt on my hard drive. I have ran the disk defragmenter several times and the report still says: "Files that did not defragment: Frangments 590; File Size 3.69 GB; File Name \from_old_computer\SaveData.MIG".

I am posting the same picture twice because I want to be able to see the difference between the quality of the picture as a JPEG and as a BitMap. The picture that is a BitMap will not show up in my Blog Photo Album (I am going to be checking on the pictures) at least I don't think it will, but I could be wrong. This is the same Defragmentation Report as a BitMap:

The reason that I am writing about this today is: I wonder if anyone else is having the same problem that I am with the Service Pack 3 upgrade? But that's not the only reason...To record the information would be another reason, to say what's on my mind, and to share my thoughts with all of you!

The XP operating system on this computer is the original and it has been in use since 7/7/2005, and I am a little concerned about losing it. You know once you have had to reload all the software into the computer again it just never seems to be the same as the original, which makes me so sad.

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

I Installed Service Pack 3

Wed, 28 May 2008 18:43:22 GMT

I am a very skeptical person, but I don't want to have to light a candle when it gets dark outside either, I would rather just flip the light switch on, and I wanted to tell you about how "I Installed Service Pack 3" today on my laptop computer. This is the computer that I use everyday: Compaq Presario 2209CL Notebook PC and I am always hesitant to try new things including software. When it comes to upgrading the Microsoft Operating System to Service Pack 3 on my computer I don't mind telling you I was very anxious about doing it.

I thought I would share my experience with all of you to possibly elevate some of your anxiety about installing the upgrade. The (SP3) installation seemed like it took a long time, maybe that was because I was thinking about all the things that could go wrong, but didn't. The only problem that I had with the upgrade was this error that I received when I opened my Windows Live Messenger:

I would call the upgrade a complete success if that's the only problem that I have with it (knock on wood) if you know what I mean. Everything seems to be working perfectly with the new software from what I can see, and I have already posted one entry in my Blog today so I have no doubts that you will be able to read this today.

The old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" doesn't really hold true for new technology and software. They are always coming up with new ways of making things better and if you stay with the same old anything you are just living in the past. It was really hard for me today to get over the anxiety of all the things that could go wrong by installing the upgrade, but really I was just making myself miserable by thinking that way.

I had just used Easy Transfer to backed up all the files from the laptop into my new computer so that even if the worst happened and the system crashed at least the information wouldn't be lost, that gave me really peace of mind knowing the data wouldn't be lost. I hope that by writing this today that you'll have faith in Microsoft and install the upgrades. I mean we bought the computers with the Microsoft Operating Systems installed on them it's the least we can do is have faith that they know what they are doing and have our best interests at heart.

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Oh, Bother!

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 22:21:25 GMT

This Winnie the Pooh expression, "Oh Bother!" sums up my mood for trying to find something to write about today. Then after I start writing the words just seem to appear on the page like magic, and I have no idea where they come from, they are just there. I like this quote:

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.
Benjamin Franklin

The quote doesn't really help me with my writing because if I could think of something worth writing about then maybe it would be worth reading. If I could think of something to do that would be worth writing about than that might be something worth reading too! But alas I have neither, so this is what I am writing, nonsense, go figure...I tried looking at old Emails to come up with something to write about and this one looked promising:

If you're bored...

Stephen King's "Hand" - Follow the instructions carefully!

This is really amazing!

    WHAT TO DO:
    1. Leave your hand on the mouse
    2. Double click the symbol below (it's virus checked)
    3. Concentrate on the dot in the middle of the screen and count to 30 (It's very important to watch it for 30 seconds! Otherwise it won't work!)
    4. Now look at your hand on the mouse
    5. Don't scream!

Original Email

I couldn't copy the Optical file from Word so I have uploaded the file to my SkyDrive so that you can open the Pinwheel to double click on it. Click on the Original Email link above and let me know if it opens for you please! I have no idea why I couldn't copy the Optical file, but I have spent way to much time trying.

Do you know what the strange thing is about all of this? I don't even think that anyone's going to read this and that just makes me want to say, "Oh, Bother!"

