My laptop caught on fire

No, that is not my laptop. But my laptop did catch on fire a couple of months ago. I was too embarrassed and shocked to tell anyone about it because I couldnt figure out how or why it happened. Until now...

One day, I unplugged my laptop to surf outside in the living room. I noticed some smoke coming from the side vent of my laptop. As I looked closer, I saw a glow of orange. As I looked into the vent, I saw a small flame! I immediately ran outside and blew the flame out.

I thought at first it was a defective laptop. But as I searched online, I couldnt find reports of the same issue on my Dell XPS m1330. Not to mention this laptop is high end line of Dell's laptops. Luckily it was under warranty so I got a new replacement. In any case, I was mad because it could have burned down my entire house.

Last week, I was in my study surfing the Internet on my desktop. When all of a sudden my laptop which was charging, all of a sudden started up by itself. My laptops are always set to hibernate, when I close the laptop lid. So it was a true surprise that something was waking up my computer from hibernate as this should never happen...so I thought. It turns out that I had set my Windows Update to automatically download/install updates on Monday's at 10pm which was the cause of my computer waking up from hibernate. I can imagine it waking up my computer from sleep, but not hibernate.

So it turns out Microsoft is at big fault for this one. First of all, a computer should never wake up from hibernate by itself. I dont care what kind of important Windows updates are needed. Secondly, if you are going to force my computer to wake up, you better make darn sure that you can put it back into hibernate after you are done. And thats exactly what happened to my laptop. Windows update woke up Vista to auto install updates. But after doing so, it failed to put it back into hibernate and probably kept trying for hours which caused the CPU to get hot and intense. I've seen this behavior with my work laptop before. My work computer is set to sleep when I close the laptop lid. Sometimes, I close it and put it in my laptop bag. When I get home, I find that my laptop extremely hot because it failed to sleep.

Bottom Line:
If you have Vista on your laptop and use hibernate or sleep and have it plugged into a power source, make sure you do not use the 'Install updates automatically' setting for Windows Update. Otherwise, you can burn your entire house down.

Source

Welcome to simpleist.com!

I decided to move and separate my tech blog off of my personal web site. Using Blogger, it was very difficult to customize the way I wanted it being hosted on my web hosting account. Its much easier to maintain having my blog hosted directly on blogger. I now have the ability to have labels, polls, and most importantly...archives!

What do you think?

Roger's Favorite Things

Here are my top 5 favorite tech products.



1. Tivo Series 3
Tivo has become the heart of my home entertainment system. Its not just a DVR anymore but instead has become a home media center. Recording shows is the main function, but it can do so much more especially when connected to my home network. Stream video, photos, music. Rent and watch movies from amazon or netflix. Watch youtube videos. Transfer recorded shows back and forth between my computer. Convert shows to my iphone. The possibilities are endless. No need for a Home PC Theater set up.
Full Review




2. iPhone 3G
Nothing can compare to the iphone's intuitive interface. Checking email, surfing the internet, taking pictures, playing games at your fingertips never felt so natural.
Full Review




3. Eye-fi memory card
This is a perfect example of thinking out of the box. Instead of enabling the camera to perform wireless transfers, why not just do it for memory cards. I had my doubts but this thing actually works. Not only does it transfer my photos wirelessly to my computer but it can automatically upload to flickr - my photo sharing website. 2 birds with one stone. Love it.
Full Review

4. Western Digital My Passport portable hard drive
This small, compact, and sexy external hard drive is all you need to back up or transfer your files. The best feature about this drive is that there is no separate power supply needed. Yes, that means all you need to do is plug it into your USB slot (in Windows or Mac) and you are good to go. No software necessary.




5. Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote
You will only need to purchase one of these universal remotes in your lifetime because you can always update the remote using your computer and the internet. The remote is configured by connecting to Logitech's Harmony website application. The application has a comprehensive database of all tv components. So all you need to do is find the new component you just purchased and the remote will know exactly how to control it. Not only that but you can also create a custom sequence of commands to perform with a click of a button. For example, I have a "watch a dvd" command which will turn on my tv, dvd, and receiver and set the correct inputs all at once.

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! Im all for making new years resolutions. But I remember someone once said, "I dont make new years resolutions because Im just going to break them anyways". Now what kind of attitude is that? New Years resolutions is the same as making goals. Are you telling me that you dont have any goals for the new year? Are you absolutely content with the way things are now and have nothing to change or to accomplish? Rubbish.

Everyone needs a reboot once in a while and what better time than the new year. Just like a computer that has been constantly used and abused, what better way to put everything back in order than with a simple reboot.

