My Day of Scandal (and Media Alert)
posted at 7:35 pm on April 15, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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It’s been a tough day here at the Morrissey household. I awoke to the sound of sniper fire in my office, forcing me to dash under the desk rather than do my normal greeting ceremony with my keyboard and a cup of coffee. After ensuring that Sinbad and the Little Admiral could conduct their show, I determined that the sounds of sniper fire came from a hard drive that had a meltdown overnight. All of my data and all of the programs necessary for my blogging and the Ed Morrissey Show had disappeared.
Embittered, I grabbed my gun and my Bible. I looked around for someone to hate, but the First Mate was the only one here — and I’m not stupid. Of course, I had to get to work, but I looked around in vain for a federal government solution to my problem, increasing my cynicism. That meant I had to fend for myself, and so I stopped clinging to my gun and Bible long enough to spend most of the morning adapting my backup laptop for the show today.
After the show was over, I took the computer back to Best Buy, which couldn’t track down the warranty information. I told them that I needed this resolved quickly, as I had some recipes on my hard drive, modified from a Baker’s Square codebook that I wanted to post as my own on Hot Air. They scoffed at the notion, saying that the drive had eaten my recipes, which might explain why it died in the first place. (I’m not a good cook.) They finally found my warranty, but their cynicism further embittered me to the point where I bought a Bible program for my computer.
Did you know that Best Buy doesn’t sell guns? Not even in my small Midwestern town?
I’ll have to rebuild the PC’s system when Best Buy replaces the hard drive. That will likely take all week. At 7 pm CT, I’ll discuss my bitterness with Rick Moran on his BTR talk show. By that time, I may find an immigrant or two to disparage as well, and I’ll have to restrain my anti-trade sentiments.
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But how many of those Vista boxes have had the drives formatted and XP or some other OS installed? According to recent whitepapers from Gartner, Forrester, etc.; most Vista boxes (in business environs) have been turned into XP boxes.
Vista is just now starting to get traction among the students where I work. XP is the main OS with OSX and Vista slugging it out for second place. A very distant second place.
Let them have at it. I’ll stick with my OpenSuse install (64-bit) running Compiz Fusion.
raz0r on April 16, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I’ve been on Windows machines since 1991. Windows 3.1 and DOS 5 (I think). I just bought a MacBook Pro last week and I have to admit, I LOVE IT! I needed a laptop and I looked into my options. For a little less I could have gotten a Windows machine w/Vista and barely enough RAM to run it. For a few hundred dollars more I got a great laptop with some pretty cool software installed. Especially iMovie.
Because of the UNIXness of the Mac OS I don’t have to worry nearly as much about virus’ and other such nonsense. I’m surprised that Linux users aren’t more on board (or at least supportive) since Linux is adapted UNIX.
Will my laptop replace my desktop? Time will tell, but my Mac is a nice addition. Microsoft really blew it with Vista and I think many more people are giving Mac a try as a result.
Ordinary1 on April 16, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Sorry folk, we have both a Vista and a new MAC and the MAC is much faster and reliable. My Vista machine uses 2/3 of the 2GB of memory I have just to operate. The MAC does have a problemn as all my existing software had to be rebought for the MAC where it exists at all and my learning curve on the machine is slow but the idea of a machine that works wicked fast (leopard)and always works is hard to discount.
In fact, the only problem has been in the Mac not working with my older HP printer (no driver that works)
JIMV on April 16, 2008 at 12:50 PM
But, unlike Vista and XP…it works
JIMV on April 16, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Step 1: Never, ever buy anything from Best Buy. Ever. Did I mention ever?
Step 2: Avoid the MacGeeks. Mac is not better.
Step 3. Do not throw away your old drive; there are hundreds of data restorations services out there that can save your data.
RightWired on April 16, 2008 at 1:46 PM
normally, i would agree, but…
it sounds like Ed had something more major happen in this case. that, and he had opened the drive to take a pic of it, so…
TheCulturalist on April 16, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Thanks for a good laugh!
