Help, ran out of hard drive space Part I

Laptop, hard drive, Norton Ghost, replacement hard drive, backup

With all of the music, videos, and pictures we save these days it is very easy to run out of hard drive space very quickly. Especially on a laptop, due to the fact that it’s not possible to add a secondary hard drive in to a laptop.

First off always make sure you do have a backup of those important files. I can not stress this enough, make backups on DVD’s or CD if nothing else purchase an external usb hard drive for 100$ and copy the stuff you know you want to keep.

This will show you how to replace a hard drive in a laptop with out having to reinstall the operating system (XP home in this case), and the applications that you have installed. I understand you have your computer set up the way you want it all you need is more space on the current drive. That is what this will attempt to show you.

**** Disclaimer: This is how I have replaced hard drives in the past. I make no recommendations, warranties, or guarantees to the software or the method of doing this to your computer. Proceed at your own risk. Remember I suggested you backup everything you want on separate media. If you are not comfortable with any part of what is presented here. Contact a Certified Technician and have them do it for you. ****

My wife has been complaining about running out of space on her HP Pavilion zt3000. This is a good laptop, utilizing Intel’s Centrino Pentium M processor, a 60GB hard drive, originally came with 512MB memory upgraded to 1GB, 15.4 widescreen display. Like I said it’s a good machine a bit bulky for my tastes but works great for her, and is really durable the girls have dropped it several times. A glass of water has been dumped in to the keyboard. And it is still running strong (mind you I have had to disassemble it and put it back together a couple of times to keep it running).

Items you will need:

I am using Norton Ghost ver. 14.0 for this example, there are tons of other programs out there that will assist you in imaging a hard drive. Some of them require utilizing them out of the operating system, booting from a live CD in the case of Linux. And other software vendors offer various programs. I have used a very old version of Ghost before but could not get it to recognize the USB ports or the adapter in this case. Do a little time researching what is best for you but I have included a link to Amazon for the version they are selling. (if this article helps you and you want to buy Norton if you click though on the banner it is the same price but you will be buying from my associate id and this will help me continue to keep this blog updated.)



Cheap tool kit



A small kit like this can be found at any mom and pop computer store, or even at a giant like MicroCenter. Don’t spend a ton of money on this 10$ bucks can get you the small screw drivers needed to complete most disassembly and assembly on most laptops.

New Hard Drive and a way to connect it to your Laptop:



For the hard drive I went to CraigsList. Did a search in the computer stuff, someone was selling Laptop hard drives IDE 120GB for about 30$ each much cheaper than going to my local store. The USB adapter I have had for a while now but originally was purchased from MicroCenter for 15$ this is a neat little item. It will adapt full size IDE drives (including hard drives, CD drives, and DVD drives too), as well as laptop IDE drives, and SATA drives all to USB 2.0.

The computer and the hard drive attached.



Now you have every thing hooked up, (the hard drive and the adapter are keyed so the pins will only fit in one way. Its almost fool proof)

Continued On to Part II (as soon as I get it typed up)

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iPod Case For Divers

iPod Case For Divers

iPod, Dive 300, waterproof, iPod Touch, iPod classic, iPhone

This has got to be filed under the “You have got to be kidding Me” file.
PcWorld reports on Nov 10, 2008 Steven Schwankert

“The iDive is a case with waterproof headphones that allows you to take any number of iPod and iPhone models to as deep as 300 ft. . (90 meters), allowing you to listen to music and watch video in the octopus's garden.”

Steven does redeem a bit in the next sentence with “Designed for divers who need to while away hours during decompression stops”. Ok I think I could understand if these stops are longer than 10 to 20 min. But for sports divers who usually only dive up to 60 ft. down and stay down for less than an hour the decompression stop is at 10ft. (if memory serves correctly it has been 10 plus years or longer, that I have even looked at a decomp chart much less touched a tank, damn I miss that too.) and is way less than 20 min.

