Author Archives: Netmom

Blue Screen of Death

Posted on by
15

It could be much worse, I’m sure, but this problem is getting on my nerves.

BSOD This is only one of many over the last couple of weeks, and I’ve logged most of them.

Contacting Dell Tech Support via e-mail isn’t the fastest way to resolve a problem, but it’s the way that wastes the least amount of my time, allowing me to send the relevant information in writing. And, since it’s not to the point where it’s more than an inconvenience, not wasting my time takes priority over venting frustration to a real person.

Actually, it got escalated to a fairly high level support technician — and one who writes as though English is actually his native language — by the second exchange. That’s pretty darn fine.

The latest has narrowed it down to one of four potential causes:

1) a corrupt operating system;
2) a virus or malware;
3) bad memory;
4) bad hard drive.

Based on this Microsoft Support Bulletin, option 1 looks like a good guess. So, downloading the hotfix should help, except that it doesn’t appear to be available for download; the link points to a phone number for Microsoft to have them send it to me. Calling Microsoft only took me to a message directing me to call my hardware manufacturer.

In programming, this is known as a circular reference, and tends to be fatal. If only it were so in customer service. So, I’ve replied to the Dell tech’s e-mail, asking him to get the hotfix for me.

Having earlier seen a ZDNet warning that a TrendMicro flaw could cause the Blue Screen of Death, I’ve manually updated my virus patterns, run a full system scan, then gone to Symantec to run a second, online scan as a backstop. Both came up completely clean, but I realize that there are new bugs, or variations of old bugs, that aren’t yet in the antivirus patterns. It could be a bug… I have to keep checking all possibilities.

I don’t have any of the usual indications that there’s a memory or HDD problem, so although the Dell rep offered to send out new memory and a new HDD, I’d rather rule out the other two first.

For the hardcore geekiest of you out there, a sampling of the error codes is as follows:

STOP 0x0000007A (0xC0546B08, 0xC0000185,0xA8D61C74,0x07DC0860)
cdfs.sys – Address A8D61C74 base at A8D5E00, DateStamp 41107eb1

—–

STOP 0x0000007A (0xE1D408F8, 0xC0000185, 0xBF916582, 0x36234860)
win32k.sys – Address BF916582 base at BF800000, DateStamp 43446a58

—–

STOP: 0x0000007A (0xC07BAE90, 0xC0000185, 0xF75D2000, 0x26662860)
mountmgr.sys – Address F75D2000 base at F75CD000 Datestamp 41107b05

—–

STOP: 0x00000077 (0xC0000185, 0xC0000185, 0x00000000, 0x00ABE000)

—–

STOP: 0x000000F4 (0x00000003, 0x8628E8E8, Ox8628EA5C, 0x805D117A)

—–

STOP: 0x000000F4 (0x00000003, 0x86049340, Ox860494B4, 0x805D117A)

—–

STOP: 0x000000F4 (0x00000003, 0x861A3368, Ox861A34DC, 0x805D117A)

—–

KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERROR
STOP: 0X0000007A (OxC07B9C48, 0xC0000185, 0xF7389DAD, 0x2BD50860)
ntfs.sys – Address F7389DAD base at F7334000 Datestamp 41107eea

# 0xC0000185 (which appears several times) signals a STATUS_IO_DEVICE_ERROR, caused by improper termination or defective cabling on SCSI devices, or two devices attempting to use the same IRQ. Well, this lappy doesn’t have any SCSI devices… so that’s a bit baffling.

Hope that hotfix arrives soon.

Higher Ed

Posted on by
1

The Commercial Appeal this morning covers a new approach to developmental (remedial) courses in our state’s community colleges and universities.  I was shocked, however, at the opening statement:

More than half of all students who enter college in Tennessee are not academically prepared and require at least one remedial course, according to the Tennessee Board of Regents. The problem is growing.

Further down, the article clarifies that 70% of the students enrolled in remedial courses are at community colleges, which is really the appropriate place for such instruction.  Given the increase in enrollment in our universities due to the lottery scholarship, most of the state’s  4-year programs can be more selective in their admissions process.

The News-Sentinel reports this morning that one-third of UT’s applicants last year carried a 4.0 GPA in high school.  Some with a GPA as high as 3.5 were turned away.  At the same time, enrollment is up — so we’re getting not only more students into college, but more of the most able students are staying in-state.