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

The New Computer

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:11:18 GMT

It's finally here "The New Computer" and I am so excited, it's a Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop Computer. I don't know how they can sell them so cheap, either, it was only $299, an I hope I don't get what I paid for, because that sounds like how much the software would cost, not the whole computer. I will finally get to use Vista, not that I am looking forward to it, because I haven't heard very many good things about it, but I will get to see for myself.

I am looking towards the future with an open mind and expecting good things from learning about Vista. When I got Windows XP I was just as skeptical, because I really like Windows ME and I have come to conclusion that you have to keep moving forward or get stuck in the past. I mean you can't keep using software that is no longer supported by the manufacturer can you? Times change and so must everything else, including yourself, what else can you do, except maybe climb under a rock.

I am hesitant to even plug the new computer in because I am unsure of myself whether or not I can handle something new right at this moment. I guess if my ancestors were to have continued to think this way we would still be living in caves, so on with progress, caves are too hard to wire for electricity anyway!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Windows ME Help Center

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:21:20 GMT

I am writing this because of the Error: The initialization of the Help Center failed after I had installed the Windows Updates on my Old Sony with the "Windows ME Help Center." It also says:

Please report the error number to Microsoft support-2147143679

I went to Microsoft support and tried a search on the numbers. The search didn't find any articles to help me, so I did an Internet search on the error numbers and found this article: Help Center Initialization Fails. I download and installed MDAC 2.8 SP1 and my Help Center is now working again and that solved my problem.

The reason I am putting this information in my Blog is so that I can find it again if I need it, another reason is to help somebody else that might be having the same problem. I just think that it is so strange that the Microsoft support page couldn't help me.

The fix is from Microsoft, and I can't understand why if the update KB911562 causes the problem, and they have a fix for the problem, why it isn't in their search for the problem? Or is it, and I just couldn't find it.

I don't know what is going on because it says that this update is for XP, so why would it even be in the automatic update for install on my ME computer? There was a link to this article: MS06-014: Vulnerability in Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) function could allow code execution, and after reading some of it, I have decided to call it quits for today, it is all so complicated. At least it is to me, that is!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

I am so Excited?

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 19:57:27 GMT

Can you guess, why "I am so Excited?" That's right, the Old Sony (model PCV-RX370DS) is back, and it's like a long lost friend stopping by for a visit. I don't know how long it will be working. I am just glad that I had the determination, and took the time to try an idea I had, about installing that old hard drive I had lying around collecting dust. What I did was reload the Operating System again this morning, and I tried to uninstall the old McAfee, the very first thing this time. I had thought that I had removed it, but when I went to install the new McAfee it said that the Installer Wizard found an older version and removed it. Thank you Installer Wizard! You are a life saver, because I would have had to start all over again!

Stumbling a Couple of Pages:

My friends Heinz and Bobby had shown me something that I wanted to give a thumbs up StumbleUpon review to. The first thing is this video from Heinz:

The Moringa Trees

It's about the Moringa trees and I had never even heard about these trees, until Heinz told me about them. There are 13 different species of the tree, and a lot of information is available about them on the Internet. I thought it was fascinating how useful these trees are in helping under nourished children, along with the many other good things that can be produced with the leaves, seeds and flowers of these amazing trees.

Bobby had this video on his article: Help Preserve Net Neutrality and asked that everyone post this badge on their site:

I don't want to lose my access to the Internet that I come to know and love using. I hope that you will join me and Bobby, and do whatever you can to help keep the Internet just the way that it is, free and open to anyone.

Who doesn't want to Save The Internet?

Another thing that I feel the need to say today is about the boastful claim I made the other day: Today I am a Writer! That claim has really been bothering me, ever since I made it. The reason that I started trying to learn how to write was to be able to communicate my thoughts here in my Blog, nothing more than that. Some how I have blown it completely out of peroration, and I feel the need to clarify it in my mind; I am doing the best that I can, with regards to my writing, Rome wasn't built in a day, was it?

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

A Waste of Time

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:23:16 GMT

I have been trying to get the Old Sony working all day, and I think that it's "A Waste of Time," because if it isn't one thing it's another. I had a hard drive that I took out of another computer, and I thought that the problem with the Sony might be the hard drive. I reinstall the operating system and all software, and it was working pretty well until I tried to remove the old McAfee virus software. Now it can't find a lot of the dll's to run the programs, so I am wondering if I should waste any more time messing around with it, or not.