This nifty little item would only set you back a measly $349.99 from H20 audio, which I’m sure is nothing compared to that $229.99 iPod touch. Or for the real enthusiast that needs to make a call or surf the internet to find out what kind of sea snake that bit him on the iPhone at 100ft. down. Ok this is just me but, how the hell are you going to hear the DA DA, DA DA, of jaws sneaking up behind you when you are Jamming out to Van Halen’s Dance the night away?

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The Dreaded Flash Drive the most Dangerous IT Tool

The Flash Drive, Pen Drive, or the Thumb Drive are all names I have heard them called. These are the most dangerous tool in your IT tool box.

These little marvels of technology have made life easy for IT, the common worker, and even myself. Taking that important presentation (that is due in the morning) home is now just a plug, copy, yank, and in to your pocket on your way home in less than 30 seconds.

The drives now come in a variety of sizes that will suit almost anyone’s needs, from 1GB for $5.99 for documents, pictures, and music to 32GB $59.99 that will transport six full length DVD quality movies with room to spare for documents, pictures, and your favorite mp3’s. The larger models could even transport a mid-sized company’s entire data base containing all of their customer’s information.

There lies the problem, in an article written by Elinor Mills posted by cnet news on November 3rd 2008. British tax site goes dark after data security breach. The article outlines “The British Department for Work and Pensions shut down a consumer web site after a flash drive containing confidential passwords and source code was found in the parking lot of a pub two weeks ago, according to the Daily Mail”

Apperantly the drive was lost by one of their IT analysts (would hate to be that guy). And the data was password protected, but almost any thing could be relatively easy to crack these days. Now quite a few people are mobile and utilize laptops as well, if the company has its wits about them selves they should be using NT or XP Pro at the very least. But that is still easily bypassed as well with a Linux utilities disk but that’s a whole different article unto it self.

The question to be answered is, how often does this type of thing really happen? With the size of these devices and the relatively low cost how easy are they to loose and how much would you miss a six dollar 1GB drive?

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One iPhone per Child OIPC

Satirical off shoot from the OLPC (one laptop per child). Sorry could not resist the connection. Thursday October 30th 2008 PCWorld posted an article stating “Lower-income U.S. consumers are Flocking to Apple’s iPhone”.

The article also states that “smartphones are changing from a luxury to a necessity, according to research company ComScore Mobile.”

This has got my dander up since when is an over amped cellular phone that can play games, music, and watch videos over the internet become a necessity? I can understand the smartphone being a valuable business tool (I use one for contacts and schedules).


But come on a necessity to lower income folks. The article posts statistics of purchases grew fastest among people with annual household incomes between $25k and $50K with an 48% growth rate in that group. Now the phone cost $199 plus a $70 monthly charge from ATT with a family of 4 and say 3 of those 4 need a cell phone for one reason or another well that’s a lot of cash if you ask me per year.

With the economy in a “mild” down turn (now thats funny!) and Reuters posting “One in Five homeowners with mortgages under water”

Friday October 31st 2008 “About 7.63 million properties, or 18 percent, had negative equity in September, and another 2.1 million will follow if home prices fall another 5 percent”

So here is the crux, Question for all of you…. Is the iPhone really a necessity? With all of the hoopla with economic issues and the Government providing a 750 billion dollar bailout program?

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1984 Yamaha Venture XVZ12

Update Pulled her out ... put the battery charger on her and she started right up. Wow Great old engine. Will need a tune up but is ready to ride.

I just hate this, but having to sell one of my baby’s. She is a 1984 Yamaha Venture XVZ12.
She has 48,661 miles on the odometer, 4 cylinder (monster engine, like straddling a Volkswagen bug engine), 1200cc (pure power), full dresser, water cooled, shaft driven. For these reasons (and more) I have to let her go. First off she is much too big and powerful for me. I have ridden motorcycles for over 20 years now .. mostly dirt bikes out in the ruff. But this was something I just had to have back in 2005. I rode her for a couple of years during the nice parts of the year here in Colorado. But after hearing of some folks that have lost their lives, limbs, and memories. I just could not bring myself to continue to ride this beast. When you put the gas on she will try to throw you off (doesn’t help I don’t amount to much over 150lbs.)


