blog.thomaspan.com » Hardware

Hey, We Are On DST!

Thomas — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 07:33:18 +0000

Hey, I lived through this year’s DST excitement, which happened in Sunday. It was like a mini-Y2K since we had to work so hard to patch all the computer hardware and software to make sure that the whole Internet business wouldn’t be affected after the new DST change — thanks to Energy Policy Act of 2005. I even got phone call and SMS message from cell phone company, urging me to patch my Treo. Life cannot be more excited!

So, what’s the hype behind all the craziness to put 4 more weeks under DST? I know that DST stands for Daylight Saving Time. Mysteriously, it doesn’t save any energy in my life. As a typical software engineer, I spend most of the time sitting before a computer inside a building. Since I cannot afford a fancy house with big windows and/or glass walls, I have to keep lights on to protect my eyes, regardless of outdoor weather conditions.

Did I mention that the new DST doesn’t save energe? The quote below is taken from Section 110 of the energy bill:

Amends the Uniform Time Act of 1966 to extend standard daylight time from March to November (currently it runs from April to October). Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the impact of this extension upon energy consumption in the United States. Retains the right of Congress to revert Daylight Saving Time back to the 2005 time schedules.

Folks, I am really sorry. I need to save more energy under DST. Because, if this year’s setup doesn’t work out for our nation, we have to revert everything back next year. Damn it! It was so easy for us to save energy in the good old days. More, we didn’t have computers to worry about.

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Cold Weather Makes My Electronics Sneeze

Thomas — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 09:54:33 +0000

Today’s cold weather not only make me sneeze, but also makes my electronics sneeze: Broadband connection from Comcast dropped. Desktop computer failed to restart. Gadget battery died quickly. Hey, the temperature hasn’t reached 0 degree celsius. But, wait! It is not about normal electronics. All these are hi-tech related. How ironic it is?!

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Apple Powerbook Memory Upgrade

Thomas — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 02:15:00 +0000

This is a mini Howto of upgrading memory for Apple Powerbooks. First, you need a Phillips Head #00 screwdriver. Secondly, you need an Apple powerbook for sure. Last but not least, you must have the right type of SO-DIMM memory for the upgrade. I have made a mistake before, orderting the wrong memory.

Apple has provided detailed do-it-yourself help:

Steps are listed as the following:
1. Discharge the static electricity built in your body before the operation.

2. Have everything ready:

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3. Press the screwdriver hard against the screw when turning:

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4. Add the new memory chip:

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5. Start the mac and check the system physical memory via About This Mac.

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Short Live the Computers!

Thomas — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 23:03:21 +0000

Year by year, computer hardware becomes cheaper with more features, and more capacity. However, it hasn’t prevented users from buying lemons, even including famous brands, such as Apple, and IBM. I have written a blog talking about harddrive failure of my just-over-one-year Apple powerbook.

Last month, I encountered another lemon. The computer that I have assembled early this year had a motherboard failure. Yes, it is true that everything becomes cheaper and cheaper. Thus, it wouldn’t cost you a fortune. However, you have to sacrifice part of your valuable leisure time, which might remind us how hard we could enjoy TV during old days. Now TV could easily last more than 5 years. There is still a long way for computers to play a catch-up game.

So, how could we deal with yet short-lived computers? It is always worth paying extra attention. For example, I have bought an iCurve stand plus a desktop fan for my Apple powerbook after its harddrive bust. It is also important not to jump into new innovative products if one wants to avoid hassle. I am enjoying my 4th generation iPod a lot. In the mean time, I regret the purchase of the fancy lemon motherboard.

Finally, I list symptoms for various hardware failures as the following to conclude this blog:

CPU: There would be a beep from motherboard during reboot. Video display would have further hints.
Motherboard: The machine cannot reboot. There is no video display neither. However, there could be beeps.
Harddrive: There would be strange sounds. Sometimes, it sounds like failure of CPU fans. Though, reboot is impossible.
Video Card: Motherboard would definitely beep without video display.

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