Month: April 2008

Missing Headset

Royall

Richard,

 

Maybe you can help here. Roddy came with a Dell-branded Bluetooth
headset (actually, it was more a pair of headphones). The online invoice says
the part number was 430-2316. Well, the set has walked off, and I don’t see
that P/N online. Would you please tell me how much a replacement set would cost?

 

The irony is that the headset was able to escape because I never
used it. I didn’t know until this week that the band was meant to be worn
behind the head. I saw someone with a similar set, and it looked like a
bizarre dental appliance! Remember that I’m an amateur radio operator,
and the band traditionally goes over the head to support the headphones.
Kids today do everything backwards! J

 

Scott Dvorak

RE: HOT Roddy heating up

Royall

HOT Roddy heating up

Richard,

 

Sit down and
read carefully. This is one of those posts important enough for me to put on
the blog. I hasten to add that I am only reporting my own results, but, as I joked
earlier, I’m among very few M1530 users advanced enough to care to monitor
internal temperatures. If Roddy sneezes, I start feeding her Zi-Cam! J

 

Ok, I reloaded
the A05 BIOS rev, and the difference is just as startling as I expected. How startling?
I am watching DLTV in the background as I type this. CPU = 132F/50%, GPU = 123F,
Memory = 130F(unchanged from A08). Yes, the GPU is 40F cooler, and the CPU load
is down at Lilly-class levels.

 

As a long-time Dell
user, my advice to Dell is to send A08 to the same oblivion A07 went to at Warp
12. Seriously. As a system programmer, I can pretty much gather what the problem
is. Something in A08 puts the graphics unit into a “busy loop.” That
in turn creates a flood of interrupt requests that the CPU has to constantly answer.
It’s the digital equivalent of constipation, and the side-effects are
just as far-reaching. System performance and power consumption go into the crapper.
Worse, the systems are doing a slow bake, and most users won’t associate
that with the BIOS rev. A08 must die.

 

Of course, if I
ran the department, whoever begot A08 would receive daily floggings until they
got A09 right. (Can you tell I’m really into the Aubrey/Maturin book series—e.g.,
Master and Commander?)

 

Scott

 

P.S.

 

My family still
thinks I should be paid for debugging Dell toys.

From:
Richard_Bernier@Dell.com [mailto:Richard_Bernier@Dell.com]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 3:26 PM
To: royall@conchbbs.com
Subject: RE: HOT Roddy heating up

 

That is not a bad idea if you are willing to do it.  Let me
know how it goes.

Richard Bernier
Online Community Outreach Liaison
Dell Inc.
800-822-8965 Ext. 726-8859 | Richard_Bernier@dell.com
Doing good or needing improvement, either way you can contact my
manager Jennifer_Lea_Hughes@dell.com

From: Scott Royall
[mailto:royall@conchbbs.com]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 3:05 PM
To: Bernier, Richard
Subject: RE: HOT Roddy heating up

 

Getting
responses from other customers might be tough since most aren’t nerdy
enough to monitor internal organs. J Mind if I drop back to A05?

 

From:
Richard_Bernier@Dell.com [mailto:Richard_Bernier@Dell.com]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 2:52 PM
To: royall@conchbbs.com
Subject: RE: HOT Roddy heating up

 

Okay then, well we take a look at that spread sheet for now. 
In the meantime we will look for reports from other customers and see if we can
get their system for a look at.

 

Thanks,

Richard Bernier
Online Community Outreach Liaison
Dell Inc.
800-822-8965 Ext. 726-8859 | Richard_Bernier@dell.com
Doing good or needing improvement, either way you can contact my
manager Jennifer_Lea_Hughes@dell.com

From: Scott Royall
[mailto:royall@conchbbs.com]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 2:10 PM
To: Bernier, Richard
Subject: RE: HOT Roddy heating up

 

It’s not
a bad idea. I just don’t think it will be very helpful without the
hard-drive. After all, she’s not going to heat up idling in a cool
office. J Besides, does Dell give you the tools
to monitor the internal sensors? (If so, I wouldn’t mind trying a copy. J) Seriously, I fear that sending Roddy to
Austin
wouldn’t produce a resolution. Yet, if we did decide to pursue that
route, I think you’d need the HD to stand any chance.

