My syslog entries on Ubuntu x64 revealed lots of errors over the last month, specifically in relation to USB errors.
Jan 23 15:23:52 colossus kernel: [ 1806.970046] usb 1-1: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
Jan 23 15:23:52 colossus kernel: [ 1807.131881] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Unhandled error code
Jan 23 15:23:52 colossus kernel: [ 1807.131888] sd 4:0:0:0: [sdb] Result: hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK
Jan 23 15:23:52 colossus kernel: [ 1807.131894] end_request: I/O error, dev sdb, sector 205518871
Jan 23 15:24:53 colossus kernel: [ 1867.600085] usb 1-1: reset high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 2
These USB resets caused either of my two external HDDs to make the dreaded clicking noise, which made me suspect that either one or both of them might be faulty. Both drives were normally plugged into the back of the server on the motherboard itself, which has 4 ports available.
This time, due to work commitments, I had been ferrying my disk drive around and therefore found it more convenient to plug into the front mounted USB2 hub that I'd installed a couple of years ago.
After doing the usual rounds on the forums, quite a few posters were suggesting some physical damage to the hard disks whilst others suggested it could be an NTFS problem. A small percentage of posters suggested that using a hub may be the cause of the problems. After exhausting the first two options, I then plugged both HDDs into the motherboard USB ports and lo and behold, all was working fine again.
JG
Monday, 25 January 2010
Skype on Ubuntu Linux, plus pulseaudio problems.
After experiencing a load of hassle in the past with regards to getting Skype working at all on my 64 bit install of Ubuntu (Karmic Koala release), I was pleased to find that Skype now offer a 64 bit version to download.
After a quick one-button install, I was up and running. It seems to run even sweeter on Ubuntu, compared to Windows. Top marks to the developers for supporting this platform!
Prior to this, I'd started to investigate why the sound system in use by default on Ubuntu (pulseaudio) was giving me so many problems. My system would always start with the sound muted which was very annoying, although I fixed that quickly by hacking a script together to run on boot.
What really got my goat with pulseaudio was its inability to remain stable and usable for any length of time. Music played through Winamp was hit and miss, with radio static/crackle sometimes rearing its ugly head. Don't even think about mentioning Spotify since that caused all manner of problems! My solution to the problem was rather violent (in UNIX terms) because all I did to resolve the situation was to perform a killall on pulseaudio:
# killall pulseaudio
This would sometimes sort the problem out, but not always. After a lot of digging around on Ubuntu forums, the general consensus of opinion was that the pulseaudio system is still a 'work in progress'. Not an ideal situation I feel, so I took the executive option of removing the crud and installing a proper sound system, aka esound.
# sudo aptitude purge pulseaudio
# sudo aptitude install esound
All is now well in the world of sound on Ubuntu x64 and I am very happy that this great software seems to have fixed all of my sound problems. All the more exciting is that I can now select my webcam mic as a recording sound source. Perfection!
JG
After a quick one-button install, I was up and running. It seems to run even sweeter on Ubuntu, compared to Windows. Top marks to the developers for supporting this platform!
Prior to this, I'd started to investigate why the sound system in use by default on Ubuntu (pulseaudio) was giving me so many problems. My system would always start with the sound muted which was very annoying, although I fixed that quickly by hacking a script together to run on boot.
What really got my goat with pulseaudio was its inability to remain stable and usable for any length of time. Music played through Winamp was hit and miss, with radio static/crackle sometimes rearing its ugly head. Don't even think about mentioning Spotify since that caused all manner of problems! My solution to the problem was rather violent (in UNIX terms) because all I did to resolve the situation was to perform a killall on pulseaudio:
# killall pulseaudio
This would sometimes sort the problem out, but not always. After a lot of digging around on Ubuntu forums, the general consensus of opinion was that the pulseaudio system is still a 'work in progress'. Not an ideal situation I feel, so I took the executive option of removing the crud and installing a proper sound system, aka esound.
# sudo aptitude purge pulseaudio
# sudo aptitude install esound
All is now well in the world of sound on Ubuntu x64 and I am very happy that this great software seems to have fixed all of my sound problems. All the more exciting is that I can now select my webcam mic as a recording sound source. Perfection!
JG
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Mark - bruv would have been 40 today!