I really find it interesting trying to make something work that probably should be in the trash. It's more functional now than when I started this morning, and I am getting some satisfaction out of that, I guess. I just wish I knew more about computers. I have heard the best way to learn about something is to practice, so I guess that's what I am doing. When I am trying to figure out what I can do to get this computer working again, I am not thinking other things. So it keeps my mind occupied, and I seem to be content and interest in what I am doing.

I don't think that this entry will be of interest to anyone that might happen by and read it. But the reason I am writing about is because I am all wound up, and can't think of anything else that I want to say. I probably should be happy about finding something of interest, at least I am keeping myself amused and that's a good thing!

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Moon & Mountain Experiment

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:57:06 GMT


	Yesterday I wrote about these Background Tables and the problem I was having: That they wouldn't fit on my home page because the space is too narrow. My thought today is: Does it really matter that they don't fit? So what if the picture runs off of the space provided, I can publish this and change it to whatever I want after it is off of my home page. I am experimenting with these background tables because I think that they are really beautiful and I am interested in learning how to use them. I have resized the writing area to fit the space provided on my home page. Thanks for Listening, Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Background Tables

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:57:12 GMT

I really liked these Background Tables from Hack's Space. The only thing is, now I have to learn something new again. I have been trying to resize the backgrounds all morning. I think I have figured out a way to show you what I am talking about here in my post today. I guess we will see if I get my message across to you or not, time will tell. I am sure that there is an easier way to do this than what I am trying to do: Here's the deal!

My home page template, or layout, as I like to call it, has caused me problems with a lot of the HTML code that I try to use. Maybe I should just change the template and I wouldn't have all these problems, but that's the deal. If I didn't have all these different problems, I wouldn't be learning about HTML either. And I really think that's important to understand the basics of HTML, for me any how.

My Blog posts go from a narrow strip, on my home page, to a much larger page after I have posted five entries in my Blog. You would think that all that change in size would be incorporated in the HTML codes, but some of it is, and some of it isn't. Example: I used this old entry, because this is the size of the page, after it is off of my home page, to practice using these backgrounds click here to see. I thought it looked great! What do you think?

I tried to make the backgrounds smaller, without much success, because my Windows Live Writer does recognize the backgrounds as pictures, they are tables and I haven't worked with them before today. I thought it was strange when I copied the table, only to have it show up as the dreaded X in the box on my writer. So I upload the image to my ImageShack page to get this:

Of course you know what the problem with this is? That's right, it doesn't work, it's just a picture, it loses all the functions of the background table. So it was back to the drawing board, to figure something else out. All the while I am trying to keep my patience, and thinking to myself, It will be fine, remember you are going to learn something today! I don't really understand why the writer can't show the picture, if you click the picture in the folder, it says it's a JPEG Image and will open it with Adobe Photoshop.

I am determined to figure out a way to use these background tables, I would like to make some of my own from pictures that I like. Not that I don't think that these are beautiful, because I do, they are great! I just have to figure out how to use them that's all.

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Search My Blog

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:47:38 GMT

This has got to be the greatest gadget "Search My Blog" and to think that it has been available since November and I just installed it yesterday. Now all I have to do is write something that someone might want to search for (smile). I think this gadget is awesome and it's going to save me a lot of time looking for previous entries. No more trying to remember what month I wrote this, or searching for that, just type in what you are looking for and it finds it, outstanding!

Well, that's all I really had to say today, now what? I go thought this everyday, what should I write about? What does anyone want to see, know, do? Help me out here! What this is all about is finding new interests (That link is from my new search gadget) and I am floundering with that question. I have wanted to post a couple of pictures that I have saved for just such an occasion. So, I might just as well use them to fill in the rest of my post for today.

This is a picture of Detroit from Wikipedia:

Right now the big event happening here is the Detroit Auto Show and I use to go every year. I was always interested in new vehicles and I would get so excited to see what the future vehicles were going to look like. But lately I seem to have lost interest in even looking at them. I have been satisfied with just seeing them on T.V., which really isn't the same as actually seeing the vehicles close up; touching and getting that new car smell in your nose.