There is a place for developmental coursework, which may be particularly necessary for people who start or return to college after several years in the workforce.  However, technology should be utilized wherever possible to assist in the remedial instruction, since it ought to be a refresher course for anyone enrolled.

Assuming it’s true that the skills for college-readiness and workforce-readiness are the same (as oft-stated by Gary Nixon, Executive Director of the State Board of Education), high schools are going to have to improve the delivery of instruction in the areas where remediation is most needed.  Usually, that’s math; sometimes English.  In order to do so and still graduate these students in four years, it seems rational that some of the currently required courses (wellness, for example) should be waived for those needing additional instruction in a college-readiness area.

The good and the bad

Posted on by
27

By now, many who know me in real life have figured out my secret.

goldstar goldstargoldstargoldstarFor four days (and 47 minutes) I have been smoke-free. But please, don’t treat me any differently than before. I don’t want any special accommodations.

I live in the real world, and in the real world, some people do smoke. I will NOT become an anti-smoker nazi, and I will not harass other people for smoking – in my presence or otherwise. If someone wants to quit for their own reasons, I’ll be supportive – but I won’t nag anyone who doesn’t ask my advice.

Truthfully, once I get a few weeks behind me, it is very likely that I will occasionally enjoy a big, fat cigar with a fine single-malt scotch. Since I quit for a year once before, I remember the good things: food will taste better; I don’t have to go stand in the cold several times a day (I haven’t smoked in my own house for 11 years); I won’t waste $90/month on something unproductive; I won’t have to be an outcast in public, hiding outside the door. Some of the lines on my face will soften. I can carry a smaller purse — or maybe not carry one at all.

I also remember the bad parts: my sense of smell will come back, and there are a lot of people out there who just smell bad. It’s likely that I will struggle not to regain that 30 pounds that I gained last time, which made me feel like my skin was too tight. I just hope that I can keep the bitchiness at bay, because that’s what bothered me the most. I just didn’t even like myself anymore — even a year later.

In case you’re wondering, I didn’t quit for my health (which is just fine, thank you very much). I quit because it’s inconvenient, because I’m tired of being an outcast, and because I can find better uses for the time and money that I used to spend on that habit.

This country is changing though, and I’m not at all comfortable with our movement toward a nanny state.

Next time you stop at a Golden Corral (especially the one on Clinton Highway), count the number of adults under 300 pounds – the last time we were there, it was limited to our family, and the place was packed.

This year, it’s banning smoking in “the workplace.” How long before obesity is targeted? Diabetics who eat things they shouldn’t? People who don’t eat their vegetables?

I know you don’t believe me now, but just watch and see. We seem to be forgetting what it means to be the land of the free and the brave.

Falsely Accused

Posted on by
3

On Sunday, I wrote rather harshly of Sen. Jamie Woodson’s sponsorship of a bill that would abolish the BEP Review Committee. I also e-mailed Sen. Woodson, and yesterday received her response (which I will post in its entirety if she gives me permission to do so).

It seems that I falsely accused her of filing this bill because she didn’t like the outcome of the BEP Review Committee’s recommendations this year. However, she informed me that she sponsored the bill in the Senate at the request of Rep. Winningham, her counterpart (Chair of the Education Committee) in the state’s lower house. Apparently, it is common practice for the chairs of respective committees to sponsor each other’s legislation in the other house.

I admit that I didn’t know that. Naively perhaps, I thought that one only sponsored bills that one actually supports.

Sen. Woodson said that the bill will open a legislative conversation about whether the current method of advisement on education funding is the right one, and I agree that that is a conversation that might be useful. What I do not know — and do not want to speculate on at this point — is whether she feels that TACIR (specifically, Harry Green, the executive director of that body) is sufficiently unbiased to develop a new formula on system-level fiscal capacity.

I do agree that a system-level model would be more accurate in determining the fiscal capacity of local governments with school districts. However, I also recognize that local governments compete for growth on the basis of local tax rates, and that my city is in a disadvantage in that regard because of the money we put into education. For the State to make up the difference in those communities (ahem, Knox County) that could tax themselves at a higher rate but choose not to, is equally wrong.

I do hope to continue this discussion, as I believe that the answers can be found.

Why do we do that?

Posted on by
7

Women are pretty bad about scaring each other with tall tales and horror stories, when it seems we should be a little more supportive.