It's my dear bruv's birthday today and it made me wonder how things would have turned out had he still been around?
A lot has happened in the last 10 years or so since he departed this earth. It's a shame he never got the chance to meet Ale, or see how his nephew and nieces have developed. There's not a day that goes by without me thinking about him in some way, shape or form and I miss him dearly.
I just hope that he made the right decision for himself and that he's happy where he is...
JB x
A lot has happened in the last 10 years or so since he departed this earth. It's a shame he never got the chance to meet Ale, or see how his nephew and nieces have developed. There's not a day that goes by without me thinking about him in some way, shape or form and I miss him dearly.
I just hope that he made the right decision for himself and that he's happy where he is...
JB x
Saturday, 24 October 2009
AVG moaning at you?
Have you been on the end of adverts from AVG warning that support for version 8.5 (the current version) is being withdrawn?
Well, as per usual it seems like the staff at AVG try their hardest to make it as complicated as possible for people to upgrade from the free version 8.5 to the new free version 9.0
Most of the website is designed in a way that channels you towards downloading 9.0, so you get the latest PAID version.
Anyway, here's the shortcut link to their website. Download the 72Mb AVG9 FREE Edition install file here:
http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download?prd=afg#tba2
Hope this helps.
JG
Well, as per usual it seems like the staff at AVG try their hardest to make it as complicated as possible for people to upgrade from the free version 8.5 to the new free version 9.0
Most of the website is designed in a way that channels you towards downloading 9.0, so you get the latest PAID version.
Anyway, here's the shortcut link to their website. Download the 72Mb AVG9 FREE Edition install file here:
http://free.avg.com/ww-en/download?prd=afg#tba2
Hope this helps.
JG
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Ubuntu Firefox - bus error?
Annoyingly, I was hit with a problem after an update via update-manager on Ubuntu.
Firefox just wouldn't start and when I invoked it via a korn shell, I received the rather terse error 'Bus error' and nothing else. How wonderfully educational.
I took the option of installing Galeon, and then got hit with the same error. In the end, I installed Lynx (great text browser) and had a poke around.
My eventual 'solution' was to check the updates history, and then uninstall Firefox via Synaptic. Some of the related programs that were uninstalled were ubifox and xulrunner.
Afterwards, I was able to start Firefox again - to my relief.
Firefox just wouldn't start and when I invoked it via a korn shell, I received the rather terse error 'Bus error' and nothing else. How wonderfully educational.
I took the option of installing Galeon, and then got hit with the same error. In the end, I installed Lynx (great text browser) and had a poke around.
My eventual 'solution' was to check the updates history, and then uninstall Firefox via Synaptic. Some of the related programs that were uninstalled were ubifox and xulrunner.
Afterwards, I was able to start Firefox again - to my relief.
Saturday, 5 September 2009
USB batteries - do your bit for the environment!
I've always tried to use rechargeable batteries, and it must have been at least 15 years since I felt the need to buy anything else.
I'm known to some as Gadget Boy and I was asked the other day about my USB batteries. I've had 4 of them now, and purchased them around 2 years ago. I'll have to admit that they are quite expensive at around £10 for just two AA size batteries!
USB batteries - UK based website
Still, they are very, very useful things to have. Run out of battery power? Simply stick them in a laptop, your PlayStation3, your PC, in fact anywhere that has a USB port. They start charging immediately (solid yellow light) and then turn to a flashing light whilst trickle-charging.
Whoever had the bright idea to make these things in the first place was a genius.
I'm known to some as Gadget Boy and I was asked the other day about my USB batteries. I've had 4 of them now, and purchased them around 2 years ago. I'll have to admit that they are quite expensive at around £10 for just two AA size batteries!
USB batteries - UK based website
Still, they are very, very useful things to have. Run out of battery power? Simply stick them in a laptop, your PlayStation3, your PC, in fact anywhere that has a USB port. They start charging immediately (solid yellow light) and then turn to a flashing light whilst trickle-charging.
Whoever had the bright idea to make these things in the first place was a genius.
Saturday, 22 August 2009
It's a boat, not a ship
Yesterday really was the BIG day for my mate Ed, who has been busy building a small boat for the last year or so. And it's in his garage in Bromley, of all places.