Pat in NC on April 16, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Umm, because Linux is free. Your Mac OS is not.
eanax on April 16, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Not a fan of Vista, but XP works rather well — especially XP Professional. In a business setting, especially one that is a domain environment, XP is a proven and reliable OS. The use of Active Directory, from an administrative standpoint, is a real plus when managing a diverse mix of departments, users, permissions, etc. So…
eanax on April 16, 2008 at 3:10 PM
I can tell you why the hard drive crashed. You are not supposed to open the HD like that except in a class 1000 clean room. <grin>
Thanks for a very funny post
donsingleton on April 16, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Netapplications measures machines that are actually connected to the internet and in use..
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Thats a good CPU!
Only 8 Multiplier, but will Overclock to 3.2GHZ(400FSB) would be perfect.
(400FSB, is where you get the best settings for your RAM)
Are you going DDR2 or expensive DDR3?
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 4:12 PM
Do they have Onboard video that “Share system ram”?
I have Vista Ultimate, 2GB’s of ram and the memory is at 46%(with a dedicated Video Card) and thats running and Anti-Virus suite firewall and a few other things and this browser..
Vista and XP are different they use RAM differently, its different technology thats what people don’t understand, its better have the frequently used programs loaded into RAM that is faster to access than a slow hard drive that takes forever.
Whats would be the point of having 2GB-4GB’s of empty ram just sitting there doing nothing? Vista is taking advantage of it. (Superfetch)
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 4:22 PM
Even if you are on a budget you can get 4GB’s of ram(2×2GB’s)
A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $69.99
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 4:45 PM
I remember paying more than that for 256MB sticks!
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Heck 128MB dimm’s
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Already bought - it’s what’s letting me type this. Running 8GB of GSkill DDR2 1066 on a P5N-T Deluxe. She putts right along without the Q9450; I can only imagine what I’ll be able to do with. As for the OC, I was going to shoot for a 400FSB, but I would be happy with 3.0Ghz. I’m going to savage those cores with VM’s (hence the 8GB RAM and 3ware RAID).
SkinnerVic on April 16, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I’m jealous.. just wondering.. how come you went with the 780i, and not just the cheaper P35?
I like GSkill! I’m using that right now in my system(its an old Opteron s939 system with regular ddr) ;)
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:29 PM
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $144.99
MMMmmmm…
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:32 PM
BTW, the more RAM to put into your system the more resources that Vista will use(up to a point) thats the way thats its designed..
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:35 PM
BTW, the more RAM that you* put into your system the more resources that Vista will use(up to a point) thats the way thats its designed.. Thats the way that SuperFetch works..
Superfetch, analyzes how you use the computer and what programs and files you frequently use, and it keeps those programs loaded into memory(which can be accessed, and read faster than a hard drive nanoseconds compared to milliseconds)
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Like for instance loading Photoshop CS3 would start faster on Vista 64 than Vista 32 and both would load faster than Windows XP.
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:43 PM
because its already in the memory cache, on Vista it one step ahead.
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Complex and simple all at the same time. I had the following requirements:
- Running 20″ HP LP2065 x 3 = Two Video Cards
- Need to have NO fan on NB or chipset (water cooling)
- Need to run 3ware PCIe 4x card…
That leave you with only a couple options - all of which point to 3 PCIe 16x/8x slots. I opted to go with the 780i because it meets the 3 slot requirement, it’s PCI 2.0 and doesn’t need a fan on the heatpipe. The two 8800GT Superclocked Edition EVGA cards and the 3ware are happy a clams, but it sounds like a frickin Harrier Jet. I’m soooo looking forward to getting it hooked into my water cooling setup again (pulling my old Opteron 185 machine off the hoses to put on the new one). She won’t make a peep unless I’m completely whipping her, but I have this to thank for that (crazy Austrians).
SkinnerVic on April 16, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Oh you are going all out. >:}
that makes me even more jealous.. .:P
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 5:56 PM
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/679/7/
Could have just gotten Geforce GX2
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 6:02 PM
Geforce 9800 GX2
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 6:03 PM
I don’t game on it though - it’s a necessary evil on computations, SQL, OLAP and compiling work. The 9800 wasn’t released, and I don’t need that much horsepower. I just need three outputs (not SLI) and it handles itself.