But I digress, what I wanted to show you is this picture that I took of the same scene:

The picture above is beautiful, isn't it? The reason that I wanted to show everyone my picture is because it looks like the photos were taken from approximately the same location in Canada. I don't remember actually taking this picture, it was quite awhile ago. The camera I used was set on landscape and has an auto zoom lens and I thought that it was quite a coincidence to have the ship in the right location to make this a picture that I really like.

I have had these photos saved on my computer for awhile now and I was going to use them as a last resort. You know, like when I didn't have anything to write about and now that I have used them I feel like OK now what am I going to have for a back up. Those of you who Blog everyday, I am sure, will understand what I am talking about.

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Fixing Errors

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:53:39 GMT

I have been "Fixing Errors" in my Blog entries this morning, and I will more than likely be correcting them, as I become aware of them, even more in the future. It all started today when I found a Google search on my statistics page with the error that I am talking about on it. I want to Thank whoever it was that did the search that brought this error to my attention so that I could correct it before it got any further.

I make a lot of errors and I am embarrassed by them but the thing that I don't want to do is give up trying to learn because I make an error. I made an error in yesterday's Blog entry and I was going to leave it that way, but then today being made aware of this other error that I had made, I realized that the best thing to do when you make a mistake is to fix it, if you can. This isn't what I was going to write about today but it does have some similarity to the subject.

I had talked about getting Internet Explorer errors in a previous Blog entry and that's what I wanted to write about today. But the point that I wanted to make is: If you don't correct errors now they will only be compounded in the future and be that much harder to correct, the nip it in the bud theory. This is the error that I keep getting and I did get a picture of it:

This is what it says, "Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are Sorry for the inconvenience.

If you were in the middle of something, the information you were working on might be lost.

Please tell Microsoft about this problem.

We have created an error report that you can send to help us improve Internet Explorer. We will treat this report as confidential and anonymous.

To see what data this error reports contains, click here."

On the suggestion from the click here I downloaded the new Adobe Flash Player but I am still getting the errors today, so I don't know what to think now. Errors can come from a lot of things; lack of knowledge, incompatibility of software, something not working properly or in my case not concentrating enough on what I am doing and making a mistake. I think the real error would be not to keep trying to "Learn Something New" and give up! Me trying to learn and "Fixing Errors."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

The Digital Abyss

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:47:20 GMT

You will never guess who came back from "The Digital Abyss" again? That's right The Old Sony! I don't know how long it will be around this time and it is very eerie that it happened so close to Halloween, it makes me think that it is possessed or something. Actually, I don't know what to think about what's going on around here, I can hear that Twilight Zone music playing.

(Click here for YouTube Twilight Zone video)

Other Old Sony entries:

Why, today? I try to turn it on, periodically, to see if it is going to let me reload the software, whenever I am feeling lucky, or if I am having good vibes, but it never works. Then today when I turned it on it let me reload the software, like there is nothing wrong with it.

Right now I am think this is the kind of thing that happens in The Twilight Zone, Stephen King novels or M. Night Shyamalan's movies not something that is going on in my life, it's too weird! I keep wonder if there's some kind of a lesson that I am suppose to be learning from this ... like The Law of Attraction is saying be patient and think good thoughts and anything is possible. Me writing about the return of the old Sony from "The Digital Abyss."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Not Responding Website?

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:07:13 GMT

I have been to a lot of Websites lately that lock up my browser and it says on title of the page that it is (Not Responding), what's a "Not Responding Website?" I tried to find any information that I could on what makes a Website Not Responding and I couldn't find any explanation to the problem. When I am on a Not Responding page my cursor goes into the hour glass configuration and I can't do anything, like close the page. The only thing that I have found to release the browser is to do a Control+Alt+Delete.

That opens the Windows Task Manager and then I click on the End Task which opens up another window asking if I want to End Task and I click that. Then another window opens and it asks if I want to report this Not Responding page to Microsoft. I always say yes but the thing about the whole problem is why can't I find any information about what is going on? I haven't spent a lot of time searching for the information, but I hear people taking about Not Responding pages all the time.