We went to Chobham to pick up his new trailer from De Graff Trailers, near to Langland Stud Farm. I must admit that I was slightly concerned at the bulk of the trailer sitting atop my roof rack on the Audi badboy, but it was as stable as a rock - as you can see from the pictures.
Ed had a slight problem earlier in the day when he parked up outside my gaff as he had to call a taxi to get him to the pavement! Photographic evidence is there for all to see...
That's enough exertion for one day, I've decided I'm going to have a very lazy day today :-)
JB
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
UK ISP speeds - July 2009 Ofcom report
Interesting results shown below, that were released today:
HOW UK ISPS COMPARE
All services at 8Mbit/s except Virgin Media at 10Mbps
Source: Ofcom
AOL are slower than O2, Orange, Plusnet, Sky, Talktalk, Virgin
BT are slower than O2, Virgin Media and faster than Tiscali
O2 are slower than Virgin Media, and faster than AOL, BT, Tiscali
Orange are slower than Virgin,and faster than AOL, Tiscali
Plusnet are slower than Virgin, and faster than AOL, Tiscali
Sky are slower than Virgin, and faster than AOL, Tiscali
Talktalk are slower than Virgin, and are faster than AOL, Tiscali
Tiscali are slower than BT, O2, Orange, Plusnet, Sky, Talktalk, Virgin
Virgin are faster than AOL, BT, O2, Orange, Plusnet, Sky, Talktalk, Tiscali
Lucky I'm on Virgin! :-)
HOW UK ISPS COMPARE
All services at 8Mbit/s except Virgin Media at 10Mbps
Source: Ofcom
AOL are slower than O2, Orange, Plusnet, Sky, Talktalk, Virgin
BT are slower than O2, Virgin Media and faster than Tiscali
O2 are slower than Virgin Media, and faster than AOL, BT, Tiscali
Orange are slower than Virgin,and faster than AOL, Tiscali
Plusnet are slower than Virgin, and faster than AOL, Tiscali
Sky are slower than Virgin, and faster than AOL, Tiscali
Talktalk are slower than Virgin, and are faster than AOL, Tiscali
Tiscali are slower than BT, O2, Orange, Plusnet, Sky, Talktalk, Virgin
Virgin are faster than AOL, BT, O2, Orange, Plusnet, Sky, Talktalk, Tiscali
Lucky I'm on Virgin! :-)
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Virgin Broadband - upgraded!
Today I ran a speedtest and was pleasantly surprised to see that my free upgrade from 2Mbps to 10Mbps had been implemented.
Can't ask for anymore really can I? :-)
Well done Virgin.
Can't ask for anymore really can I? :-)
Well done Virgin.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
New flat UK plug
I saw this video recently of a designer's attempt at a new style of UK 3-pin plug.
See the video here
The UK plug is acknowledged as one of the most sturdy and safe electrical plugs in use in the world today, but this new flat-style plug is very interesting - especially useful for travellers, and also for use in the home.
My last plug count for the computer desk was 18 plugs!
See the video here
The UK plug is acknowledged as one of the most sturdy and safe electrical plugs in use in the world today, but this new flat-style plug is very interesting - especially useful for travellers, and also for use in the home.
My last plug count for the computer desk was 18 plugs!
Monday, 8 June 2009
My new ISP - much better
Here's the test results from Speedtest.net
Same line speed of 2Mbps, but it only costs 1/4 as much and the latency is 37ms as opposed to 337ms! That's nearly 10 times better than ANTEL.
My Virgin cable internet is due to be upgraded from 2Mbps to 10Mbps at no cost during June 2009.
Same line speed of 2Mbps, but it only costs 1/4 as much and the latency is 37ms as opposed to 337ms! That's nearly 10 times better than ANTEL.
My Virgin cable internet is due to be upgraded from 2Mbps to 10Mbps at no cost during June 2009.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Sony - excellent Customer Care
I had the pleasure of taking a call from someone at Sony CS today.
They rang me to apologise for all the problems I'd had with my PS3, and offered me a free game, cancelled my subscription to their 'ContinuousPlay' service, and re-instated the 12 month guarantee, effective immediately.
An excellent response from them, and it's merely confirmed in my mind that they are great to deal with -- it's nice to see that instead of seeing someone as customer XYZ, they've actually managed to renew my faith in the company.