From 1988 to 1994, I was either pregnant or toting an infant virtually all of that time, and I think I’ve heard every possible rendition of the terrors of labor and childbirth, not making it to the hospital in time, etc. From my experience, it’s not nearly as traumatic as the storytellers painted it (although I do have a friend who delivered her third child in the bathtub, quite by accident. Mom and baby were both fine.).

Although everyone’s experience is unique, for me, childbirth was not even close to the worst thing on the pain scale. It wasn’t as bad as a migraine, and I’ve survived a number of those.

This morning, I went in for my first mammogram, and the technician seemed very anxious to dispel the myths and stories to put me at ease. No need really; I wasn’t worried. In retrospect, it’s nothing to fear — it’s less of an issue than getting your teeth cleaned.

The only bad part is that the machine is cold — but that’s not a big deal.

* * *

goldstar goldstarBTW, I’ve earned two gold stars this week for another healthy endeavor… Daco knows, RealtorChick knows, but I’m keeping it quiet for a bit longer for the sake of good luck. It just seems unfair that just about the time I finally get around to healthy self-improvement, I caught that awful cold that’s going around.

Grrrr… Traffic Lesson

Posted on by
6

Either folks on the road between 4-6 p.m. are substantially less intelligent than most, or common sense and courtesy just goes on strike at that time.

TrafficLesson Where Illinois Avenue meets the Turnpike, there are TWO left-turn lanes. Those needing to turn left can only do so during a green arrow on the traffic light.

The red cars are in the rightmost left-turn lane, and will turn into the right lane on the Turnpike. The blue cars are in the leftmost left-turn lane, and will turn into the left lane of the Turnpike.

The green arrow in the picture shows where the lanes split off, and behind that point, it’s unlikely that any of the cars will get to turn during the relatively brief green arrow turn signal.

DO YOU SEE WHAT’S WRONG IN THIS PICTURE?

The little yellow car would like to turn left, wouldn’t mind a bit to be in the left lane, but can’t get into the leftmost left-turn lane because all the red cars are blocking the entrance to the nearly empty side of the left turn lanes.

Why? If there’s plenty of room in one of the lanes and almost none in the other, why not move over and make efficient use of the available left turn lanes?

The lady in the little yellow car is getting pretty angry as she watches the light cycle through, missing the whole thing, as the left lane sits empty. Not a good way to end the day.

Acquisition

Posted on by
5

MousemobileIt’s been our tradition to start looking for an appropriate “learn to drive” vehicle toward the end of the 14th year, so that the initial driving lessons can occur on the vehicle that the teen in question will be driving.

When I heard that the Tumormobile might become available for purchase, Hubby and I were in complete agreement that an older Volvo sounds like the perfect teenager car.  Status and refinement to make her happy, but lots of metal and an outstanding safety record for our peace of mind.

Tonight, we traded paper and ink to bring home what will be Gamma’s vehicle.  She’ll get her learner’s permit in the early summer, and this is what she’ll learn on.

Since I drove it home, I can attest that it’s just perfect.  And she loves it.

Memorialized in the Senate

Posted on by
Reply

I was cruising through the newly re-vamped General Assembly website, and realized that a resolution in memory of Marshall Whisnant passed the State Senate today.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 41
By McNally
A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Marshall Whisnant of
Oak Ridge.
WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of
the passing of Marshall Whisnant; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whisnant was an exemplary public servant and consummate
professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in
numerous capacities; and
WHEREAS, Marshall Whisnant served with acumen and alacrity as the President of
Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge for nearly thirty years, in which position he earned the
respect of his peers and employees alike for the exemplary quality of his work; and
WHEREAS, a community and civic leader, Mr. Whisnant rendered sterling service as a
member of the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of Oak Ridge, Leadership
Oak Ridge, the Oak Ridge Schools Education Foundation, and the Oak Ridge Regional
Planning Commission and stood on the Board of Directors of the Roane State Community
College Foundation, a testament to his firm belief in the importance of education; and
WHEREAS, an avid tennis player, Marshall Whisnant was an active member of the Oak
Ridge Country Club and the Cedar Bluff Racquet Club; and
WHEREAS, he was also deeply devoted to his family, and he always endeavored to
remain true to family values of the highest order; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Whisnant leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in
public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen
endeavors; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that this General Assembly should pause to remember the
bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Marshall Whisnant, reflecting fondly upon his
impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage and
conviction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences
to the family of Mr. Whisnant.

