Chris Fixes Oxley SS Keyboard

The Oxley State School Keyboard had been lying around home for a while waiting to be fixed.  Turned out it had two problems.  A dead power pack.  Confirmed dead with multimeter followed by visual inspection showing a wire broken off right where it came out of the transformer.  A replacement (12V 1A) plug pack was located in the junk box.  The keyboard connector is wired -ve tip which is unusual except for keyboards.  (The Roland at church is also negative tip).  The replacement plug pack had just bare wires so we cut the wires and connector off the old pluch pack and joined them onto the new one.  This worked a treat until we bumped the keyboard and it shut down.  This sensitivity was traced to the DC input plug where the smallest touch would cause the keyboard to loose power.

Chris took the bottom off the keyboard and visual inspection showed that the solder had cracked where the connector contacts were soldered to the printed circuit board.  He re-soldered it and it came back to life.  - Job done

In this picture, the keyboard is upside down.  I am holding the bottom of the keyboard.  the keys are facing down under where Chris is soldering.

MAC Firmware Upgrade

Finally got the mac to do a firmware upgrade.

I think in the end, the key thing was to
a)  Set the launchpad>System Preferences>Startup Disk to MAC
b) Use the App Store search for updates and install
c) Do it all about 3 times.

Now we have

Hardware Overview:

  Model Name: MacBook Air

  Model Identifier: MacBookAir5,2

  Processor Name: Intel Core i5

  Processor Speed: 1.8 GHz

  Number of Processors: 1

  Total Number of Cores: 2

  L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

  L3 Cache: 3 MB

  Memory: 8 GB

  Boot ROM Version: MBA51.00EF.B02

  SMC Version (system): 2.5f9

  Serial Number (system): xxxxxxxxx

  Hardware UUID: 5xxxxxxxx

Lets see what happens wrt video drivers on the windows side.
We have
Driver Version:   9.17.10.2932   working across extended desktop.
(2932 used to not work - So this is an improvement)

Mac Windows 8.1 and a waste of time

Current MAC System Information
Model Name : MacBook Air
Model Identifier:     MaBookAir5,2
Processor:                Intel core i5
Processor speed:      1.8GHz
Number of processors:  1

Boot Rom Version:   MBA51.00EF.B00
SMC Version(system) 2.5f7

OS= OS X 10.8 (12A269)
Graphics = Intel HD Graphics 4000 512MB
Memory = 8GB 1600 DDR3


This page tells me the firmware that relates to my mac.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237

MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012)

MacBookAir5,2

MBA51.00EF.B02 (EFI 2.6)

2.5f9 (SMC 1.9)

This is interesting as it applies to Mid 2012 mac books
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1690

So it seems I need to upgrade both.

MacBook Air SMC Update v1.9

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1627

MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 2.6

 http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1623
This update is recommended for MacBook Air (mid 2012) models.
This update fixes a color issue with HDMI displays connected to MacBook Air, resolves an issue with Windows which can prevent MacBook Air from booting properly, and also resolves an issue where unplugging a Thunderbolt device may cause the system to freeze when waking from standby.
The MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update will update the EFI firmware on your computer.
Your computer's power cord must be connected and plugged into a working power source. When your MacBook Air restarts, a gray screen will appear with a status bar to indicate the progress of the update. It will take several minutes for the update to complete. Do not disturb or shut off the power on your MacBook Air during this update.
After update EFI ROM will be: MBA51.00EF.B02

Booted to the MAC side.  I tried this and I get an error message "This software is not supported on your system"

===============================================
booted to safe mode with networking
then back to the mac side
then back to windows and the dam thing has booted.
and again.
oh but not again.  I got too happy too quick
but now it does....

Startup Repair
Startup Repair couldn't repair your PC
Press "Advanced options" to try other options to repair your pc or "shut down" to turn off your PC.
Log File: C:\WINDOWS\System32\Logfiles\Srt\SrtTrail.txt

------------------------
this could be useful
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/209-69-windows-bootcamp-black-screen-blinking-cursor-ages-boot

8:00am
GAVE UP!
Decided to re install win 8.0

1. Inserted Win8 bootable USB
2. Held option key, pressed power on, selected USB.
3. Chose Install new..  Enetered product key.
4. Chose upgrade.
Received message "The computer started using the windows installation media.  Remove the installation megia and restart your computer so Windows starts normally [oh if only].  Then insert the installation media and restart the upgrade.  (Do not select ICustom (advanced)|to perform an upgrade. {Custom(advanced) installs a new copy of wondows and deletes your programs and settings).