Well done SONY, I hope they treat other customers in a similar manner. If they do, then they will have very happy customers.
Top hole! I'm off to play some Call of Duty again hehe ;-)
They rang me to apologise for all the problems I'd had with my PS3, and offered me a free game, cancelled my subscription to their 'ContinuousPlay' service, and re-instated the 12 month guarantee, effective immediately.
An excellent response from them, and it's merely confirmed in my mind that they are great to deal with -- it's nice to see that instead of seeing someone as customer XYZ, they've actually managed to renew my faith in the company.
Well done SONY, I hope they treat other customers in a similar manner. If they do, then they will have very happy customers.
Top hole! I'm off to play some Call of Duty again hehe ;-)
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Sony PS3 dead again (3rd time)
My play time suddenly ended yesterday when the PS3 decided to go all 'borked' on me.
Same problem, the feared YLOD (yellow light of death, and 3 beeps).
I'll be on to Sony UK Customer Care about this, since it was only replaced in December 2008. That was a factory refurbished unit apparently, but it looked like new to my untrained eye. So that's 4 months use... for the flagship product.
There HAS to be a design fault with this 60Gb model. Friends that have the 40Gb model have had no problems.
Same problem, the feared YLOD (yellow light of death, and 3 beeps).
I'll be on to Sony UK Customer Care about this, since it was only replaced in December 2008. That was a factory refurbished unit apparently, but it looked like new to my untrained eye. So that's 4 months use... for the flagship product.
There HAS to be a design fault with this 60Gb model. Friends that have the 40Gb model have had no problems.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Windows 7 (RC) hangs on boot with external monitor
I have installed Windows 7 (Release Candidate - Build 7100) on my laptop and the install went through fine. However, booting into Windows 7 results in a black screen with the Windows logo showing, every single time.
It will sit there all day long if you leave it, but I lost my patience after 20 minutes. Windows 7 will then complain on reboot that it wants to fix your computer by doing a 'Start repair" but hold on.... it will fix things temporarily but you'll be back to square 1 when you reboot.
It would seem that Windows 7 gets easily confused by the fact you have a second external monitor connected. Now I would have thought that if XP can successfully install and run without problems, then the new all singing and dancing techno kid on the block would be able to do the same, without breaking into a sweat. Not so.
To fix the problem, I rebooted the laptop without the second external monitor plugged in. I then shut it all down cleanly and powered off. I connected the second external monitor (which incidentally I use as my MAIN display) and booted up again.
All fixed.
I cannot believe that Microsoft made such a stupid error, and a basic one at that. Most, if not all laptops that I have encountered on my travels have had a VGA port on the back for rigging up to an external monitor.
Why it doesn't complain about it at install time is anyone's guess.
It will sit there all day long if you leave it, but I lost my patience after 20 minutes. Windows 7 will then complain on reboot that it wants to fix your computer by doing a 'Start repair" but hold on.... it will fix things temporarily but you'll be back to square 1 when you reboot.
It would seem that Windows 7 gets easily confused by the fact you have a second external monitor connected. Now I would have thought that if XP can successfully install and run without problems, then the new all singing and dancing techno kid on the block would be able to do the same, without breaking into a sweat. Not so.
To fix the problem, I rebooted the laptop without the second external monitor plugged in. I then shut it all down cleanly and powered off. I connected the second external monitor (which incidentally I use as my MAIN display) and booted up again.
All fixed.
I cannot believe that Microsoft made such a stupid error, and a basic one at that. Most, if not all laptops that I have encountered on my travels have had a VGA port on the back for rigging up to an external monitor.
Why it doesn't complain about it at install time is anyone's guess.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty and high CPU on xorg
I'd noticed recently that my CPU usage had crept up on my ACER laptop with an ATI graphics chip and was slowing down simple things like scrolling. I switched off my folding@home client straight away, and then delved deeper.
I tried the usual fix-all of moving my .gconf path so it would be recreated next time I started the Gnome GUI but this made no difference.
I discovered an option however on the Xorg file xorg.conf which controls the graphical setup. Simply adding the following 2 lines to my xorg.conf file and then restarting gdm and all was back to normal. I love it when a problem like this can be fixed by typing 2 lines into vi ;-)
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "ati"
Option "Accel"
Option "AccelMethod" "XAA"
Sweet potatoes, as they say.