Marshall was a man I admired, but also a dear friend.  On Sunday afternoons when Hubby and I used to play tennis (the least crowded time, when we hoped no one would be there to laugh at us), Marshall sat on the porch as our spectator.  He always cheered for me, the smaller, weaker underdog in that match.

“Living the examined life with courage and conviction” indeed.

Can they do that?

Posted on by
1

Just the other day, while pondering the high cost of heath care, I wondered to myself why so many medications are available by prescription only. For example, a decongestant that my doctor once prescribed for me is nothing more than pseudoephedrine and guaifenesin (both available over the counter as Sudafed and Mucinex), but the generic prescription was about $3.50 — lower than my insurance deductible. The equivalent amount purchased separately, over the counter, would be closer to $25.

I don’t mind having to sign for it, but to have to see the doctor first? It seems silly. The same could be said for silver sulfadiazine — the world’s best burn ointment, which is a really handy thing to have around.

Boots pharmacy, in London, will begin selling what’s been termed the greatest recreational drug of our time without a prescription (though with a BP check and quick medical history review by the pharmacist) on Valentine’s Day.

Obviously, there are many meds that need to remain by prescription only, but I suspect that many could be reasonably sold OTC even if they carried a signature requirement.

Now, let SK2 go to work on the comments section!

A Very Bad Idea

Posted on by
3

As I explored the new General Assembly filed bills index this morning (as discussed previously), I came across one very interesting, very bad bill on education — shockingly, sponsored by the Chairmen of the House and Senate Education Committees.

Sen. Jamie Woodson (SB627) and Rep. Les Winningham (HB694) have moved to abolish the BEP Review Committee by deleting §49-1-302(a)(4)(B) from the Tennessee Code Annotated:

(B) The [State Board of Education] shall establish a review committee for the Tennessee basic education program (BEP). The committee shall include the executive director of the state board of education, the commissioner of education, the commissioner of finance and administration, the comptroller of the treasury, the director of the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations, the chairs of the standing committees on education of the senate and house of representatives, and the director of the office of legislative budget analysis, or their designees. The board shall appoint at least one member from each of the following groups: teachers, school boards, directors of schools, county governments, municipal governments that operate LEAs, finance directors of urban school systems, finance directors of suburban school systems, and finance directors of rural school systems. The BEP review committee shall meet at least four times a year and shall regularly review the BEP components, as well as identify needed revisions, additions, or deletions to the formula. The committee shall annually review the BEP instructional positions component, taking into consideration factors including, but not limited to, total instructional salary disparity among LEAs, differences in benefits and other compensation among local education agencies, inflation, and instructional salaries in states in the southeast and other regions. The committee shall prepare an annual report on the BEP and shall provide such report, on or before November 1 of each year, to the governor, the state board of education, and the select oversight committee on education. This report shall include recommendations on needed revisions, additions, and deletions to the formula as well as an analysis of instructional salary disparity among LEAs;

The BEP Review Committee is comprised of a group deliberately specified to ensure that every point of view is represented, and their mission is to provide knowledgeable guidance on keeping the education funding formula current and effective. For example, if the average cost of textbooks doubles, that funding component should double as well.

As chairmen of the education committees, Sen. Woodson and Rep. Winningham both sit on the BEP Review Committee. This year, the committee focused exhaustively on whether to recommend a change in the fiscal capacity formula from the present 95-county model to a system-level model (several were discussed). Sen. Woodson, seeming to represent Knox County more so than her position as chair of the Education Committee, was adamantly in support of the TACIR system-level prototype that greatly benefited the four, large urban systems, but caused 67% of the school systems in the state to lose funding. It would cost Oak Ridge a staggering $2.2M.

At their final meeting on January 25, the committee admitted that they could not reach consensus on a system-level funding model, but issued a resolution urging the General Assembly to consider fiscal capacity as part of a larger discussion on adequacy. If state funding for education were adequate, equity would be a much lesser (and more easily addressable) problem.

Sen. Woodson didn’t like the outcome, so she’s moving to abolish the committee.

Jamie Woodson is a bright, capable, competent woman, but I’m gravely disappointed in her actions with regard to the BEP. As a State Senator, she is elected to represent Knox County and does so very well; as Chair of the Senate Education Committee and the corresponding seat on the BEP Review Committee, however, she is supposed to represent the interests of education in general.

I consider this bill — along with her arguments for a formula that is harmful to more than it helps — an utter failure in that regard.