Thoughts on Microsoft Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

Having successfully installed Microsoft Windows Professional x64 Edition, I figured I’d write a little bit about the ups and downs of getting it installed on my system and my own impression of x64 now that it is working. The computer I installed it on is one my Dad and I built a year ago. I’ll list the specs below for reference (and to brag a bit):

Processor: AMD Athlon FX-53 @ 2.4 Ghz
Motherboard: Asus A8V Deluxe
Memory: 4 x 512 MB Corsair XMS DDR 400
Hard Drive: 2 x WD Raptor 74 GB (Raid 0)
Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X800 XT
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

I ran into two major problems with Windows x64. Neither problem was really with x64 itself. Rather they were issues between other devices and x64. The first problem was getting the right drivers from Asus for my raid controller. However, after a few trials and errors, I finally came across the right driver and from there on out the installation went smooth.

The second problem was that x64 was taking on average about 30 minutes to boot up. To be more specific, getting to the login screen was quick. However after typing in my name and password, it would take about 20 to 30 minutes before windows finally came up. During that time it would sit there with nothing but the desktop background and the cursor showing. You could move the cursor around, however right clicking brought up nothing. Also you could hit Ctrl+Alt+Del and Windows Task Manager would pop up. But other than that, nothing else until windows finally loaded. It turns out that the problem was an old cd-rw drive. I had it installed as a secondary drive and it was the only piece of my computer that I did not buy new. Instead I stripped it out of my old machine. It was just so old of a drive that Windows had trouble recognizing it. There for the fix was to buy a new Plextor DVD-RW/CD-RW drive. Windows x64 had no troubles loading this drive.

Really the thing I’ve had the least problems with is drivers. Although it is true that a lot of companies still haven’t released 64 bit drivers, there are a lot of people who have gotten tired of waiting and have created third party 64 bit drivers and posted them on the internet.

So in the end all I can say is this new OS rockzors!!!!!!1111111



Useful Links:
www.planetamd64.com
www.3dvelocity.com/articles/win64compatibility/win64hardlist.htm

When you just got to have your fix...

So my roomate recently got me hooked on an older RTS game I had never played before. Never mind the projects I have to get done, right? But then I was reading through some emails early, and I realized that the in-game music was playing over and over in my head. Yikes!!! So I thought maybe I would start a list of things that let you know your addicted to a video game. For anyone still reading this blog, feel free to add your contributions. I'm just kicking it off.

You know your addicted to a video game when...

- While reading your email, you hear the in-game music play over and over in your head

David Crowder Concert (pt 2)

Ok, I ordered 7 tickets earlier today for the concert. Including the per ticket service charge, they come out to be $23.00 a ticket. Something else to keep in mind is that we will be leaving at around 2:30 pm. 3:00 pm at the very latest. Just a little something to remember.

David Crowder Concert

Ok, so maybe I'm a little crazy... maybe...

Sometime this afternoon I will be ordering 7 tickets (maybe 4 if not many people express interest) to the David Crowder Band Concert in Palos Heights. I am forging ahead on this because I know if we tried to orchestrate it first... well... the concert would be over before we settled anything. Below is the information:

A Collision Tour: David Crowder Band
Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL 60463
November 11, 2005 at 7:30 pm (it's a Friday)
Price per ticket is 19.50 with maybe a 3 dollar service charge. But that's iffy.

So, whose in? Come on... cooommmmeee oooonnnnnn... cooooooooooommmmmmmmmmeeeeeeeeeeee ooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!

So far it's me and Jeff (well, Jeff said he'd "have to check his schedual", but he's comming, even if I have to tie him up and throw him in the trunk). Anyways, let me know if you want in!

FIRE CALL!!!!

WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111111

So I went home this afternoon to wash cloths and hang out with my family. However I ended up getting the bonus of going on another call. It wasn't really a fire call though, more like a single car accident. But I'll take what I can get. Really, the only reason I went was because it was right outside my house. Hence my Dad and I immediatly went out to help. I ended up directing traffic. A rookie job, but I'll take it. Life is grood!

ps: so apparently instead of posting this, I saved it as a draft... Oh well.

Still Alive and Kick'n

So I realized today it's been like six weeks since school started. Can that be right? It really only feels like 2 weeks, maybe 3 weeks at most. Kind of scary to think how fast it's gone by so far.

Anywho, school is grood (KJ talk for great and good). Living on campus has been awesome so far. Mostly it's been hanging out with friends, homework (or the procastination of), and work. I guess the old saying time flies when you're having fun holds water after all.