JB
I tried the usual fix-all of moving my .gconf path so it would be recreated next time I started the Gnome GUI but this made no difference.
I discovered an option however on the Xorg file xorg.conf which controls the graphical setup. Simply adding the following 2 lines to my xorg.conf file and then restarting gdm and all was back to normal. I love it when a problem like this can be fixed by typing 2 lines into vi ;-)
Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "ati"
Option "Accel"
Option "AccelMethod" "XAA"
Sweet potatoes, as they say.
JB
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Swine flu and the media
I saw this recently after it was sent to me by Maggie of 'Maggie & Dave' fame... and I thought I'd share it with you.
It just seems to sum up the massive media exposure given to the subject, and dare I say it - perhaps too much?
Funny though!
JB
Thursday, 23 April 2009
New release of UBUNTU
There's an upcoming release of UBUNTU, which is an alternative operating system to Windows that I run on both my laptop and PLAYSTATION3. I currently use 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) but the new version 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) is due for release very shortly:
I've already installed the upgrade by using the development version and it's rock solid. I'm currently upgrading the PLAYSTATION3 as I write.
As an alternative to the world of Windows, I thoroughly recommend it. It's free, it's open source and thoroughly reliable. Hasn't crashed on me once in 18 months of use.
JB
I've already installed the upgrade by using the development version and it's rock solid. I'm currently upgrading the PLAYSTATION3 as I write.
As an alternative to the world of Windows, I thoroughly recommend it. It's free, it's open source and thoroughly reliable. Hasn't crashed on me once in 18 months of use.
JB
Friday, 17 April 2009
Pathetic ANTEL, my ISP
I've had reason to ring ANTEL recently, even though I don't speak Spanish - such was my frustration.
They charge me 35 GBP a month for a pony service. That's for a 2Mbps connection.
Here's a list of my recent results from Speedtest.net:
I suppose I should just be thankful I don't have to rely on it for work purposes. ANTEL are a bunch of thieves and it's money for old rope. 3 times the cost, and 10 times slower, and that's when it's supposed to be running at full tilt - which I hasten to add never happens, unless you just happen to be downloading from a site somewhere in Uruguay.
Interestingly, when I phoned them, they said they don't guarantee times/speeds outside of Uruguay. Well that's complete nonsense - do they think the internet doesn't exist outside of Uruguay? Idiots, the lot of them.
JG
They charge me 35 GBP a month for a pony service. That's for a 2Mbps connection.
Here's a list of my recent results from Speedtest.net:
I suppose I should just be thankful I don't have to rely on it for work purposes. ANTEL are a bunch of thieves and it's money for old rope. 3 times the cost, and 10 times slower, and that's when it's supposed to be running at full tilt - which I hasten to add never happens, unless you just happen to be downloading from a site somewhere in Uruguay.
Interestingly, when I phoned them, they said they don't guarantee times/speeds outside of Uruguay. Well that's complete nonsense - do they think the internet doesn't exist outside of Uruguay? Idiots, the lot of them.
JG
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Interesting stuff on Google Books
I found this whilst recently browsing the 'interweb' so I'll share it with you, if you fancy the idea of reading up about my home town of Wallington, Surrey:
Wallington (TinyURL)
I found out from this excerpt that my road (Clarendon Road) used to be called Cathcart of all things!
JG
Wallington (TinyURL)
I found out from this excerpt that my road (Clarendon Road) used to be called Cathcart of all things!
JG
Saturday, 4 April 2009
It's all go ....
Big excitement today when there was a major accident right outside where we live.
Apparently a motorcyclist and pillion passenger were trying to escape from the police, and came the wrong way down Luis Lamas and collided with a Citroen people carrier. As you can see, the people carrier was carrying a disabled person and they were stuck inside the vehicle after the accident.
I was concerned for the biker as he didn't look in a good way. His mate ran off but was soon collared by neighbours. Apparently a gun was involved, and that was used in an attempted robbery just prior to the accident.
The biker wasn't wearing a helmet but I didn't feel sorry for him after I found out what he and matey-boy had been up to with that gun of theirs...
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