 

A couple of
options come to mind. First, I am sending an Office 2007 spreadsheet containing
roughly four days of temperature/speed/load data. Too bad each entry
isn’t time-stamped, but it’s still interesting reading that will
keep your email ring chattering for a while. You can see how stable things are.

 

The other
option, as mentioned, is to send the entire laptop in. Lilly is what makes that
even possible. However, it just got a lot tougher me to do most things because
my better caregiver suddenly quit last week. I wouldn’t trust this
current clown to properly pack a box of tissues, let alone poor little Roddy.

 

I still say that
Roddy’s heat problem is a function of her lower overall computing
capacity. Lilly’s load and temps are lower under the same task load.

 

From:
Richard_Bernier@Dell.com [mailto:Richard_Bernier@Dell.com]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 8:42 AM
To: royall@conchbbs.com
Subject: HOT Roddy heating up

 

Mr. Scott,

It has been
asked that I personal investigate this GPU temperature increase.  The
problem is that I would need to obtain HOT Roddy.  Basically we would swap
out the
computer and move hard drive to a new system.  I know your computer is
important to you and can be without it for very long.  So, let please let me
know what you think.

Best regards

Richard Bernier
Online
Community Outreach Liaison
Dell Inc.
800-822-8965 Ext. 726-8859 | Richard_Bernier@dell.com

Doing good or needing improvement, either way you can contact my
manager Jennifer_Lea_Hughes@dell.com

Now THAT was Stupid

Royall

The reason this
pilot didn’t even need to re-adjust the trim is because the F-16 is probably
smarter than he was. Its flight control system is run on two separate computers
that compare notes. They probably shared a few choice bits about him too!

 

Then again, I’ve pulled similar moments of stupidity (and
worse) in simulation, with similar results. “Bitchin’ Betty” gave
me an earful all the way home.

RE: Ark of Truth

Royall

True. On the other hand, SF fans
have this nasty habit of growing fangs and becoming quite rabid. Sort of like Apple
lovers.

                 

From:
Richard_Bernier@Dell.com [mailto:Richard_Bernier@Dell.com]
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 2:49 PM
To: royall@conchbbs.com
Subject: RE: Ark of Truth

 

Thanks a lot for the info.

 

 I have been rather disappointed with Sci-Fi productions for
the past couple of years.  It cancellations like “Firefly”,
“Enterprise”, “Surface”, “Invasion”,
“Farscape”, “Threshold”,
and, “Space above and beyond” that makes you not want to start
watching a new show.  It may be cancelled before you know it.  It
just happened to me again with the show “Jericho”!

 

Oh well L

Richard Bernier
Online Community Outreach Liaison
Dell Inc.
800-822-8965 Ext. 726-8859 | Richard_Bernier@dell.com
Doing good or needing improvement, either way you can contact my
manager Jennifer_Lea_Hughes@dell.com

From: Scott Royall
[mailto:royall@conchbbs.com]
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2008 4:16 PM
To: Bernier, Richard
Subject: Ark
of Truth

 

Oh, just in case you didn’t, check out the Special
Feature section, most notably Uncovering the Ark of Truth. It’s a
30-minute documentary that undoubtedly SciFi Channel will wear out. Unlike most
“The Making of…” shows, this one actually confirms a few
rumors. They make clear at the beginning that, although AoT feels like a series
finale, it is not. It’s just the end of an arc.

 

No, AoT hasn’t returned to the Netflix mothership yet,
and I’m in no hurry to send it.

Ark of Truth

Royall

Oh, just in case you didn’t, check out the Special Feature
section, most notably Uncovering the Ark of Truth. It’s a
30-minute documentary that undoubtedly SciFi Channel will wear out. Unlike most
“The Making of…” shows, this one actually confirms a few rumors.
They make clear at the beginning that, although AoT feels like a series finale,
it is not. It’s just the end of an arc.