 Have another go
Installing Windows 8
1. Inserted Win8 bootable USB.  Created using the Win7 bootable USB tool.
2. Held option key, pressed power on, selected USB.
3. Chose Install now..
4.  Enetered product key.
5.  Choose Custom
6.  Drive 0 Partition 4:BOOTCAMP  70.8GB  (I wish I had gone for a 256GB SSD)
7.  Format   (accept / ignore the warning yes I will loose my files)
8.  Next.    Installing windows... (Your computer may restart a few times) get coffee.
Start thinking about where and how to install MS office.
9. selected wireless lan and entered key
10 entered my microsoft account name and password
11 it has finished installing.  greeted with the now familia metro? screen
12 remove usb stick.
13 restart --> worked !!! woohoo
14 ah not so quick.  Need drivers.  (Thats expected)
15 Checked http://support.apple.com/downloads/#macoscomponents and it appears that 5.0.5033 is the latest and I have that already downloaded.
16 Double clicked the setup.exe file.  Accepted all defaults and OKs
17 Restart - yes of yes
its now 9:30am
18 Second display now clones but P does not work.
re read notes on my blog here
I check Device Manager>Display adapters>.....

Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
Driver Provider: Intel Corporation
Driver Date: 12/12/2012
Driver Version: 9.17.10.2932
Digital Signer: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher

From my previous notes - This one is BAD news.
I need this one Driver Version: 9.17.10.2768
But where to get it???.
On a whim I choose "Roll Back Driver" from with the device manager screen.
Blow me over if I don't get the driver I want.  Bizarre.
Have to work out how to stop windows from automatically "updating" this driver.

19 Stop Windows Auto Update The Video Driver
So I already tried to tell windows to not install new drivers.
BTW, to do this, at the Run prompt, type "Change device installation settings"

The good details
c:\Windowsystem32\DRIVERS\igdkmd64.sys and a number of other files



20 Reinstall software
21 Goto ninite.com that gets most of the useful free stuff.
22 Map Z drive.

In win8, windows explorer there does not seem to be a tools>map network drive
In windows explorer address bar, type in the ip address \\192.168.20.12\
Then right click on the Left hand side and select "Map Network Drive" & Choose the drive letter.

23 Microsoft Office
The iso is on the work Z drive.  In Win8, right click and open with windows explorer.
Choose install now.  Wait. 
Activation - Choose the link "Enter a Product Key instead"

24 Thunderbird Mail Client

In the initial setup, put in my gmail address as the account.
Thunderbird then sets up imap.
Now we need to tell thunderbird to not download all the folders.  Just inbox and a couple of others.
right click on the email account XYZ@gmail.com in the left hand pane of the screen
Choose Synchronisation and storage,
Choose advanced
Clear the ticks from the folders that you dont want to down load.
Click OK

Its now 12:30

25 WAMP Server

Downloaded  Wampserver2.4-x64.exe  (Not available on Ninite.com)
http://sourceforge.net/projects/wampserver/postdownload?source=dlp
Double clicked to install.
On the web browser, typed localhost -> The default wampserver page is displayed.
Clicked on the phpinfo hyperlink.  -> Ran phpinfo()
This confirmed that everything was basically working.
Observed that 
Loaded Configuration File C:\wamp\bin\apache\apache2.4.4\bin\php.ini 
In the system tray?, left click on the wamp icon,
Choose PHP>php.ini
post_max_size = 8M   Unchanged
upload_max_filesize = 2M   -> Changed to 8M

26 WORK VPN
done

27 Screen Hunter - done

Roof Insulation on the slope

I want to insulate my roof.  I would like to insulate the sloapy part of the roof because we use the roof space to store .... junk... and I would like to keep the junk cool.

Factors to consider

1. Dirt and crap seems to get into the roof space so insulation that relies on reflective properties will not work.
2. Cost
3. Ease of Installation 
4. I don't like fibreglass type insulation.
5. Needs to be installed on the sloapy part of the roof.
6. Insulation properties - These seem to be quantified by an R value.