Here are some tips on making New Years resolutions.

1. Make them specific and tangible. The more detailed the better.
   
   • Lose weight - BAD
   • Run on the treadmill for 30 minutes at the 24 hour fitness near my house on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after work. - GOOD
   
   
2. Write them down somewhere. Write it on a 3x5 card or put it on your phone or email it to yourself, just dont keep them in your head. Put it some place where you know you will visit or see often. If you complete or achieve a goal, then check or cross it off your list. Only then will you see how gratifying that is.
   
   
3. Share your new years resolution with someone on email or facebook or blog or on the phone or better yet...in person. Once you do that, it will keep you accountable because nobody wants to be perceived as a liar. Also, those people can hold you accountable.
   
   
4. Just do it. Do it now. Dont think or hesitate. What are you waiting for...next year? The new year has already begun. Go now!
   

Still cant think of any? Ya' lazy lima bean! Here are some recommendations.

1. Complete any unfinished resolutions from last year. Choose that one task that you put off that entire year.
   
2. Clean out your email inbox. Limit your inbox to have only 1 page of email.
   
3. Clean your house. Start with a single room, then move on to the rest.
4. Clean our your closet. Get a goodwill bag and get rid of all the clothes that you are never going to wear.
   
5. Create a work out plan and schedule to lose weight.
6. Too busy? Hire someone to help you and let them worry about it. ie. Gardener, House Keeper, Nanny, Mechanic, Handyman.
7. Plan a vacation. You deserve it.
8. Learn a new recipe.
9. Start a blog.
10. Create a website.
    
11. Clean up your computer. Get rid of all of the icons on your desktop. Reorganize your media

Good Luck!

I made it on the Channel 5 CBS Eyewitness news

So I was at Best Buy one day and looking at a 10" HP netbook when all of a sudden a CBS News reporter snuck up behind me and asked me if I wanted to be interviewed. I thought to myself that it would be fun to see myself on TV. I've always had a bad habit of sneaking in front of new cameramen to try to get myself on TV. But this was an actual speaking role! In any case, I was too nervous and mumbled dumb things to the reported and they didnt air my interview. But they did get my face and my hands. I believe it aired on the 6pm news, but I missed it. But found it of course on the Internet.

You will see me at 1:09 minutes into the video.
http://cbs5.com/video/?id=42871@kpix.dayport.com

Black Friday 2008

Im definitely seeing an increase in deals this week. Stay on top of it by going to my aggregated deals site - fealdeals.com
It looks like the retailers have already posted their Black Friday ads directly on their websites or you can go to bfads.net where they have a compiled list for easy access.

Program your Tivo on your cell phone

Finally, Tivo created a mobile web app specifically to schedule and record TV shows. I've been waiting for an iphone app, but I guess this browser-based web app will do. Keep in mind that this app might not even be officially live yet as Tivo has not made an announcement. Also, you need to have a network connected Tivo, a Tivo account, and an internet-enabled cell phone.

Source: Mobile Crunch

Canada Dry Ginger Ale with Green Tea

My favorite new soda now is Canada Dry's new Ginger Ale with Green Tea. It has the same Ginger Ale taste but with a subtle Green Tea kick. Its available at major supermarkets. Yum!

Free AT&T Wi-Fi for iPhone Users at Starbucks

Here are the instructions from the AT&T website:

• Activate Wi-Fi from the settings icon on your iPhone
• Select "attwifi" from the list of available networks
• Enter your 10-digit mobile number and check the box to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Tap 'continue'
• You will receive a text message from AT&T with a secure link to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. You will not be charged for the text message.
• The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location.
• Open the text message and tap on the link for 24-hour access to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot

Windows Automatic Restart

Dear Microsoft,

I understand that there are many security issues with Windows. I understand that because of the security issues, you have auto installed the necessary patches to plug up those security holes. I understand that in order for those patches to take effect, it requires Windows to restart.

But please, please dont force an automatic Windows restart without my permission. Please dont give me a 5 minute countdown every 5 minutes. Sometimes, I need to go to the bathroom for 5 minutes and I dont want all of my open programs to end abruptly. I have already allowed you to download and install the updates automatically and whenever you want, so what more do you want from me? Nevermind, go ahead! Take control of my computer. Install whatever you want. Reboot my computer whenever you want. I dont care anymore. You use it.

But at least consider this. How about putting a tiny button on the 5 minute countdown dialog box that says, "Do not restart and do not remind me anymore. I solemnly swear that I will restart my computer the next chance I get".

Your extremely annoyed user,
Roger