I looked in Wikipedia, I did a Web search, I did a Blog search and I did a search in Microsoft Help and Support. But I didn't find any answers to what causes it, what's the correct way to close a Not Responding Website. What's the big secret about it? Microsoft is getting all those reports on Not Responding pages, how come I can't find any information about the problem. I probably need to take more time and really dig into the problem to finding the information that I am looking for. But I don't think that it should be this hard to find out about a problem that everyone has all the time, do you? Me asking, "Do you ever have problems with a "Not Responding Website?"

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Thank You Oakland Wireless

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:53:21 GMT

My Internet service was out today and there is a new provider in the area (Oakland Wireless) and I just wanted to say, "Thank You Oakland Wireless." I don't know why but I got some kind of gratification out of having an on Line Chat with my Internet Service Provider, when they weren't the ones providing the service. The fact that you could be anywhere, where the service is available, and get on line is an amazing accomplishment.

Getting an account was simple and easy, I didn't have to call anyone or do anything that was difficult. I have a laptop computer with a built in Wireless Network and all I had to do was double click and open the Connection Status. Click View Wireless Networks select Oakland Wireless and fill out some basic information and I was on the Internet, it was that easy. Now I don't know all the details about what is going on with making the Internet available to everyone and I am sure that there is some controversy about it. All I know is that it is available and I used it today.

I will probably use it more often now that I have my account set up, I could go to the park and chat on line to friends or just surf the Internet. It opens up a whole new world for people who might have a computer and want to cut back on the expense of having an Internet Service Provider. I know, it sounds too good to be true but I am not looking a "gift horse in the mouth" are you? Me saying, "Thank You Oakland Wireless."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Google Error

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 20:13:35 GMT

Does anyone know what this "Google Error" is all about? I just ran my McAfee and it didn't find a computer virus or any spyware. Is it just some ambiguous error that they're using or what?

Here's what it looks like:

And this is what it says:

Google Error

We're sorry...
... but your query looks similar to automated requests from a computer virus or spyware application. To protect our users, we can't process your request right now.

We'll restore your access as quickly as possible, so try again soon. In the meantime, if you suspect that your computer or network has been infected, you might want to run a virus checker or spyware remover to make sure that your systems are free of viruses and other spurious software.

We apologize for the inconvenience, and hope we'll see you again on Google.

Does anyone know the answer to my question? Maybe I should post it in Live QnA and see if anyone can find out the answer. Me asking about this "Google Error."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

A Shout Box Widget

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 20:07:39 GMT

I am always trying to make it easier for people to communicate their thoughts to me; today I added "A Shout Box Widget" to my Windows Live Space page. I am hoping that the people who don't have a Windows Live ID might be able to use it to leave me a message, if they so desire. I got the idea from Bobby, he has one on his site, and it seems to work pretty good, I used it one time over there. I was really surprised that it worked at all in my Windows Live Space site because usually there's always some kind of problem with Widgets that aren't designed for Windows Live Space sites.

It doesn't work like it's designed to work here though you have to open a Window to use it but the messages show up so I thought I would leave it on my page and see if anyone uses it. Adding it to my page was really pretty easy, I just opened a new HTML module and called it (Trying to Add a Message Board) and open an account with ShoutMix and copied the code that they provide for the widget into the module and it looks like this:

I put some test messages on the ShoutBox just to see if it was going to work or not. I think it's a great idea because not everyone has a Windows Live ID and I see their attempts to leave messages on my statistics page, I always wonder what they were going to say. If you read this Blog entry please leave me a message on the ShoutBox Widget to let me know you were here. You can leave your message anonymously, as a Guest, or you can put your web address in so I can return your visit.

Here's the problem with using the ShoutBox: You have to click the Open ShoutBox Window! In order to use it. Me trying out "A Shout Box Widget."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

In the Dark

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:07:20 GMT

I don't know what happened yesterday but it left me feeling like I was being kept "In the Dark" to whatever it was that was going on. And this is what I wrote yesterday: One of those Days and I am so glad to be rid of that feeling but I can't help but wonder: What really happened yesterday? I feel like a mushroom; you know, fed fertilizer and kept in the dark as to what was really happening, with my computer, my Internet being slow and the strangest feeling that something bad was going to happen.

