Spring Fashion Show

Turns out, upgrading can become slightly addicting...

In addition to building a PC for our class project, I've found that my home computer could use a few helpful tweaks. When I was inspired to finally set up automated backup by a great cnet TFDL episode, I realized my CD-ROM was in fact just that - Read Only. No burning capability. I guess you can see how often I burn a CD or backup...(insert shameful icon here). Well, NO MORE!! I replaced my standard Dell-issued CD-ROM with a Sony DVD/ CD-WR. It was pretty smooth, all in all. Dell, IMO, has a great way of mounting drives - these green brackets that remove easily. I'm not sure this is standard on all Dells, but on my Optiplex, it's pretty great. it's made swapping the drives painless - well, not if you include when I bumped my head on the desk while retrieving screws from underneath it!

Next on my list - MEMORY UPGRADE! I never throught I would say this, but I am pretty excited to see the difference in performance! Stay tuned!

When Power Supplies Attack!!

Dead, dead, dead.

That's what this little Medusa is.
I went to restart my PC and all I got were flickering lights and a clicking sound - now that CAN'T be good! I conferred with DH and he agreed after we did multiple plug/unplug cycles that the most likely culprit was the rascal to the left.

He brought me home a nice new (to me) replacement power supply and I replaced it all by myself!! With just a little direction, but on my own! Want to know how I did it? Keep reading...

1. Unplug the PC - kinda basic, but hey, if you are working with the POWER SUPPLY folks, you really can't work plugged in...

2. Open case - anothe given, since you have to get it out. I really liked how easily the case opened on my machine (Dell Optiplex GX270 Series) and how it was hinged. Thumbs up Dell!

3. Remove mounting screws for the power supply - This was fairly simple, and the screws were easily accessible.

4. Unplug the peripherals - I unplugged, in order, so I would remember later: CD-R/DVD, Floppy Drive and the Hard Drive. Still, pretty easy stuff, you just need to follow the cables.

5. Unplug the two Motherboard connections - the big connector (P1) and the small one (P4).

6. Push the green lever to remove power supply - this is a nice feature and was really easy to use.

7. Insert new power supply and push until you hear a click. Mark old power supply as bad - this last one is my own step, just to make sure I didn't confuse them!

8. Plug in DVD-ROM, Floppy andHard Drive.

9. Plug in Motherboard connections - The small latch on the side of the P1 made for easy connection and assured me I was plugging in the right way.

10. Screw power supply to frame and close case. Power up and test!

It works!! One small step for techs, one giant leap for me!

Thanks to my DH for all his supervision and for keeping me in parts :-)

Working at it

I have been so buried in my reading and studying that I neglected to update last week - sorry!

Let's see, what can I claim is new this week?
I have been reading about System Tools today and decided to adjust my automatic tasks - I added my antivirus program to automatically update daily - that way I am sure to be protected with the most current definitions.

Also, I finally got around to installing Skype this week. I got these cool little headphones from DH and we actually had a live video chat via Skype. I have to say, it's pretty cool, and handy if you have friends or family overseas. We have the Optimum Voice option for our phone line at home, so we are only paying 29.99 a month for unlimited calling and long-distance within the US, so I wouldn't really use it for domestic calls, unless I really REALLY needed to talk with someone and the phone line was otherwise engaged. I would definitely chose Skype over my cell phone because I get terrible reception within my house. I think it's a good alternative to calling cards or long distance providers - and if I ever need to speak to someone in Denmark, I'll be sure to use it.

Three Goals for this week:
1. Pass my first exam this Wednesday - I'll be happy with 75% correct, but my competitive, obsessive side is looking for upper 90s

2. Break out the canned air and give my PC and keyboard a makeover

3. Start planning what I need to build my own PC for my term project.

Yes, I know these are some lightweight goals for the week, but I really need to catch up and study before winter break and Hudson is home for an ENTIRE WEEK!! I doubt I'll get much done when he's begging to play WoW all day every day....

May I Be Excused? My Brain is Full...

WHOA! What a week - this Mike Meyers guy (author of our class text) is kicking me around like...oh, I don't know what - a slow rodeo clown on his first day of work? How's that for a visual?
My head is swirling with buses, connectors, Pentium chips - I think I just need time to process it all.

So, what have I done this week besides ignore my eBay sales and tend to a sick child? I defragged my hard drive, that's what!! It wasn't TOO red, so I was pleased that I had not neglected this task for too long. I also realized I had no spyware killer on this machine, so I went to cnet.com, one of my very favorite sites for research, and downloaded Ad-Aware SE Personal. By the way, cNet also produces a great little segment that downloads to my Tivo every week - Tips for Digital Living. Get it if you have Tivo.

My Goals for the Coming Week:
1. Get caught up on my homework - how can I be BEHIND already?
2. Figure out what CPU I have in my machine, how much RAM and determine if I should perform an upgrade
3. Set up a scheduled backup - I am shamed to say I have NEVER backed up my work!! Don't look at me like that!!

Have a Good Week!

Our Adventure Begins...

with me, sitting like deer in headlights, back in grad school since Summer 2000. I am excited to be back, but man, I forgot how much work comes with it!

Anyway, I am starting this blog for two reasons: 1. I like the format MUCH better (I'm such a visual person) that what can be created with Blackboard, and 2. I'd like to keep this as documentation (no, not the kind no one reads!) of what I have learned in this space of time.

I'm approaching this class and my Ed Tech future as a series of small races to be run. I want to be able to know how to take apart, upgrade and repair my computer without relying on my husband (sorry sweetie!). He has been my mentor thus far, but it's time to grow up and know how to maintain my own machine. So far, I've been pretty basic with what I've accomplished. I've downloaded and installed programs, fonts, checked for viruses and spyware, and once or twice defragged. Pretty sad if you ask me. It's time to step things up.

My 3 Goals for this week are:
1. To read and understand all of my assigned material
2. Read last year's back issues of Maximum PC for some more ideas to flesh out my term project.
3. Restart my Palm and download some decent list & time management software.