I also don’t mind spending a couple dollars when I spend 9+ hours a day and it’s my livelihood. I’m gonna have to benchmark and Prime this new proc before I’m comfortable rolling as “safe” with the OC.
SkinnerVic on April 16, 2008 at 6:08 PM
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/
sure that they can give you a hand.
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 6:25 PM
other forums similar to that.. ;)
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 6:25 PM
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=1901991&enterthread=y
One Sticky
How to guide: Memtest86+, Prime95, and SP2004
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=28&threadid=2057083&enterthread=y
Sticky 2
HOWTO: Overclock C2Q (Quads) and C2D (Duals) - A Guide v1.5.2
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Good luck, I would be Happy with 400FSB 3.2GHZ(but with water may be able to get more, but would probably be unnecessary)
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Thanks! I’m partial to AnandTech’s forums for OC over the years; that said you are correct and those are good links. Getting anything more that 3.2 is “just asking for it” for what I’m doing. A mild OC (which is what it is considering water is involved) is fine by me.
I’ll drop a note here or there if I see you and I don’t venture too far off OT. TTYL!
SkinnerVic on April 16, 2008 at 7:02 PM
People on newegg are reporting getting 3.6GHZ on air with the 780i with that CPU.. (I would be more concerned with the heat of the mobo north & south bridges at those high FSB settings, the 45nm CPU can handle it 3.6ghz isn’t that high, however 3.2ghz and 400fsb would seem to be the sweet spot for the RAM time i would imagine for DDR2 ram)
Chakra Hammer on April 16, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Ed - Have your PC set up with RAID drives, to back up all data for a single drive failure.
.
…. and watch out for liberals trying to do a high-tech lynching (a democrat tradition long before Clarence Thomas.)
Right_of_Attila on April 16, 2008 at 7:53 PM
How are they going to OS fingerprint a box behind a firewall? The only thing they can rely on would be useragents from a web browser and not like that can’t be “fixed”. And no way is anyone sending logfiles to them either. I’d bet most of the Vista machines they are picking up are home users who don’t have a clue as how to lock down their boxes or format and install XP, so they stick with what shipped.
Again, in a business environment, Vista is not a player. I have more Macs than I do Vista boxes on my network (my techs wipe and install XP). I have more Linux boxes than Vista, but XP /w SP2 rules the roost with about 90% share. For now. I’m seeing a steady increase of Macs among the student and faculty.
I’ve also had a few folks I know outside of work upgrade (or purchase new) their home PCs and all of them but one went with Macs. The lone Windows person was my daughter. She got a laptop (HP) for Christmas that came with Vista. Dog slow with a gig of ram. Upped it to two and now it is tolerable. I give it a couple more months and it too shall be a penguin hangout.
From everything I’ve read (Network Computing, Windows IT Pro, eWeek, etc.), most businesses are taking a pass on Vista. Most of them plan to hold on to XP and jump to Windows 7. Others are planning to jump to another platform. I’m laying the foundation for application virtualization and Web 2.0 apps so that it doesn’t matter what is sitting at my users desk. They can blow it up and all I’ll need to do is drop a box with a browser in front of them.
Of course that brings up a whole different topic: security. Oh well, gotta go earn my keep.
raz0r on April 17, 2008 at 7:24 AM
Wait till they start shipping 64-bit apps. You’ll be asking how come they didn’t do this years ago.
raz0r on April 17, 2008 at 7:28 AM
BTW, Intel dropped the prices of CPU’s and the Q6700 with the 10x multiplier is now at the right price.
Tiger Direct has them for $259.99(GO) they were like over $500 a few days ago..
Really easy to get 3GHZ
10×300FSB
or 10×333 = 3.3GHZ
(IF you are lucky with water 10×400 4GHZ) >:D
(even if you can’t get 4GHZ and want 400FSB you can always lower the multiplier to 9)
Whats nice is the higher multiplier gives you more flexibility and it doesn’t but as much stress and heat on the northbridge.
Chakra Hammer on April 23, 2008 at 6:00 PM
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