I ended up contacting my Internet Service Provider because I just couldn't get things to work, at first I tried the this:

LiveAssist Transcript
Problem : Internet connection is slow
Jeff > Internet connection is slow
Terry > Hello Jeff_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Terry. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Terry > How can I help you today?
Jeff_ > My Internet connection is slow
Terry > I'm sorry to hear that Jeff. Please bear with me for a moment while I look into that for you.
Jeff_ > Thank you Terry
Terry > I just ran a test on your connection and the speed perfectly fine.
Terry > When was the last time you ran a scan for viruss or spyware?
Jeff_ > 8/4/2007
Terry > Ok.
Terry > That was for virus's and spyware or just virus's?
Jeff_ > Everything
Terry > Ok.
Terry > were are you noticing the speed issue?
Jeff_ > It just started at about 1:00 pm
Jeff_ > The pages take a long time to load.
Terry > Ok. do you know how to do a ping test?
Jeff_ > No
Terry > Ok. on the computer, click on the Start button and then Run. In the window that appears, type cmd and then press enter. That will bring up a black window. In there, type: ping 216.52.244.33 and then press enter and let me know what the average roundtrip time in MS was.
Jeff_ > Request Timed Out

Terry> Ok. have you tried to reboot the modem and your computer?
Jeff_ > Yes
Terry > Are you using a router at all?
Terry > Can you check your firewall software and see when it last updated?
Jeff_ > Yes
Jeff_ > OK
Jeff_ > 8/4/2007 update
Terry > Try connecting the computer directly to the modem and then reboot the modem and see what happens.
Jeff_ > OK
Terry > Analyst has closed chat and left the room

And of course we got disconnected when I tried connecting my computer directly into the modem because I was connected through the wireless modem. I think if I could have figured out the Ethernet connection I would have been fine but it took too long and Terry had to close the chat room.

I called them back on the phone and had a great Customer Service Representative help me, I wish I could remembered his name (Lets say it's Adam) anyway they have that on record. I talked to Adam about what they would call an Id ten T problem; that's "IDIOT" if you don't know, but I must have push this button on the top of my modem when I was trying to connect it directly to the computer. That put the modem in a Standby mode and the green lights were out on it, that's why I called back.

The weirdest thing was that after I ran the virus scan and it deleted those programs from my computer. It started working fine: Whether it was the a virus, something that they took care of at their end or some other rare sequence of events, that, I will never know. Me writing about being "In the Dark."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

One of those Days

Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:21:25 GMT

I had a feeling when I got up this morning that it was going to be "One of those Days" and no matter what I did to try to change that feeling it, just kept getting worse. It started off with just a sense, a feeling, and a premonition that all is not right in the Universe in some way; does that sound strange to you? Or have you ever had days like this?

Maybe it was just because it was raining when I woke up this morning and it has been quite a while since we have had any rain here. You know; kind of like a blues feeling but that wasn't really it, the feeling was more like something that's not good is looming over your head. I still haven't been able to shake that feeling, it could be because I am having problems with my computer being really slow today for some reason.

I am running the virus scan again today to see if that finds anything wrong and it found 30 (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and Removed them, I am hoping that one of them was causing the problem. If that doesn't help the next step is to try System Restore but I can't figure out why all of a sudden it just started lagging. I was laughing so hard this morning reading Karen's article about upgrading her software but it really isn't funny that the software isn't more compatible with each other. Me having "One of those Days."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

What is a WJSXHWAT?

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 21:03:24 GMT

I can't find any information on "What is a WJSXHWAT?" While I was Reinstalling McAfee yesterday; by the way everything went fine, I found this Non-Plug-And-Play driver program. I guess that is what a WJSXHWAT is I have no idea what it actually is but it looks like this:

I always think that it is strange when you can't find any information on the Internet about something, so I guess I will be the first one to put my hand up in the class and make a fool of myself and say, "What is this?" I tried a Microsoft search: There are no documents that match your search for "WJSXHWAT". When I ran the virus scan on my computer after I Reinstalled the McAfee software it found 45 different types of Cookies it referred to them as (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and deleted them.

Maybe this is just an obsolete driver and I should delete it but I don't know that for sure and I can't find anything about this program. I would have never found it if I hadn't looked at the Microsoft support page and seen how to get there, it is quite a trip. I can't remember exactly how I found out how to get where this is located but it goes like this: Start/Control Panel/System/Device Manager/View/Show hidden devices/Non-Plug and Play Drivers and it has an exclamation mark in a yellow circle on it. Me asking, "Do you know what I should do with this or "What is a WJSXHWAT?"