 

No, AoT hasn’t returned to the Netflix mothership yet,
and I’m in no hurry to send it.

RE: batteries

Royall

Ok Matt, thanks.
I know you’re just the middleman. However, I think the whole wheelchair
industry is too insular and used to protecting itself at the customers’
expense. Yes, I know of MK. They are neither the worst or the best, they’re
just high-priced and mediocre. Have you ever compared the PDF in your link to
specs of more reputable brands? The PDF claims “1100 cycles in nominal HME
use.” HME is likely “home mobility environment,” or the 90-year-old
woman I spoke of. Even then, 1100 cycles is only possible at 5% depth of discharge.
Also, that PDF rates the batteries at 73.6 amp-hours. I did some research last
night and found 80-AH AGMs from a reputable brand locally for $161 ea.

 

Let me guess. You
don’t do returns, right?

 

From: Matt Geiger
[mailto:Matt@wheelchairshop.com]
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 8:19 AM
To: Scott Royall
Subject: Re: batteries

 

 

this is a link to the batteries that you purchased. This is the
only battery we sell.

MATT GEIGER CRTS
THE WHEELCHAIRSHOP INC.
1332 UPLAND DR.
HOUSTON, TX. 77043
713-468-0696cc
713-468-1517 FAX

—–
Original Message —–

From: Scott Royall

Cc: Mom

Sent: Thursday, April 17,
2008 6:09 PM

Subject: RE: batteries

 

I just got this
email late yesterday for whatever reason. The batteries are in.

 

What you say is
largely valid for several reasons. The largest is user ignorance. Putting
batteries in series to get 24 volts is all good and well, but it necessarily
means the batteries can’t discharge evenly. Yes, theory says recharging
should reverse that, but it’ll never happen due to simple resistance.
Swapping batteries regularly would help, although it’s impractical. The
correct solution would be to charge each battery separately or at least in
parallel, but the wheelchair makers don’t want to spend the pennies for a
separate wiring harness.

 

There are a
number of reputable sources on the Web that echo my 25 years in power chairs. Here’s a
unbiased example. They are talking about 12-volt batteries, the mainstay of all
power chairs. Notice the 250-300 cycle lifespan. I have to charge daily so do
the math. I do hope you sold us AGM batteries, not true gel cells. As that web
page mentions, gels do not like heat. What the page doesn’t mention is
that you don’t just generate heat while charging. Discharging also does
it for the same reason—resistance. Gel cells are probably fine for a
90-year-old woman puttering around, but remember that I go through a charge in
a day. That’s no place for gel.

From: Matt Geiger
[mailto:Matt@wheelchairshop.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:38 AM
To: Scott Royall
Subject: Re: batteries

 

Scott, In the world of wheelchair batteries it is very well
documented that if one battery fails you must replace both of them at the same
time. If one is weaker than the other the week battery will pull the strong one
down. You will not get the most bang for your buck. We only sell batteries in
pairs due to that. Someone should be here all day and I have a pair of them
here. They are gp 24 gel batteries. MK

MATT GEIGER CRTS
THE WHEELCHAIRSHOP INC.
1332 UPLAND DR.
HOUSTON, TX. 77043
713-468-0696
713-468-1517 FAX

—–
Original Message —–

From: Scott Royall

Sent: Tuesday, April 15,
2008 7:59 PM

Subject: RE: batteries

 

UPDATE #2: The
supplier did the expected thing and refused to honor the warranty, because his
expensive tester (designed to test automotive batteries) couldn’t see a
problem. He obviously flunked Chemistry in high school.

 

Matt, someone
from my brood will call on you tomorrow.

 

From: Scott Royall
[mailto:royall@conchbbs.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:16 PM
To: ‘Lourez Bullock’
Cc: ‘Matt Geiger’; Marsha Anderson
Subject: RE: batteries

 

Lilly’s
done. She looks ok.

