Administrative, Technology and Society

Computer Problem

26 Comments

I’ve got a weird problem with Patricia’s Windows 8.1 machine. It stopped working while I was in Florida, dying without her being able to restart it. When I got back, I turned off the supply, then back on, and then it booted up (though sometimes it took almost forever). But it kept going to sleep without warning, and couldn’t be woken up without recycling the PS switch. I decided it was probably a bad power supply, the original one from the HP that she had bought, but that I’d kept when I upgraded the motherboard a year and a half ago. I went out and bought a whole new case (the HP case was a PITA to work on), and put in an older 580W supply that I’d had from a previous build. It worked for a day or so, but then started to flake out again in a similar manner. Since it was an old supply, I decided to just go out and buy a new one, a 500W for $40 at Fry’s. But it’s still acting up, so it has to be something other than the supply.

What I don’t understand is how it can not even start up the fans when I hit the front-panel switch. I sometimes have to leave it turned off for a while, which indicates a thermal issue, but just what is the signal to the supply from the MB to turn on? Is there any solution to this other than a new MB?

History, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Social Commentary, War Commentary

Fifteen Years On

51 Comments

Falling Man

It’s hard to come up with anything new to say about 9/11, but in the midst of this insane election, I think that this picture could be viewed by many as a metaphor for America, and the overreactionary result was Donald Trump, a man manifestly unqualified for the presidency, whose disqualifying characteristics are exceeded only by those of his sickly, corrupt, incompetent, mendacious, felonious opponent.

I don’t think that Trump will prove to be the parachute that saves the nation — he’s far too ignorant and contemptuous of the Constitution (and much else) — but many do, and that is how he has gotten as far as he has, and may yet win the presidency. And if he does, I think that history will record that the seeds of his victory, for good or ill, were sown on a bright sunny September Tuesday in 2001, and the feckless response of the nation’s “leadership” through three presidential cycles since.

[Update a while later]

Falling man, falling presidential candidate.

[Update a few minutes later]

I should note that one of the reasons I’m showing this picture is that too many people think we shouldn’t see it or be reminded, which gets back to the fecklessness of our “elites.”

Law, Media Criticism, Political Commentary

For The Good Of The Country

9 Comments

James Comey should resign.

I agree. He should have done so long ago over this. I’m surprised and disappointed that he’s willing to go along with this level of government corruption. He’s destroying the reputation of the FBI.

[Update a few minutes later]

If you want checks and balances, vote Trump.

He’s not really a Republican, but he’ll be viewed sufficiently as one by the press to treat him like one, so we’ll once again get serious scrutiny on the White House.

[Update a few minutes later]

Don’t let Comey put a criminal in the White House.

I agree; if Comey wants to do the right thing, the new revelations provide an opening for him to do so. But I don’t think he wants to. He seems to be doubling down on the corruption.

Biting Commentary about Infinity…and Beyond!