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Reinstalling McAfee

Sat, 04 Aug 2007 17:53:15 GMT

I am not looking forward to this; when I wrote McAfee (Fix It) I thought that they would be able to do it but today they are telling me that I need to (Fix It) by "Reinstalling McAfee." I wanted to get my Blog entry in for today because who knows what is going to happen when I Uninstall and Reinstall McAfee. My thoughts on what happened are McAfee tried to upgrade their SecurityCenter with out having everyone Uninstall it and Reinstall it but that is just my thoughts on what happened. I wonder: Will we ever know what really happened?

Even though McAfee says, "We are still fully protected." The SecurityCenter has lost its ability to function and fix what is wrong and I really have no choice but to do what they say that I must do to (Fix It). Besides I am tired of see this Icon in my toolbar reminding me that the problem exists.

Picture of the Icon that is in my toolbar:

I feel like I have Catastrophized the situation long enough now and if you are interested in the latest:

Announcement

McAfee is aware of issues tied to recent updates. Follow the steps below to restore your product to full functionality.
If the browser of the affected computer cannot access most web pages, point it to: https://us.mcafee.com/root/fix.html. This is a secure link (https) which should be accessible. Here you will find instructions to correct the issue.
For all other issues possibly linked to the recent updates, click "More>>" below.

More>>

I want Thank all of the visitors that I had that viewed my McAfee (Fix It) article, evidently there were a lot more people affected by this than I had thought because of the number of hits that I received from the article. If I don't post an entry tomorrow you will know that I have crashed and burned in my attempt to Uninstall and Reinstall McAfee but there I go again Catastrophizing. I hope that everyone will wish me "Good Luck" today because I feel that I will truly need it. Me "Reinstalling McAfee."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

Microsoft Market Research

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:53:18 GMT

Last night I was on the Windows Live™ for Windows Mobile® page and I said that I would take a Microsoft Market Research survey after I was through looking at the page. I signed up to do Research surveys and now today I am wondering what the Research will be about; Will I be interested? Will I want to participate? All these questions, like what have I gotten myself into? Do you participate in on line surveys? I am looking at it and thinking I should give it a try; I might even "Learn Something New" and that would be a good thing.

I am always saying how I want to "Find New Interests" but I don't think that I will be able to contribute anything that might help them out. All I can do is give it a try and see what it is all about, who knows I might like it. The survey that I took last night was really long; I wonder if they are all going to be like that, besides what else have I got to do?

I have really enjoyed my Widows Live Spaces site and writing in my Blog everyday. I would have never thought that I would be doing this a few years ago, but I guess what you're interested in today can change in the future. I finished writing my [Fiction] Friday entry for tomorrow today and I would have never thought that I would like participating in a writing MeMe either, but I am and I am having fun doing it too. Me writing about joining "Microsoft Market Research."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space

My new cell Phone

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:21:24 GMT

I have always wanted one of these Motorola RAZR V3 - Silver cell phones and I finally got "My new cell Phone." The only problem is I don't know how to use it; here is what the Manual looks like. Do any of you feel overwhelmed by technology? I know that I do, it just seems like every thing is getting so complicated lately. Does anyone else feel the same way I do or is it just me?

I never even figured out all the features on the last cell phone that I had and this has even more features on it. I mean it is like I can't get use to anything and by the time I figure out how to work the (whatever it is) it is obsolete. Maybe I am just getting to old; I think the advancements in technology are awesome but at the same time I feel like if I didn't get the next (whatever it is) that comes out I will lose the ability to use it.

I like the word Catastrophizing although it isn't really a word according to the dictionary but here is what it means: It's a Catastrophe! The Fine Art of Catastrophizing; I think that article gives you a good idea of what I am trying to say here. And I am so guilty of this kind of thinking (not that I want to be) but I really do make a lot more out of things in my mind than anyone should. Well I think I'll quit Catastrophizing over learning how to use this new cell phone and keep trying to learn how to use the new features that it has. Me writing about "My new cell Phone."

Thanks for Listening,

Jeff

My Unique Life in Windows Live Space