Here she is befor moving her or washing her off.



Put her out their on Craigs list Denver. Had a ton (over 300) of hits in just an aternoon. Will be updating this blog as I pull her out and do some more things to get her ready for her new owner. (this really bites don’t want to let her go)

I received her in less than current condition. I rode it for 2 years and then put it in storage a year ago and have not ridden it since. (did now and she started right up and took her around the block) I have not even had the chance to knock the dust off but I did get her to startup the battery is dead and currently on the charger but with a jump she came up right to life. She was running great when she went in to storage. There are a few things I can tell you she needs. First off a bath would help, front tire should be looked at soon, the air shock seals will eventually need replacing. 2 lens covers up front for the turn signals. Some body work the plastic in some areas are cracked and need attention. There is an exaust leak on one side .. (makes it louder) and it will need either a battery or a new stator because it will not take a charge when running. At least one side of the stator is good because the bike runs great off of it I just will not stay charged. None of these items stoped me from using it daily for 2 summers.

Here is a review I found .. unfortunately I lost the link last night when my laptop decided it wanted to shut down by itself.

Yamaha's entry into the full-dress luxury touring market was the first motorcycle to be conceived from the beginning for the touring crowd. Rather than just adding a fairing to an existing machine, Yamaha engineers designed a total package. They succeeded very well. The Venture was extremely smooth and quiet, and was very comfortable. Yamaha claimed the seat was orthopedically designed for maximum comfort. The machine was also adjustable... the bars could be moved, the passenger pegs had three positions etc. This was a supreme attempt by Yamaha to oust the Goldwings from their perch as the most popular touring machine. Wet weight in 1984 was 771.5lb's.

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Darius Rucker Live Up Close and Personal. This guy has an amazing voice.

Darius Rucker hosted by KYGO at the Soiled Dove Underground on the 23 of October 2008.

This is way off topic for what I normally write about, (normal what’s normal in my life?) But this guy is amazing just truly amazing. (stealing a phrase from my daughter OMG). Had the opportunity to go to the Soiled Dove Underground in Denver last night thanks to a family member that won tickets and could not attend. Now mind you I don’t get out much so take this for what it is, and was not so keen on taking the night off of work to go see someone who sings country.

*** Tangent: I’m not much of a country guy, more of a Dave Matthews type. But my wife loves George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina, Faith and Tim, Reba, etc. and she has this habit of dragging me to these concerts and I have to put a smile on my face and act like I am having fun. Usually do have a good time but I won’t let her know that. End of Tangent. ***



First thoughts of the Soiled Dove Underground, The seating is cozy (bit cramped if you ask me) we have been to places like this a few times where you are up-close and personal with the performer (oh and the couple sitting next to you on both sides as well) The food was pretty good, we had the chicken fingers and what they call the dip duo, and a couple of cervezas. All in all it was relatively inexpensive for a night out on the town. We were very lucky to be seated next to a couple that we hit it off with, and were able to enjoy the evening with them as well.

The first act was a lady that is apparently a local performer. I give her credit as she is a singer/song writer that is trying, it was probably just me but I really could not connect with her music.

Second act came around a band of 4 gentlemen. (guys) they are locals from here in Colorado the Railbenders (not rail road related??)


These guys are really very good, most of the songs they played have a very up beat tempo to them. The lead singer/guitar Jim has a deep crisp voice that reverberates what he sings. Tyson playing the upright Bass reminds me of clips of the movie O Brother Where Art Thou? Made in 2000 thinking of the Soggy Bottom Boys. Tony on the Guitar in my opinion could keep up with the likes of Joe Satriani, he will just keep your feet moving. Grahm on the drums has a great voice too .. and where would the band be with out his percussion?? All in all they were great they played I-70 Westbound, Whiskey Rain, and another very colorful song I don’t recall the name of but had something to do with staying home getting hammered, and the wife.. well we will just leave it at that.