There are no pictures on this post because, well, I'm a loser and never have my camera with me when interesting things happen. Oh well.

Well, this blog really never had any point to begin with, so if you are still reading in the hope of that, I'm sorry. The truth is I wanted to update my blog and kill a little time before bed. Adios!

Reminiscent Thoughts on Being a Firefighter

I haven't posted in a little while, well it feels like a little while. Mainly this is because I've been super busy. Work, classes, other stuff, it all kind of zaps time from days. But I've been reminiscing about my 4 1/2 years on the Mechanicsburg Volunteer Fire Department and thought I'd talk a little bit about it.

I started helping out at the department when I was about 17. However I wasn't able to join as a member until I turned 18. Mainly I joined because it seems to be a family thing. My Dad, retired Navy, is on the department, my Uncle Frank is the Fire Chief, and my Uncle Brian is on the Fire District Board. Of course I also joined cause it sounded fun.

Originally I think my badge number on the department was 32. But not long after I joined they consolidated the numbers to eliminate gaps and I ended up being 26. I have so many memories from being on the department. Some great, some not so great. But I think you always have to take the good with the bad.

Some interior shots of the fire house. The picture on the left is and pan shot of the trucks. The picture on the right is our gear rack.

I think my favorite calls to go on would have to be grass/field fires or weather watch. Weather watch was always fun. While everyone else is in there homes, we take 4x4's out, park them in a ditch, and sit through the storm watching for possible tornadoes. Then we drive around our district making sure the wind didn't do any damage to power lines or to make sure that the roads are clear.

The only call that would top weather watch would have to be field fires. Most guys on the department like structure fires. But to me, there's nothing like sitting on top of a brush track haul'n across some field and shoot what amounts to a giant water gun off the side. I guess it comes down to toys, and we had some pretty cool ones!

These are some pictures of Engine 1. The one on the right is a picture of the controls on the midship for controlling the various lines coming off the engine.

While these were my favorite calls, they aren't what I think of as the best part of being on the department. That belongs to kids. I loved whenever we got the chance to do fire safety things with the children. Whether it be around Mechanicsburg, the fairgrounds, or somewhere in Springfield. There's just something about firefighters and fire engines that make a child’s eyes light up. Especially when you let them pull the air horn or dress up in our gear. Plus the fact that we were actually teaching them things that might one day save their lives... totally awesome!

These are pictures of Brush 3 and Tanker 5. I think you can tell which is which.

Thinking back, I really have seen and been a part of so much. I will never forget some of the guys I've served with and worked beside. Men I've seen save lives. I will also never forget the lives we couldn't save. I will never forget the adrenaline of hopping in a truck and tearing out of the firehouse or the thrill of driving one of the trucks. I've gotten to drive them all at some point by the way.

I guess I will end by saying a couple of things. First, if you know a firefighter, tell them thanks, it goes along way. Whenever possible, support your local fire department, or any emergency response for that matter. Whether it be police, fire, or EMT. Lastly, and this is a pet peeve of mine, IF YOU SEE FLASHING BLUE OR RED LIGHTS IN YOUR REARVIEW MIRROR OR IN FRONT OF YOU PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! It could be your house, relative, or property we're trying to get to. Besides, I don't think you would want to go head to head with an engine anyways:

Grrrrrrrr!!!

Packed and Ready to Go... Sort Of

Well, what began as a decision 8 or so months ago is finally happening... tomorrow. My car is loaded, the van is filled, and the time draws nigh. But I'm not so gung ho anymore about it. Infact I'm almost saddened. My actions bear the consequence of completely changing the dynamic of the relationship between me and my family. No more comming home and watching a little tv with mom and dad. No more telling them good night. It's all gone. My whole comfort zone for my entire life, vanishing right before me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for moving out, just didn't expect there to be any hesitancy. And I know my parents will always be there. I dunno. Typing this feels wierd... big strong (ex) firefighter who's gonna miss his mommy and daddy. But I will. My dad mentioned to me about regrets of things me and him never got to do when I was little. Not playing enough ball, hanging out as much as we could. Part of that stems from him being in the Navy and out to see for long periods of time. But I have never regreted my childhood. Infact I loved it.

I know, I'm rambling and am all over the place tonight. Please don't take this as me regreting moving to campus cause I don't. I need this. I really do. And I want to do it. I'm just tired from packing all day and this stuff has been heavy on my heart this week. Ok, time for me to get some rest before the big day tomorrow. Adios.