 

The battery
situation is confusing. Only one failed testing last night, the other three
passed. Time to test the old-school way, with a hydrometer.

 

UPDATE: the
old-school guys had a lot right. Sometimes nothing beats Chemistry 1103. The
hydrometer declared three batteries totally unfit, the fourth as dubious. Jack
is currently trying to exchange the two that are under warranty.

 

From: Lourez Bullock
[mailto:lourez_bullock@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 10:14 PM
To: ‘Scott Royall’
Subject: RE: batteries

 

Very good news about Lilly.  Bear Creek still sounds out of
touch with modern vet med immunization requirements.

 

About the batteries, how long is that price ($420 +) good?  If
it’s a temporary, you might want to go ahead and “reserve”
them until you need them.  If that means pre-paying, so be it.

 

When do you expect your new extension cord/reel?  In time for
the Belton trip?

 

 

From: Scott Royall
[mailto:royall@conchbbs.com]
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 6:28 PM
To: ‘Lourez Bullock’
Cc: Marsha Anderson
Subject: RE: batteries

 

Actually, I
have several pieces of good news:

 

·        
Bear
Creek totally backed down and accepted Lilly’s immunizations. Perhaps
Marsha’s “growl” was a bit more effective than she thought.

·        
On
a hunch, I had Robyn open the back of the van. There I found my generator and
two batteries. As I recall, we re-used one of the batteries from the last batch
because Wal-mart said it tested as good. That means there’s one good
battery in the van and one probable in the chair. So I might not need
Matt’s yet. Jack’s battery tester died so Robyn and I drove to Gessner
to get another today. Jack is supposed to be here tonight, and we’ll need
to assess what’s good. My discovery also means I have batteries to throw
at Matt whenever.

 

From: Lourez Bullock
[mailto:lourez_bullock@sbcglobal.net]

Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 9:51 AM
To: ‘Scott Royall’
Subject: batteries

 

Finally
some “good” news.  So do you want a check for $426.00? 
When are youall going to do this?  I presume you have to have someone
other than Matt remove your old batteries and install the new ones, so that
sort of leaves you “powerless” doesn’t it?

 

RE: Resume for Region 4 conference

Royall

Resume for Region 4 conference

Theresa,

 

That might be a
tiny problem, because I don’t have a long list of rehab-related degrees. In
fact, I have none. Oh, I have a very nice and compelling resume, for
Information Technology. What I know about AAC I had to learn while creating my
own. That’s after my bosses at Shell were dissatisfied with what was commercially
available at the time. In other words, I know about AAC because I have to use
it!

 

Scott

 

From: Theresa Tanchak
[mailto:TTanchak@esc4.net]
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 8:50 AM
To: ROYALL@CONCHBBS.COM
Subject: Resume for Region 4 conference

 

Hi, Scott. I’m working on CEU
applications for the Texas AT Regional Conference. I know it’s not until June,
but I need to send the applications ASAP. So, would you please send me a 2-page
or less resume/vitae? I’ll also need one for anyone else who may be presenting
with you. Thanks. Theresa Tanchak

Theresa
Tanchak, MS, CCC-SLP, ATP
Educational
Specialist, Assistive Technology
Region 4
Education Service Center
7145 West
Tidwell
Houston, Texas
77092-2096
ttanchak@esc4.net

713-744-6350

Hot Rod

Royall

Does anyone out there need a lightweight Shepherd mix? Roddy
has apparently been up to her old tricks again. The story I get third hand is
that both of my dogs got out and bit a puppy. Now, I know that would be 180
degrees from Lilly’s nature, but a previous incident gives Roddy a history.
She’s actually a very sweet and intelligent dog with a lot of sensitivity.
Unfortunately, she didn’t get enough attention before landing in my lap. Roddy
is definitely not feral, but she did get to develop her hunting skills. She really
just doesn’t like yappy little dogs. (I frankly agree with her 1000%, but
we can’t go around puncturing the furry rats.) Roddy would be much
happier as a country dog.