Finally, it was Darius Rucker’s turn on stage and Kelly Ford brought him out and the crowd went wild. Now I know I’ve heard that voice some where before. Like I said I don’t spend much time listening to country music (except for when with my wife in the car on a road trip somewhere).



Hey this guy was a part of Hootie & the Blowfish (I liked those guys)! This guy's voice is just phenomenal, amazing, more expletives than I can think of, his "wing man" of the evening, Glenn added to almost every part of the experience with his backup vocals, and sweet guitar playing.


As interlude to playing Darius would take a Q and A break after every 2 or 3 songs. He answered questions without a hitch or hick up just like if he had it all planned our. Darius is a very smooth laid back personable gentleman from his performance to his Q & A sessions. This is someone I can relate to and listen to his music. During one of the breaks someone asked to hear Darius jam for about 20 seconds. (now I’m sure the guy was wanting to hear Darius play the Guitar but what we got was far better than any expectation) Darius broke out in a vocal solo with no back up, no guitar, no music, or tempo to back him up…. Wow this actually gave me goose bumps clear crisp the actual rich baritone voice of Darius was out there for all to hear.



The evening turned out great would have been good with just listening to the Railbenders but to listen to Darius Rucker .. It made it a memorable evening.

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WOW you can make money off the Internet

This just blew me away, I now can make cash money off the internet. Ok so let me preface this with its less than $20 bucks, and it did take a month and a half to make it. But hey it’s more than I have ever made from all the surfing online that I do.

If you have read any of my other blogs you know I’m cheap (dirty word .. uum lets say frugal), and that I have not posted in a while. I am working on a couple of projects right now that I will hopefully be posting in the coming days, (I’ve just been slammed, overworked, inundated with other stuff for a few months.)

Ok so back to this whole making cash off the internet or making money online how ever you want to put it. Gomez, sounds funny huh.. yeah this guy Gomez he pays you. Well ok not so sure that there ever was a Gomez (person) but this company will pay you for using your internet bandwidth when you are using it and when your not. Like I said it’s not much and the maximum they will pay out in any one month is currently only $45. And yes with everything else in the world there is a catch, you never get anything for free there is a cost to everything.

First off … click the link. This will take you to their site. (WHOOOAA don’t click it just yet read the rest of this post first .. I haven’t started using pop ups or redirects to or any other stuff that will keep you here)

Gomez link



Once your there you will need to create an account, and then download the software. (WARNING … I don’t know what their software does, or how it does it. I use different virus software Norton, McAfee, and AVG none of these show it as a virus and none of my Adware products identify this as a threat either. So use at your own risk. I do *** End WARNING)

Once the software is installed (it utilizes java) it will ask you to put your user name in and what kind of connection you use. Their site is informative if you use a phone line to hook up to the internet but if you do I’m not sure you want you phone to be consumed by this all the time. When it starts it will say the next update will be in 15 min. They use increments of 15 min’s. So far pretty easy right .. here comes the catch,

First off to make $$ your account status must be active, not pending. I don’t have any clue how the algorithm in the program works or who makes this decision. But from what I read else where it could be tricky to be selected.

Second I am in a unique position to have a few computers (ok more than a few) at my disposal and am already paying for the electricity and the internet bandwidth. The current program pays:
Online Time Payments (per day) $0.10
Processing Time Payments (per min.) $0.0005
Referral Bonus (per Active Referral) $1.00
Min. Monthly Payment $5.00
Max. Earnings per month $45.00

So the more computers the more potential, still not that much though.

The referral is only paid out for people you send over that are selected for active too. So don’t think SPAM emails out to 3 million and you will get rich quick .. remember the max in any one month is $45.

Third if you are active. And showing earnings you need to have a PayPal account and it must have the same email address that you used for Gomez. Now at the end of the month it will show your earnings for the month on the web site.. Don’t expect to have the money deposited on the very next day. It was not until the 22nd of the next month till I saw the deposit in to the PayPal account.

You will not get rich off of this and make millions of dollars. But hey from someone who has made $$ it works .. Now I hope they don’t deactivate me for writing this article, because it will offset at least one bill I have per month lol.

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