Insulation Options

Fibreglass Batts
Personally dont like these as I am concerned about breathing in fibers.
They sit down on the ceiling and so of no use for keeping the ceiling space cool.

Polystyrene Foam
Bought 10 sheets 2400x1200x50.  $29+GST each so around $300.  I reckin I would need about 4x this to do the entire roof.
I have cut these up and I am shoving them between the roof trusses.
It is a lot of work.  I can see why this is not a commercial option.

Concertina Foil Batts
http://www.concertinafoilbatts.com/

KingSpan Air Cell
http://kingspaninsulation.com.au
? "must be supported on mesh"


Tropical Roof
Install a second layer of corrugated iron on top of the first with an air gap between  Or a whole stack of solar cells.

Paint the roof with something???

Foil Bubble Insulation
http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/7020464/roof_insulation_material.html
and all over ebay

Community Carol Singing

We joined some others from our church to sing Christmas carols at Chapel Gardens.

Paul had made "Dutch Doughnuts"

Dan Grade 7 Graduation

Dan Grade 7 students had a "graduation".  Dan was sports house captain for Coolabah (Green).  At the graduation each student who had had any kind of duty got a certificate and hand shakes from various dignities. 
To the right od Dan sitting at the Back is Milton Dick.  Local Councillor.  Later I discover leader of the labour opposition in the BCC. 
Standing is Principal Errol.

HOTY 2013 2 - Race Day

BREAKFAST
Race day began with breakfast.  The most important meal of the day and it was another laneway.  This time of Flinders lane.  Eggs Benedict and Coffee.

10:30ish we met in the foyer and walked a route that took us through Flinders st Station and then across a pedestrian bridge to South Bank?.  Then upstream to where the boats had spent the night.

We had missed the start (11:00am)  but walked to the start anyway.  In this race, entrants are grouped in "Divisions" based on average crew age & gender.  Well the gender isn't averaged.   There are men, women & mixed.  All the boats of a particular division are grouped together.  We line up four abreast in a pre determined arrangement.  The boats start in approximately 10 second increments.  Once all the boats of a particular division have started there is a break of 5 to 10 minutes before the next divisions start.
THE START
 The finer practicalities of lining up four abreast became clear as a crew who were running late and having difficulty deciding how to get to the start chose a tight course past us.  The wide angle lens of the camera does not really show how close they were.  In the picture below, you can see to the left of the cox, my (7) oar handle as I have pulled my oar inboard to stop the boat beside me hitting it.

 Another close call.  May have been the same boat.  Here you can also see that every boat has a bow number and also the cox (back of the boat and the man you can see in the camera shot) and the bow person, each have the boat number pinned to them.

 The white pillar-box on the right is the start line.  There were two guys in there and the window facing the river had a rope pulled tight vertically down the middle of the window.  On the left hand bank opposite them was a marker.  As each boat crossed the start line, they recorded the start time.

 The first part of our row was a slog fest.  We seemed to be rowing hard but the boat was not "running".  It would be nice to think we were neck and neck with the other boats but I have to confess that they came from behind.

On the right of this picture you can see spectators sitting on the launching area of "Scotch Colledge".  Somewhere around here a blue boat which turned out contain Nudgee rowers began to gain on us.  Fear is a wonderful motivator and as a crew we got our act together.  The rhythm impoved.  The whole thing felt better.  We were putting in more effort and able to build the pressure in the water.  Kept those dastardly foe at bey and crossed the finish line in front of them.

THE FINISH
On the right is the  Hawthorne Rowing Club.  Up ahead in the distance is the bridge that is the finish line.

Here we are just about to cross the finish line.  The killer was that when we cross we are not allowed to stop rowing.  I was stuffed.  My legs like jelly and my lungs in need of O2.  But we had to row, lightly, but still row to clear the finish line.

PUT AWAY

After we lifted the boat from the water, we carried it up stream to a park where there were lots of racks to store the boats.  In the picture below you can see Richard our stroke on the left.

BEERS AND PRESENTATION

Pictures to come


PACK & WRAP
 After the formalities wound down, we pulled the boat apart.


The disappointingly memorable thing about the pack up was waiting an eternity for the boat trailer to arrive.  In hindsight, in my view, we would have been better off rowing back downstream and dismantling and reloading the boats.  The original plan had been a return journey via tram with stops at a number of pubs.  We ended up with just the tram journey.


AFTER PARTY